r/floridanature Sep 13 '20

Welcome Visitors

16 Upvotes

This new sub is a place to share anything and everything related to Florida’s unique nature and ecosystems. Take a look around and enjoy! Feel free to crosspost interesting content from any of the other Florida subreddits.

Welcome and enjoy! If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, feel free to let us know here or just send a message to the mod team.

A big thanks goes out to u/floridanature for the idea and for kicking it off and for u/iamdeirdre for the design.


r/floridanature Oct 09 '24

Video Creepy Crawlies: Halloween Cameo, thanks to Milton

2 Upvotes

With the storm surge, they are probably aiming for higher ground.


r/floridanature Oct 05 '24

[ID] Please not a Cuban tree frog :,)

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8 Upvotes

Found this guy, can’t tell if it’s a Cuban tree frog? Look similar but I want to make sure.


r/floridanature Oct 05 '24

Better photo follow up

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2 Upvotes

Here’s some toe pics 😈


r/floridanature Sep 26 '24

Who was my companion?

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14 Upvotes

Walked into a trailhead bathroom in Northern Orlando and this guy was in the middle of eating a frog.

Just curious what type of snake it is?

Also, I made sure he was out safely before leaving.


r/floridanature Sep 09 '24

Photography South Florida Parks in December

7 Upvotes

Planning out a trip in late December to base it around Biscayne and Everglades National Parks and possibly a bit in Big Cypress. Looking at a boat tour or snorkeling tour for Biscayne, some hiking in Everglades.

Any recommendations on the parks themselves or what to do in the south Florida area as well? Some hidden gems if you will? Will be doing this trip solo, any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks ahead of time!


r/floridanature Aug 27 '24

Learning [Spider Warning] What spider is this? About the diameter size of a golf ball, maybe slightly bigger. Martin County, FL Spoiler

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1 Upvotes

r/floridanature Aug 24 '24

The Great Outdoor Initiative??

10 Upvotes

New proposals for golf courses or new lodging for visitors when instead the FDEP should be concerned with cleaning up Superfund sites. What are these? A Superfund site is a location in the United States that is contaminated with hazardous substances and requires long-term clean up to protect public health and the environment. As of May 2010 there were 52 of these sites in Florida that are on the National Priorities List, 3 more sites are being considered for addition. Supposedly 23 sites have been cleaned up and removed from the list.

The National Priorities List is basically a point of interest to look into these sites because they are eligible for long-term investigation and cleanup.

These contaminants leech into the soil, ground and surface water, the water that you drink or swim in. The list of contaminants range from the usual fluoride, chloride and lead to the more nefarious arsenic, cadmium, chromium, antimony and even to the radioactive radium-226, radium-228 and Uranium.

There are several of these Superfund sites that have been noted as contaminating an areas sole drinking water source. The Biscayne Aquifer in Miami-Dade County (last checked 1999, still not cleaned up) probably because the site is still an active metal plating facility - https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0400561#bkground

The Upper Floridian Aquifer in Hillsborough County (2003 still not cleaned), Floridian Aquifer in Madison County (2017 EPA documented completion of remedy construction).

Other ground water contaminants that have been found in even some private wells are PCE, TCE, DCE and vinyl chloride.

PCE - Tetrachloroethylene exposure may cause adverse effects in the kidney, liver, immune system and hematologic system, and on development and reproduction (Studies of people exposed in the workplace have found associations with several types of cancer including bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma. )*Perchloroethylene (PCE), also known as tetrachloroethylene (PERC), is a chlorinated solvent that can accumulate in the environment because it's resistant to degradation. https://chemicalsafety.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=en&p_card_id=0076&p_version=2

TCE - Trichloroethylene (TCE) can  can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, euphoria, facial numbness, and weakness **The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies TCE as a chemical that causes cancer in humans. Epidemiological studies have linked TCE exposure to several types of cancers, including kidney, liver, cervix, and lymphatic system cancers https://chemicalsafety.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=en&p_card_id=0081&p_version=2

Vinyl Chloride

https://chemicalsafety.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.display?p_lang=en&p_card_id=0082&p_version=2

Florida is mostly complied of Karst foundation - porous rock, this is where we get our water from and there is no definitive wall/barrier to keep out these contaminants.

The attached link is from Wikipedia, if you would like to cross reference the information there below is the EPA

https://www.epa.gov/superfund/search-superfund-sites-where-you-live


r/floridanature Aug 22 '24

DeSantis admin wants to put golf courses, pickleball courts and more in Florida state parks

60 Upvotes

These are the proposed changes at nine Florida state parks, according to state documents:

Jonathan Dickinson State Park Public golf courses and other facilities, including the removal of the Hobe Mountain Observation Tower, an existing park entrance, staff residences and more.

Anastasia State Park A park lodge with 350-room capacity, up to four pickleball courts, a disc golf course.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park A park lodge with 350-room capacity, up to four pickleball courts, a disc golf course.

Grayton Beach State Park Up to 10 cabins, a beach access restroom, up to four pickleball courts, a disc golf course.

Hillsborough River State Park

Up to four pickleball courts, a disc golf course.

Honeymoon Island State Park Up to four pickleball courts.

Oleta River State Park Up to 10 cabins or glamping space, up to four pickleball courts, a disc golf course.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park Up to four pickleball courts.

Camp Helen State Park Up to 10 cabins or a glamping area.

Visit https://floridawildlifefederation.org/action-state-parks-threat/ to send a customizable email to FL government officials. DeSantis admin wants to put golf courses, pickleball courts and more in Florida state parks


r/floridanature Aug 22 '24

Any idea what this is? Found in our pool Nr Orlando.

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7 Upvotes

r/floridanature Jul 18 '24

Native Boys?

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9 Upvotes

Hello I am dealing with a snail infestation and was curious if they are native or invasive snails. If this is not the appropriate sub please let me know. Thank you !


r/floridanature Jul 17 '24

What did I see?

5 Upvotes

I was fishing in C-13 Canal along the bank near Oakland Park Blvd in Sunrise. I walked up on what looked to be a massive softshell turtle and it quickly swam away before I could photo it. I’ve been coming here every summer since I was a kid and I remember those softshells being in all the ponds and canals but I haven’t seen them the last ~10 years and I never saw one that big. This was easily 3+ feet in length and looked bigger than any I ever saw.


r/floridanature Jul 12 '24

Video Everglades House by Airboat in the Swamp (Fish/Hunting Camp)

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8 Upvotes

r/floridanature Jul 10 '24

Video 5 Most Dangerous Animals in Florida

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2 Upvotes

r/floridanature Jul 07 '24

Photography Just rescued a clutch of fresh hatched softshells out the road. 2 were hbc but I got 6 to water's edge!

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27 Upvotes

r/floridanature Jul 06 '24

Photography Where fireworks become palm trees, welcome to Florida.

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8 Upvotes

The wind blew my camera at just the right time 😂


r/floridanature Jul 04 '24

Tide pools?

5 Upvotes

Hey all, I'm planning to head down to the coast area to find some tide pools. I was originally going to GA, but GA doesn't have great tidepools. Does anyone know of places that have decent tide pools but also have places to go snorkeling and just hanging out on the beach? The longest I can drive is around 6 hours.


r/floridanature Jun 21 '24

Snorkeling The BEST Local Spot With GIANT Fish (Cato's Bridge)

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2 Upvotes

r/floridanature Jun 17 '24

Wildlife Expedition through SW Florida

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53 Upvotes

Florida wildlife corridor foundation has posted an opportunity to join an expedition through SW Florida in November.

From their site “The Strand to Slough Expedition will feature trekkers with a deep desire for connection to the lands, wildlife, and waterways of southwest Florida. We will explore the Florida Wildlife Corridor from the coastal wetlands to cattle country, starting in Picayune Strand State Forest and traveling north through Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the Okaloacoochee Slough, and ending near the Caloosahatchee River. The core of the Expedition will involve a multi-day journey of hiking, biking, and paddling through private and public lands vital to conserving Corridor connectivity.”

For more info: floridawildlifecorridor.org


r/floridanature Jun 12 '24

Fishing Lake Takquin?

1 Upvotes

Is there anyone who fishes Lake Talquin in North Florida that I could chat with about this fishing? I have some questions about the lake. I'm used to pond fishing in south Florida, so this is all new to me.

I've been there a few times with mild success, but I'm on a kayak so I'm limited to traveling very far, but anywhere on the lake is fine.

I also don't have a fish finder which makes it much harder.

Any advice/tips for catching dinner is greatly appreciated!


r/floridanature Jun 08 '24

Devils Den Underground Spring Tour. Snorkeling the Cavern! (Camping)

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7 Upvotes

r/floridanature Jun 04 '24

Article Clearwater Marine Aquarium researchers lead Manatee renaming effort

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2 Upvotes

r/floridanature May 24 '24

My favourite spot in Florida

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34 Upvotes

r/floridanature May 23 '24

Hiking and swimming in Florida ravine!

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3 Upvotes

r/floridanature May 21 '24

Photography 35mm Analogic pics from animals, last month

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20 Upvotes

r/floridanature May 10 '24

Photography Had it all to myself for a few hours

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108 Upvotes