Wetland Wildlife
Though wetlands are most often associated with waterfowl and bird species, they provide essential habitat for a wide variety of species — birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects — up to 45 percent of which are rare and endangered. The high rate of wetland loss has contributed to the endangered status of many species. Some species, such as the wood duck and muskrat, spend most of their life within wetlands, while others, such as striped bass, peregrine falcon, and deer, occasionally visit wetlands for food, water, or shelter. Those species that require wetland habitat to complete at least a portion of their life cycle are called obligate species.(1)
Why are wetlands favored by so many species? They attract wildlife for a number of reasons:(1)
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- their vegetative cover provides shelter from predators;
- they provide ideal nesting conditions for many waterfowl;
- they provide migratory birds with a safe stop-over location to rest during long migrations;
- they provide essential spawning and nursery habitat for commercially important fish and shellfish;
- many have an extensive, complex food chain that supports numerous species, including man.
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1. "A World in Our Backyard: Wetland Functions." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wetlands Division Wetlands Education Materials.
Local Field Guides
What's in your community? Map of Life Regions can generate biodiversity insights for any region on Earth. Click on the map or use the other tools to begin your search.
Threatened, Endangered, and Exotic Species
Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Animals
- List of endangered and threatened species as published in the Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
Florida's Endangered Species, Threatened Species, and Species of Special Concern
- Florida’s imperiled species that meet criteria to be listed as federally endangered, federally threatened, or State-designated Threatened.
- Fact sheets on exotic and naturalized wildlife species and breakdown of species listings by county. Includes statewide and county statistics of exotic species. Fact sheets include population estimates and explains threats to native species.
marsh rams-horn
Credit: Lyle J. Buss, UF/IFAS
Invertebrates and Insects
Freshwater Snails of Florida
Field guide with dichotomous key identification, tips for preparing specimens, and detailed information on each family.
Venomous Spiders of Florida
Guide for widow and recluse spiders of Florida including close up photos and proper identification tips.
Snook
Credit: UF/IFAS photo
Fish
Biological profiles of fish
Thorough fact sheets on Florida's fish species including explanations of taxonomy, geographic distribution, habitat, unique biology, importance to humans and conservation.
Bluegill
Credit: Duane Raver Jr.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Herpetology at the Florida Museum of Natural History
Information on frogs and toads, snakes, salamanders, lizards, sea turtles, crocodiles and alligators as well as the Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Florida.
Frogs and Toads of Florida
A guide to the 33 frog and toad species that live in Florida, including pictures and distribution information for each.
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
The USGS website has information on Amphibians and Reptiles of the Southeast United States and the Virgin Islands and the Southeastern Amphibian Research and Monitoring Program. There are also different datasets, multimedia, and other resources.
Online Guide to the Snakes of Florida
Field guide to Florida's snakes with fact sheets, pictures and comments on each species. Species are marked as harmless or venomous. Also includes a dichotomous key for help in identification.
Florida's Alligator Management Program
Information and advice on alligators from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as well as the programs they offer related to alligators.
Waterfowl and Wading Birds
Florida Waterfowl
Fact sheets on waterfowl species, habitat conservation, waterfowl surveys, hunting information and links to waterfowl identification guides. Leg band recoveries can also be reported here.
Waterbird Colony Locator
Statewide aerial survey during 26 January-25 June 1999 to locate waterbird (herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, storks, anhinga, cormorants, and pelicans) breeding colonies and estimate colony size and species composition. Search by species or county.
The Great Florida Birding Trail
Official site of the 2000-mile highway trail which unifies existing and new birding sites throughout Florida. The site includes birdwatching basics for beginners, tips for birdwatching in Florida, a calendar of events and trail guides.
Breeding Bird Atlas
This Atlas project attempted to record the breeding distributions of all bird species in the state during 1986-1991. Results are available for each species, including distribution maps and fact sheets on general characteristics, habitat and seasonal occurrences. The Atlas results can be searched by bird species or county.
Wings over Florida birding certificate program
This free awards program is designed to help beginning birdwatchers learn to identify birds within the state. Bird watchers can order an introductory birdwatching packet and earn certificates based on the number of birds they identify.
Mammals
Florida Panther Net
This official education site of our state animal includes a thorough section of facts on the panther with hunting, online games, activities, screensavers and an educator's section. The panther facts section includes several information sections with sounds, pictures and videos.
Florida Black Bear
This Florida mammal has been listed as an endangered species since 1974. The sight includes a fact sheet on the bears, a slide show and teacher curriculum guide.
Save the Manatee Club
This organization was started to involve the public in manatee conservation efforts. The site includes manatee facts, news, viewing area locations, population status information and an adopt-a-manatee program.
