The Florida Panther is Florida's state animal and one of the most endangered mammals on earth. There are estimated fewer than 100 adult Florida Panthers in the only known breeding population, South Florida. In the past, the Florida Panther could be found as far north as Tennessee and South Carolina, but are now only found in the southern tip of Florida.
Florida Panthers use a variety of habitat types including forests, prairies, and swamps. They are most active between dusk and dawn. Males average around 130 pounds and females 70-75 pounds. Florida Panther lifespan is 10-15 years.
Florida Panthers are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to human development as well as disease, territorial disputes, and inbreeding caused by an isolated population. Florida Panthers are listed state and federally as PROTECTED SPECIES.
The Florida Scrub-Jay is a bird that lives only in Florida. This bird is the only species of bird that restricts itself entirely to Florida. The Florida Scrub-Jay resides in high, dry scrub habitat. Unfortunately, this type of habitat is also ideal for citrus growers and developers.
The Florida Scrub-Jay has been listed as a threatened species since 1987, however, despite this listing the population has continued to decrease by 25-50%. The scrub-jays trust in humans may have lead to its downfall. Scrub-Jays are very friendly bird and will often land in a persons hand. They often stay in areas that have been developed despite the lack of food.
The key to survival of the Florida Scrub-Jay will be the development of conservation areas that house habitat for these birds.
A gopher tortoise is a land turtle that lives in an underground burrow. The live in high, dry, sansy places in Florida. Some of these areas may include longleaf pine sandhills, scrub, pine flatwoods, dry prairies, and coastal dunes.
Gopher tortoise populations are concentrated in the coastal plains of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. These populations have declined 60-80 percent in the last century. The Gopher Tortoise is currently classified in Florida as a "species of special concern", but is expected to be reclassified as threatened.
A permit is required by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to posses, transport, or relocates gopher tortoises. FWC requires relocation of gopher tortoises from development sites. Often times this means finding a habitat conservation site.
A Sand Skink is a small, shiny grayish-white lizard. They live on the sandy ridges of Central Florida from Marion County south to Highlands County. The Sand Skink spends most if its time "swimming" below the surface of these sandy ridges.
Sand Skink populations have declined due to habitat loss from agricultural and residential uses as well as from habitat degradation due to fire exclusion.
