It … Grape Hammock is family-owned and operated fish camp on the south end of Lake Kissimmee. Florida Black Bear Like Winnie the Pooh, Florida black bears love honey; but also honeybees, fruits, nuts, twigs and small animals. One of the most interesting birds to watch is the wood stork, the only species of stork that breeds in North America. It's thought the fierce-looking lionfish was first introduced to the waters of the western … Though they can hold their breath for an impressive 20 minutes, they regularly come up to breathe and sometimes swim at the surface of the water, where you can best spot them. Copyright 1999 - 2020 State of Florida. The American alligator is regarded as a “keystone” species in the Everglades. Watch this impressive white-feathered bird with a black head wade in the shallows looking for prey as it lowers its bill into the water, waiting for fish to bump into it. It is the most economically important hunting mammal in all of North America, and is one of the major prey animals of the Florida panther. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • Farris Bryant Building American Alligator. Florida’s most recognizable animal, the alligator can grow up to 15 ft in length and weigh around 1,000 lbs. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2019 Agency Regulatory Plan.2019 Agency Regulatory Plan. 620 S. Meridian St. • Tallahassee, FL • (850) 488-4676 These timid teddies have curved claws for climbing the trees of our national forests. You might also see them at Wekiwa Springs State Park near Orlando. The crocodile has a much narrower and pointier snout, and only lives in the southern tip of the state near saltwater or brackish environments. Come to Grape Hammock Fish Camp for the best airboat tour on Lake Kissimmee, and our guides can take you to the best wildlife watching spots in the area. You will most likely spot them sun-bathing on the shore of a lake or river, but you can also find them swimming in the water if you have a sharp eye. These rivers, swamps, and mangroves draw so many different kinds of animals because they offer something for every class of animal: shallows for fish spawning, ideal nesting conditions for birds, and a robust food chain to support large predators. when full-grown. They are one of the few species of mammals that spends their whole life swimming in water. The Florida manatee is a large, grey, round animal with a paddle-shaped tail and flippers, and it slowly cruises around springs, rivers, and mangroves chewing aquatic plants. They are one of the few species of mammals that spends their whole life swimming in water. Florida’s wetlands are some of the best bird-watching sites in the world, as exotic birds from the north along with native Florida birds share the same habitat during the winter. The American crocodile is the largest predator in the state of Florida, with the males measuring a staggering 20 ft and 2,000 lbs. The only native deer is the white-tailed deer. Once it feels the prey, it swiftly snaps its bill shut in the blink of an eye. 1400 Grape Hammock RoadLake Wales, FL 33898. The Everglades National Park isn’t the only place where you can find these exotic animals and others; you can watch alligators, wood storks, bobcats, bald eagles, and more exciting native wildlife right in Central Florida at Lake Kissimmee. Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. Lionfish. The Florida manatee is a large, grey, round animal with a paddle-shaped tail and flippers, and it slowly cruises around springs, rivers, and mangroves chewing aquatic plants. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. They are more tolerant to cold weather than other crocodilian reptiles, so you can find them throughout the state of Florida year-round. Mammals If you are in the right place at the right time, Florida has quite a few mammals that are comparatively easy to see. It is hard to mistake the manatee for any other creature because there’s just nothing else like it in fresh water. Here are some of the more exotic animals you might spy on a trip to Florida’s wetlands. While humans keep developing formerly wild environments in Florida, the wetlands in the south of the state have become a last refuge for many endangered animals. Though you might not be able to tell the difference between the American crocodile and alligator, they are easy to tell apart once you know what to look for. Stay in a cabin or trailer, fish all day, and don’t miss our famous airboat tours! Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2019 Agency Regulatory Plan. 11 Wild Animals You'll Find in Southwest Florida From bobcats to otters, here's a sampling of the wildlife you might run into in Southwest Florida. Florida’s wetlands provide the ideal habitat for hundreds of different species of birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Otters, opossums, manatees, fox squirrels, raccoons, white-tailed deer, key deer and armadillos are among the more commonly seen mammals.