Plants and Trees
Often called the “tourist tree” because its smooth, reddish bark peels away in thin layers—like it’s sunburned and constantly shedding after a day in the Florida sun.
What is a gumbo limbo?
The largest and most venomous snake in North America, it commands a chilling presence across Florida’s pine flatwoods, scrublands, and barrier islands. Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet, with some exceeding 7 feet of coiled menace, armed with highly toxic hemotoxic venom.
What is the eastern diamondback?
This bird can make sudden, tight turns, upside-down moves, and quick backward dives. Its aerial maneuvers hardly seem like flight at all, more like slipping and sliding across the air.
What is the swallow tail kite?
It wears a cozy coat of sandy tan fur, as if it’s been dusted with sunshine, and its ears and tail tip are dipped in inky black
What is a Florida Panther?
What special species lives like a little woodland household, where the family is never alone and at least three devoted helpers are always ready to lend a wing, a claw, or a kind heart.
Who is the Florida Scrub Jay?
This clever plant has a secret superpower—it makes a special potion called ceratiolin that tells other plants, “Oops, no room to grow here!” so it can have the space all to itself. Growing slowly but surely year after year, this long-living shrub can stretch so tall and wide that it might even peek over the heads of the scientists at Archbold.
What is Rosemary Scrub?
This land-loving reptile sticks to dry habitats like forests and pine flatwoods - even though its capable of swimming. With bold yellow facial stripes and three elongated claws on its hind feet for digging, you’ve basically got a tiny, stubborn excavator that refuses to leave dry land.
What is a Florida box turtle?
This bird lives in tree cavities and rotted out tops of cabbage palms, incessantly asking about who is doing the cooking.
What/who is the barred owl?
This naturalized citizen of Florida likes his alone time, enjoys city life as well as country living and thrives on rodents, rabbits and other small prey, (or whatever looks tasty that day).
What is the coyote?
Deep in the woods where whispering trees lean close and the air feels a little wild and secretive, there stands a simple, timeworn cabin made of rough logs and dusty boards. That’s where Sticky Steve makes his home.
Where is Tiger Creek Preserve?
This magical place is ruled by grand live oak trees, their branches stretching wide like gentle giants, while southern magnolias and cabbage palms stand nearby like leafy neighbors. Twisty vines swing and epiphytes hitch cozy rides on branches.
What is a mesic hammock?
This small, shy, nocturnal amphibian of Florida’s pinelands likes to keep a low profile by day, but at night it shows off a call that sounds suspiciously like a thumbnail being dragged across a comb.
What is the southern chorus frog?
Named after a famous indigenous Chief, these birds are prized by hunters for their elusive nature and are distinguished by their dark-feathered, green-iridescent appearance and white wing barring.
What is the the Osceola Turkey?
Living only in sunny South Florida, it has wings that can stretch as wide as a ruler is long! And with their big, forward-pointing ears, they look as if they’re wearing tiny headdress.
What is the Florida Bonneted Bat?
Named for the butterfly that now lives only in memories, this special organization carries its spirit forward like a fluttering promise in the wind. It is devoted to protecting the tiny, often-overlooked invertebrates of the world—the small wonders that keep nature humming.
What is the Xerxes Society?
This flowering plant is a true adventurer—it doesn’t bother with soil down below! Instead, it happily snuggles onto sturdy tree branches, cozy fences, or even stretches out along telephone lines like a tightrope walker in a floral circus.
What is Spanish Moss?
At just 5–8 inches long, this little tree-dweller is basically a mood ring with legs—shifting from green to brown depending on temperature and sunlight. The males top it off by flashing a bright pink throat fan, as if to say, “Yes, I’m impressive—and yes, this is my best look.”
What is a green anole?
Whispers from a recent field trip tell of a boldly dressed bird making a surprise appearance! With a jaunty crest atop its head, a splash of bright red skin on its face, and a big, sturdy bill, it looks like a feathery adventurer all dressed up and ready for a grand woodland parade
What is a crested caracara?
This mischievous little troublemaker may seem entertaining, but it’s not exactly on the guest list in the Silver River neighborhood! He eats eggs and chicks and can even cause illness to humans.
What is the Rhesus macaque?
I am needed where low pine branches dip and sway,
and tall saw palmettos guard the sun’s warm play.
What am I?
What is prescribed fire?
This pretty xerophyte is a true Floridian. It doesn’t mind dry spells or salty sea breezes one bit, and you can find it thriving across sandy coastal dunes, scrubby landscapes, and pine flatwoods.
What is a prickly pear cactus?
Found meditating at the end of the burrow.
Who is the indigo snake?
This clever bird loves a crunchy insects, arthropods critters, and crunchy seeds for a snack. When springtime rolls around from April to June, it gets busy building a home unlike any other—pecking out its very own cozy nook inside a living pine tree.
What is the red-cockaded woodpecker?
Smaller than a squirrel, this nimble upland critter zips through the trees on secret missions, sneaking snacks like bird eggs and tiny nestlings. If anyone gets too close, this little acrobat pops into a series of silly handstands
What is the Eastern Spotted Skunk?
120M - 10M - 300FT
What is Lake Wales Ridge?