Learning More About the Endangered Animals of Florida

Most people would be surprised to learn the long list of species that are on their way to becoming extinct worldwide. And we have our fair share here in the state of Florida. Currently, there are 37 endangered and 26 threatened animals of Florida.

The Sunshine State is the fourth most populous state in the US. And that large population is taking its toll on the wildlife of Florida. For our purposes here today, we will focus on just a few of the mammals, reptiles, and bird species that need special attention so we do not lose them forever.

Animals of Florida on the Endangered List

Human population growth and habitat destruction is the main reason for the decline in the populations of animals. Luckily, the state of Florida takes these matters quite seriously. There are plenty of conservation and rehabilitation facilities with measures to assist in the decline and restore our animals of Florida.

While the below animal species are perhaps the most well-known as being endangered, there are still many others in the beautiful state of Florida. Take a look at the lists here. Some you may know, and others you may not.

Mammals

Mammals are killed off, lose habitat, and are invaded by non-native species each day in Florida. It is no wonder their numbers are on the decline. That is why it is essential to know which we need to look out for. Here is a list of Florida’s endangered mammals.

Gray Bat
Key Deer
Key Largo Woodrat
West Indian Manatee
Anastasia Island Beach Mouse
Red Wolf

And perhaps one of the most critically endangered animals globally is the Florida Panther. In fact, there are believed to be only 70 to 100 in the everglades to date. And they only breed in south Florida.

Reptiles

Conservation efforts served the alligator well. It is no longer on the endangered list and has adequately restored its numbers. However, the fate of the following reptiles is yet unknown.

The Gopher Tortoise
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Eastern Indigo Snake
Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander

Birds

Does anyone ever consider the wonders of the air? The birds are really suffering in Florida. Birds of prey eat their eggs, humans cut down their trees, and fire ants kill them. Those are only a few reasons for the decline of Florida’s bird population. Here are some of the endangered birds you may or may not know.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
The Florida Scrub-jay
The Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow
The Wood Stork
Everglade Snail Kite

Why Should We Be Concerned?

Clearly, climate change is amplifying all the symptoms leading to the endangerment of our precious animal kingdom.

Give humans and animals a healthy environment to live in by caring for the planet in multiple ways.
Animals and plants are early warning signs about environmental changes and pollution that negatively affect humans and animals alike.
The preservation of endangered species encourages the development of new medicines and foods.
Losing even one species can cause a chain reaction, adversely impacting the entire circle of life.

Anyone interested in the subject of extinction should know that preventative measures and awareness can help. Two success stories that have been restored are the Canadian Geese and the American Alligator. We hope that no critter is ever on the list and all receive respect for their place in life.

So, What Can Be Done?

Unfortunately, it is too late for many animals of Florida. However, there are ways we can help keep those species around currently in decline. Here are some of the suggestions to care for these precious species.

First, become aware and involved. Visit aquariums, zoos, and conservations to learn more about these species.
Be active! Policy creation and activism are critical in keeping all our species around for good.
Anyone can volunteer in the non-native plant, animal, and river cleanups in your area.
Keep a lookout for endangered animals to prevent collisions when on the roads of Florida. And remember, habitat loss may force wildlife to move near highways and roads.
Report any violation of conservation laws and unlawful hunting to state authorities.

Through small but mighty conservation efforts, you can help preserve Florida’s endangered animals allowing future generations to enjoy them.

Learn What Critter is Invading Your Florida Home

Suppose you have ever had a critter invasion. In that case, you know that live animals can do a significant amount of damage in no time, whether they are endangered or not. But how do you know which one you hear in the night? Here are some basic signs for some of the more common wildlife entering homes in Florida.

Raccoons will sound heavy and leave larger footprints. They also defecate in a pile.
Squirrels are chatty and quick. You may hear them in the day, and they love to jump from place to place.
Rats leave grease marks along the walls, and you can often see the trail markings in the attic dust. Their droppings are scattered and larger than that of a mouse.
Mice are, of course, smaller than rats and will leave similar but smaller marks. They, too, leave grease rubs along walls and the entry point. And mice chew on wood and walls, so look for tiny chew marks.
Bats will leave a pile of bat guano.

Once you know what animal keeps you up at night, you can determine if they are on the list of threatened or endangered species and learn how to get rid of the pest. Furthermore, your local wildlife removal company will know which animals need to be dealt with professionally and which species may be on the protected lists.

World Class Wildlife Removal Helps the Animals of Florida

At World Class Wildlife Removal, we believe in the safe and humane removal of all critters wherever and whenever possible. You can count on our teams to be educated on the endangered animals in Florida. In addition, our team knows how to handle the animals we remove safely and where to take them for relocation or rehabilitation.

Obviously, the best way to get rid of unwanted guests is not to let them in. In other words, the homeowners should have our wildlife team identify entry points before they ever get near your home.

When you call World Class Wildlife Removal, our experts will examine your home and property, inform you of pest attractors around the house, and eliminate any points of entry. That is the basis of the humane way to deal with a critter invasion.

If you find nuisance wildlife in the attic, shed, basement or home, a professional company like World Class Wildlife Removal has the tools and experience to get the job done. We always aim for humane removal and identify all threatened and endangered animal species before ever relocating them. You can count on the expert handling of all critters and creatures when you call World Class Wildlife.