When people think of Florida and visiting the sights, what do they think of? For most people, it’s some combination of alligators, flamingos, manatees, and sea turtles with a sprinkling of Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, and the beaches. This episode explores the truth about iconic Florida.

Learn more:

American Flamingo - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/american-flamingo
All About Manatees- https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/facts-and-information/ .
All About Sea Turtles- https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/sea-turtle/where-to-view/

How You Can Help:

View Manatees Responsibly - https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/viewing-guidelines/
Help Keep Our Sea Turtles Safe - https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/sea-turtles/florida/faq/.
Visit Real Florida When Vacationing or Staycationing: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails OR https://www.nps.gov/state/fl/index.htm OR https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/outdoors-nature-florida-wildlife-refuges/

Sources for this Episode:

John Audubon’s journal entries - www.audubon.org/birds-of-america/american-flamingo
George Archibald McCall - www.google.com/books/edition/Letters_from_the_Frontiers/bA0EZPPKc_QC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=flamingo
Kennedy Space Center - www.kennedyspacecenter.com/blog/07/the-wild-side-of-kennedy-space-center
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge - www.fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island/visit-us/activities
Disney Wildnerness Preserve - www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve/
UF/IFAS Assessment: Coconut Palm - https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/cocos-nucifera/

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations

(Part 1) Florida's Most Recognizable Reptile: the American Alligator

Naturally FloridaBy Shannon Carnevale and Lara MilliganSep 20, 2021