Florida Wildlife Up Close
From the crystal-clear waters of our coastlines to the lush expanses of our marshlands and forests, Florida is a wildlife wonderland like no other.
Whether you’re scouting for the best spots to see flamingos or alligators in the wild, hoping to catch a glimpse of majestic manatees, experience the grace of dolphins, or even feel the thrill of swimming with sharks, we’ve got you covered.
But it doesn’t stop there! Discover which native plants can help keep mosquitoes at bay, find out the best plants to attract butterflies, and get to know the most common backyard lizards and bugs.
Plus, we’ll guide you to amazing sea turtle centers and the coolest places to kayak with manatees as well as best places to see alligators in the wild and best fishing adventures!
Coming up:
Stingrays and Sea Turtles in Florida
Swimming with stingrays is a great experience, and there are a bunch of great aquariums and parks across Florida that offer this experience. Check out our blog for details on ages, best places, what to bring and expect and more!
But if you want to swim with sea turtles in Florida, you’ll need to be a little more adventurous. We Floridians love our sea turtles and protect them fiercely! The only way you can swim with sea turtles in Florida is in the wild… and we’ve got tips on best places to find them!
Another great way to get up close to stingrays and sea turtles in at a beach! Anytime you visit the beach, you should be doing the “stingray shuffle” so you don’t accidentally step on one! But for sea turtles at the beach, you’ll want to look for nests in the sand. Hopefully they’ve been marked for protection already!
Birds in Florida and Best Birding Spots
Florida is home to tons of birds that are both native and migratory. Depending on the time of year, you’ll see (and hear) all kinds of birds including eagles, owls, spoolbills and so many more. If you’re interested in adding a little “birding” to your calendar of fun, check out our Birds in Florida posts here.
Best Alligator Viewing
Is a Florida vacation really complete without seeing alligators?! We’ve got great spots to go see them in the wild (almost guaranteed) and best attractions and theme parks where you’re guaranteed to see them up close.
Bugs, Lizards and other Creepy Crawlies
Whether you live in Florida, or just plan to visit… you WILL encounter some creep crawlies at some point and both day and night. We’ve got mosquitoes, spiders, lizards and roaches (and more)… but we’ve got the info you want to help identify, avoid, and learn more about them.
Butterflies
Florida is home to an incredible diversity of butterflies! Here’s a breakdown:
- Resident Species: Over 160 species call Florida home year-round.
- Migratory Species: Around 200 species migrate through the state, especially along the Gulf Coast.
It’s important to note that this number includes both common and rare species. Some butterflies, like the Monarch, are well-known, while others are quite rare, difficult to spot and are relying on conservation efforts to help their populations.
We’ve got information on types of butterflies to look for, plants you can plant to help butterfly populations increase and more!
Fishing, Shrimping, Stone Crab Clawing
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Manatees and Dolphins Up Close and in the Wild
coming!
Farm Animals
While Florida is known for it’s beaches and nightlife, the majority of Florida is actually quite rural. We’ve got tons of farms and ranches, and lots of farm animals including sheep, cattle, llamas, goats and chickens and so much more!
We’ve got lots of farms open to the public to visit, offering great family-friendly experiences. And we have working farms that sell fresh eggs, sheep’s milk, beef and lots more in a farmer’s market environment.
more coming!