Timothy Morimanno of Osceola is a Florida native and avid outdoorsman. In the following article, Morimanno looks at the unique wildlife of the state, such as rare snakes, birds and alligators, and discusses conservation efforts for keeping these local species around for decades to come.
Florida is already one of the top vacation destinations in the United States. However, there is more to see in the Sunshine State than just theme parks and beautiful beaches – many locals and visitors alike choose to explore the unique wildlife of the area.
The state of Florida is home to a variety of distinctive animals and reptiles, including five species of birds that live almost exclusively in this area. Other examples are snakes such as the Brahminy blind snake, and the alligators populating the Florida Everglades and swamps.
In this article, Timothy Morimanno of Osceola provides a list of three of these amazing creatures which demonstrate the uniqueness of Florida’s native flora and fauna and will also offer critical conservation information.
Distinctive Wildlife
Planet Earth is home to wild creatures of all shapes and sizes no matter where a traveler finds themselves on its surface.
Timothy Morimanno takes a closer look at each of these animals to find out what makes them special; and more importantly, worth protecting!
Brahminy Blind Snake
One of the most interesting faces in the serpent world belongs to the Brahminy blind snake. This snake is found throughout the state, but it is believed that the species did not originate in Florida. Instead, these snakes
likely came from southern Asia, according to the Florida Museum.
Timothy Morimanno of Osceola says that Brahminy blind snakes have no distinguishable snout, with heads that are so blunt that it is sometimes difficult to tell which end is which. The Brahminy blind snake is so reflectively black or gray in color and so small that it is common for the snake to be mistaken for an earthworm.
Despite the tiny little pointy scale that will allow observers to identify a blind snake’s tail, they are not poisonous at all and generally like to live in potted plant soil.
Alligators
Though they are not the state animal of Florida, alligators have certainly become synonymous with the location’s reputation. These large reptiles can be found in the Everglades and even the brackish water.
One interesting fact to note about the alligator is that they have four chambers in their hearts. This is different than the usual 3 chambers a reptile has, but very similar to the construction of a heart in a bird or mammal. This unique heart allows for faster metabolism.
Timothy Morimanno reports that alligators have more reflective, shiny eyes than other reptiles because of the carpet of cells in the retina of their eyes. This allows them to see in the dark, and typically, makes their eyes glow red in low light.
The Scrub Jay
The Florida Scrub Jay can only be found in southwest or central Florida. A fun fact about the Scrub Jay is that each family group has their own vocalizations, completely exclusive to other groups of the same kind of bird.
This, and their isolation, can be attributed to the fact that Florida Scrub Jay’s are considered “homebodies.” Timothy Morimanno of Osceola says that what this means is that these little birds do not like to leave the area like most other bird species do, staying in generally the location for much of their lives.
Florida Scrub Jays are smaller and not quite as striking, visually, as the common blue jay found throughout the US. However, their personalities are just as bright.
These birds are generally found in scrub oak locations such as the Scrub Ride Trail. Despite their rarity, they are not shy and are happy to sing and chirp loudly around birdwatchers.
Conservation Efforts in Florida
Because Florida is home to so many examples of unique wildlife, it is important that these creatures be protected from the dangers of environmental damage.
Timothy Morimanno reports that several unique ecosystems support wildlife of all kinds in the state, like the ones mentioned above. This includes dome swamps, flatwoods, and high bluffs. The slightest drop in pressure or climate can create an entire ecosystem change for Florida.
Some of the conservation efforts in Florida include the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative of the United States Department of Defense. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has also provided a
fund for migratory bird conservation.
In Conclusion
Timothy Morimanno of Osceola explains that not only are these examples of wildlife worth exploring, but they are also worth protecting. Conservation efforts in Florida, such as the cleaning up of trash in Florida’s waterways and grants to protect endangered wildlife, provide hope for the future of this unique environment.
