PHOTO BY KIMBALL BEERY
sand. When the nest
hatches, the hatchlings
crawl to the water. The
Coastal Wildlife Club,
coastalwildlifeclub.org,
is a terrific source of
information on these
amazing creatures.
The loggerhead is
classified as a threatened
species and the green
turtle (which also nests on
our beaches, but is much
more rare) is endangered.
No surprise as just 1 in
1,000 loggerheads survive
to maturity.
Sea turtles are
protected by the U.S. Endangered Species
Act and the Florida Marine Turtle Protection
Act. Sea Turtle Ordinances in Charlotte, Lee,
and Sarasota counties are available from the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at
www.myfwc.com.
MANATEES
This gentle giant, sometimes called a sea
cow, is Florida’s state marine mammal. These
wrinkly gray and brown herbivores can grow
anywhere from 10 to 12 feet long and can
live up to 50 or 60 years in the wild. They
like warm, shallow waters and communicate
by squealing underwater. Manatees are slow
swimmers and are threatened by increases or
decreases in water temperatures, destruction
of their habitat, and inattentive boaters. The
manatee is on the endangered species list, and
their populations are constantly monitored.
DOLPHINS
The most common species of dolphin
living in Florida waters is the bottlenose
dolphin. These playful marine mammals
can grow from 6 to 12 feet long and live
into their 50s. Their diet consists of fish,
and some invertebrates. They are intelligent
animals that have a wide range of vocalizations
and cooperate well together. If you go
boating, they may just follow you, playing in
the wake behind your aquatic vehicle.
FISH SPECIES
Florida has over 250 different species
of freshwater fish. Most of the species are
non-native, meaning there are very few truly
native Florida fish. Families include black
bass, catfish, panfish, gar, and suckers, as
well as the American eel and tilapia. Some
species are threatened and are constantly
monitored by government organizations,
while others are either restricted or prohibited
from fishing.
There are over 1,000 species of saltwater
fish in Florida’s waters, with most of them
being edible. More than 40 of those species
have their harvest regulated, and six species
2019 9
/coastalwildlifeclub.org
/www.myfwc.com