This is also known as gulfweed. It forms large floating mats of seaweed at the surface of the ocean. These mats become a refuge for many sea creatures both big and small.
What is Sargassum weed?
100
This sponge has great commercial importance because of the softness of its skeleton. Because of this it is harvested for use as a natural "bath sponge."
What is the Sheepswool Sponge?
100
They are also called sea cows because they eat aquatic vegetation. They are relatives of the elephant. They can be found in freshwater and saltwater environments.
What is the Manatee?
100
This mollusk can be found in grass flats or sandy/mud flat areas, preys on other snails, and it is also the official state shell of Florida.
What is the Florida Horse Conch?
100
These birds feed by swinging their heads from side to side.
What is the Spoonbill?
200
Roots called "pneumatophores" allow this plant to get air even when the roots are covered by water.
What is the Black Mangrove?
200
This is not a "jellyfish" but actually a whole colony of animals called hydrozoans. The animals are on the tentacles that hang down below the float. Warning: Some tentacles grow very long (up to 33 feet) and can really hurt if you come in contact with any of them. Do NOT touch it if you see it washed up on shore and stay clear of it in the water.
What is the Portuguese Man-of-War?
200
These fish have been known to be attracted to shiny objects in the water that resemble prey.
What is the Barracuda?
200
This mollusk has a single "volcano" shaped shell. They are found attached to rocks in intertidal areas.
What is the Limpet?
200
These two birds have greenish yellow and yellowish green legs.
What are the Ring-billed Gull and the Great Blue Heron?
300
This plant is important because it helps keep a dune in place by holding the sand particles together with its long roots. In fact, the roots can grow up to 30 feet long!
What are Sea Oats?
300
It can be found on rocky bottoms, coral reefs. It is generally found in calm areas on the back side of reefs.
What is the Sea Whip?
300
These fish are common in estuaries; they are known as "bait-stealers," although their mouth is quite small.
What are Pinfish?
300
This mollusk has special skin cells called chromatophores. These cells help it to quickly change color and blend in with their surroundings.
What is the Squid?
300
This bird doesn't have oil glands to help waterproof its feathers, so it sits and spreads out its feathers to dry.
What is the Anhinga?
400
This plant forms thick carpets on the higher parts of a beach but can also be found in salt marsh areas. It is edible but tastes quite salty!
What is Sea Purslane?
400
It grows on exposed areas of the coral reef and can be closer to the waters' surface than many other corals. It is brownish yellow with lighter tips.
What is Elkhorn Coral?
400
This fish makes a grunting sound when caught. It is found around reefs and pilings.
What is the White Grunt?
400
This filter-feeding mollusk forms reefs that are ecologically important because they provide a home for many animals such as mud crabs, barnacles, worms, shrimp, etc.
What is the Oyster?
400
These reptiles commonly nest on Florida's beaches between April and August.
What is the Loggerhead turtle?
500
It is the state tree of Florida.
What is the Cabbage Palm?
500
These creatures are found on sandy beaches of Florida where they dig holes above the high tide line. They usually feed at night along the water's edge.
What is the Ghost Crab?
500
These fish live on the bottom under rocks, shells, etc. in seagrass beds, bays, and estuaries. They are also known as "oyster crackers" because their powerful jaws can crush oysters.
What is the Toadfish?
500
These small, colorful clams make their home on Florida's sandy beaches. They burrow in the sand between waves and are eaten by birds, crabs, etc.
What is the Coquina Clam?
500
This bird drags its longer lower bill through the water to catch/scoop up food.