From Manatees to Crocodiles: Florida’s Amazing Wildlife  

Florida is a wildlife lover’s dream, home to some of the most remarkable and fascinating animals in the world. From gentle giants like manatees to ancient reptiles like alligators and crocodiles to five species of sea turtles that visit our shores, there’s no shortage of incredible creatures to discover. Some animals, like the Florida scrub jay, call Florida their only home. Others, such as the gopher tortoise, are spread across the Southeast, where they play a crucial role in keeping ecosystems thriving.

Whether you’re hiking, paddling, or exploring Florida’s beaches and parks, encountering these animals is always a memorable experience. But with great wildlife comes great responsibility! In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite Florida wildlife, where to see them, and tips for viewing them responsibly so that you can enjoy their beauty while helping to protect them for generations to come.

Table of Contents

• Florida Scrub Jay
• Limpkin
• Florida Manatee
• Key Deer
• American Alligator
• American Crocodile
• Gopher Tortoise
• Sea Turtles
• Tips for Ethical Wildlife Viewing

Florida Scrub Jay

The Florida scrub jay is Florida’s only endemic bird species—meaning you won’t find it anywhere else in the world. Don’t confuse it with a blue jay, though! While it does have some blue feathers, it’s smaller and has a grey throat. These birds are known for their curious and social personalities, often approaching humans with surprising boldness.

This incredible bird is one of 269 species found exclusively in Florida! It also happens to be my favorite! They thrive in scrub habitats, where they gather acorns and bury them for later. Believe it or not, one scrub jay can store between 6,500 and 8,000 acorns each fall!

Unlike many other bird species, Florida scrub jays don’t migrate. This makes them highly vulnerable to habitat loss due to development, which is a significant reason why they are now endangered.

My favorite spot to see them is Lyonia Preserve in Deltona, Florida. It was the first place I ever saw a scrub jay, and it’s a spot I’ve been sharing with my kids since they were little. Watching these fascinating birds in their natural habitat is an experience I’ll never forget.

Limpkin

The limpkin is a brown-and-white speckled bird that is often mistaken for a juvenile ibis—they look quite similar at first glance! These well-camouflaged birds were once hunted almost to extinction for their meat, but thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers have increased. However, they remain part of Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan.

Limpkins are slow-moving birds, helping them catch their favorite prey, like apple snails. You’ll often find them near floating vegetation along the shores of freshwater, slow-moving rivers and lakes—exactly the kind of spots where we paddle!

Limpkins are only found in Florida and South Georgia. Watching one as it wades through the water or perches on the shoreline is a special experience.

Florida Manatee

The Florida manatee is probably one of the most well-known animals associated with Florida. They are migratory and (get this!) can be found as far west as Texas (in the Gulf of Mexico) and as far north as Massachusetts during the summer months. But here in Florida, they’re a year-round sight. I’ve spotted them often while paddling, but winter is when they gather in large numbers in Florida’s springs and other warm waters.

If this section feels a little short, it’s because I’ve written an entire article devoted to manatees! Spoiler alert: they’re one of my favorite animals. Funny enough, though, it took me years to really appreciate them. Growing up in Florida, I took their existence for granted—teenage me had other interests. But now, I can’t imagine Florida’s waterways without them.

Key Deer

Even after living in Florida for 26 years and visiting for many more, I’ve never seen a Key deer! These tiny deer are only found in the Florida Keys, and while I’ve been down there a handful of times, I didn’t even know about them until a few years ago. Now they’re at the top of my must-see list!

Key Deer are a subspecies of white-tailed deer and are much smaller than their mainland relatives. By the 1950s, they were nearly extinct due to habitat loss and hunting, but conservation efforts have brought their population up to around 700–800 individuals.

Their habitat is still extremely limited, but the National Key Deer Refuge is the best place to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures. Maybe one day I’ll finally get to see one there!

American Alligator

Arguably the most notorious of all Florida wildlife, the American alligator (aka “swamp puppy”) is both captivating and fearsome. They frequently make headlines—whether for invading swimming pools and going inside post offices (yes, that actually happened!), or for rare but highly publicized attacks on people and pets. Gators are not exclusive to Florida; you can find them across the Southeastern U.S.

Alligators are pretty easy to spot, whether they’re swimming or basking in the sun. They often look like logs in the water, and I’ve frequently seen them napping lazily on the shore while paddling. Every so often, I’ll notice those unmistakable eyes just above the surface of the water. That said, I’ve yet to spot one swimming near me while I’ve been in the water—and I’m okay with that!

While it’s important to avoid interacting with any wildlife, this is especially true for alligators. Admire them from a distance and respect their space.

Speaking of wildlife to especially admire from afar…

American Crocodile

Not only does Florida have alligators, but it’s also home to the American crocodile! However, if you’re in Central Florida or further north, you won’t find crocodiles in the wild—they’re only found in South Florida.

Here’s a weird fact: alligators and crocodiles coexist in only one place in the world – FLORIDA!

Unlike alligators, crocodiles prefer salty water and are most often observed in habitats like the Everglades.

So how do you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? The easiest way is by looking at their snouts:

• Crocodile snouts are V-shaped—longer, thinner, and more pointed.
• Alligator snouts are U-shaped—shorter, wider, and more rounded.

There are other visual differences too, but these are the easiest to spot if you encounter one.

The Everglades is the best place to see American crocodiles in their natural habitat, so if you’re heading south, keep your eyes peeled!

Gopher Tortoise

The gopher tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile whose habitat spans the Southeastern U.S., from southeastern Louisiana to southern South Carolina and all the way down to Florida. These tortoises are famous for their burrowing skills, creating underground homes that provide shelter not only for themselves but for many other animals.

Gopher tortoises are a keystone species and play a critical role in maintaining their ecosystem despite their small population. Their burrows benefit countless other creatures. I’ve seen many of these cute tortoises during hikes, but I’ve come across even more of their burrows. I’ve also found them grazing on the roadside near my house, but I’ve spotted them most often at Canaveral National Seashore.

These tortoises can live for over 90 years in captivity and 40 to 60 years in the wild. Habitat loss is their biggest threat, as the sandy uplands they depend on are increasingly disappearing.

If you’re lucky enough to encounter a gopher tortoise, take a moment to appreciate how much they contribute to Florida’s ecosystems!

Sea Turtles

Florida is a vital nesting ground for five species of sea turtles, each with its own unique characteristics:

• Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
• Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)
• Kemp’s Ridley (Lepidochelys kempi)
• Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Lifespan: 40–60 years or more

Nesting: Every year, sea turtles make between 40,000 and 84,000 nests on Florida beaches from May to October.

Sea turtles are an incredible part of Florida’s coastal ecosystem, and there are so many ways to experience their magic firsthand. You can join a permitted public turtle walk, attend a public hatchling release, or watch a nest hatch success evaluation. If you prefer, you can also visit one of Florida’s many facilities that house or rehabilitate sea turtles.

I’ve been fortunate to see sea turtles in several settings—at rehabilitation centers, during a few hatchling releases, and even on one unforgettable paddle when a sea turtle popped its head out of the water right near me. WOW! It’s always a magical experience to witness these ancient creatures in person.

Tips for Ethical Wildlife Viewing

• Always maintain a respectful distance from wildlife.
• Never feed or harass animals—it’s harmful to them and can be dangerous for you.
• Respect off-limit areas and posted warning signs; they’re there to protect both you and the wildlife.
• When in doubt, ask for guidance or clarification.
• If you’re going out with a guide, research them beforehand to make sure they follow wildlife protection laws. Many of Florida’s species are protected.

I hope you learned something new about Florida wildlife and feel ready to explore it on your next visit to a state or national park. Need ideas? Check out some of my other blog posts below:

• The Florida Manatee: A Guide for Visitors
• Best Places in Florida to See Manatees This Winter!
• Explore the Best State Parks in Central Florida for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
• Your Guide to the Best Paddleboarding Locations in Central Florida
• From Theme Parks to Nature Trails: Central Florida’s Best-Kept Secrets for Family Hikes
• Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Florida Springs