~The Natural State~......FLORIDA

[olena]

State Reptile

American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis


Description 6'-19'2" (1.8-5.84 m). Largest reptile in North America. Distinguished from American Crocodile by broad and rounded snout. Generally black with yellowish or cream crossbands that become less apparent with age. Large 4th tooth on bottom jaw fits into a socket in upper jaw, is not visible when mouth is closed. No curved bony ridge in front of eyes, as seen in Spectacled Caiman.
Voice During the breeding season adults produce a throaty, bellowing roar heard over considerable distance. Young give a high-pitched call: y-eonk, y-eonk, y-eonk.
Breeding Mates April to May after emerging from hibernation. In June, female builds a mound-shaped nest about 5-7' (1.5-2.1 m) in diameter and 1 1/2-3' (46-91 cm) high, of mud, leaves, and rotting organic material; deposits about 25-60 hard-shelled eggs, 3" (76 mm) long, in cavity scooped from remains near nest. The calling of hatching young prompts the female to scratch open the nest to free them. Hatchlings are 9-10" (22.8-25.4 cm) long and remain with the female for 1-3 years.
Habitat Fresh and brackish marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, swamps, bayous, and big spring runs.
Range Coastal se. North Carolina to the Florida Keys and west along the coastal plain to s. Texas; north to extreme se. Oklahoma and s. Arkansas.
Discussion Alligators are important to the ecology of their habitat. During droughts they dig deep holes, or "dens," which provide water for the wildlife community. They hibernate in dens during the winter. Diet consists of rough fishes, small mammals, birds, turtles, snakes, frogs, and invertebrates. Alligators have been relentlessly hunted for their hides and are much reduced in numbers. Under state and federal protection they are beginning to make a comeback in some areas.

 

[olena]

State Freshwater Fish

Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides


Description To 3'2" (97 cm); 22 1/4 lbs (10.1 kg). Moderately deep, robust; back olive to dark green, mottled; sides greenish yellow with dark midlateral stripe; head greenish gold. Mouth large, extends beyond posterior edge of eye. 14-15 pectoral soft rays; median fins olive; dorsal fins almost separate, 10 spines, 12-13 soft rays, 3 anal fin spines, 11 soft rays. Lateral line complete, 59-77 scales; 7-9 scale rows above lateral line, 14-17 below; no scales on bases of soft dorsal and anal fins; 24-28 caudal peduncle scale rows.
Habitat Quiet, clear to slightly turbid streams, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, often with vegetation.
Range S. Ontario south through Great Lakes, Mississippi River system, and Coastal Plain from N. North Carolina to Texas and NE. Mexico. Also introduced throughout S. Canada and United States.
Discussion The Largemouth Bass, one of the most highly sought sport fishes in the United States, is caught with live and artificial bait. It is more tolerant of warm water than the Smallmouth Bass, but at higher temperatures it becomes less active. Adults feed primarily on other fishes. The average life span is about 16 years.

 

[olena]

State Shell

Florida Horse Conch
Pleuroploca gigantea


Description 4-19" (10.2-48.3 cm) high. Spindle-shaped, large, with an elongate, conical spire; whitish-yellow, orange, or brown; covered with a thin, brown periostracum. Spire whorls angled by 8-10 strong axial ribs that form triangular knobs, and with fine spiral cords and threads; on later whorls, knobs may become very large or disappear, leaving only strong spiral cords. Columella has 2 strong spiral ridges near base. Aperture oval. Canal long, open, slightly twisted. Operculum thick, horny, oval, pointed at 1 end.
Habitat On sand and muddy sand, from low-tide level to water 20' (6.1 m) deep.
Range North Carolina to Florida and Texas.
Discussion This is the largest gastropod in our range, and one of the largest in the world. It feeds mainly on larger gastropods, such as the Tulip Shell, Lightning Whelk, and Lace Murex, and on the bivalve pen shells. It attacks gastropods by firmly holding on to the victim's operculum, preventing it from closing the aperture; the conch then inserts its proboscis and eats the soft parts of the prey. The egg masses are found on sand and consist of clusters of flattened, vase-shaped capsules that have horizontal ridges on the outside.

 

[olena]

State Wildflower

Coastal Tickseed
Coreopsis gladiata


Description The small, tubular, maroon or brown disk flowers of this short-lived perennial offer a colorful contrast with the rich-yellow ray flowers (petals) which are notched at the ends. Lance-shaped leaves are numerous on lower parts of the 2-5 ft. plant, becoming much smaller and bract-like at the top.
Flower September - October.
Habitat Moist to wet, open pinelands.
Range Coastal plain from North Carolina to Louisiana.

 

[olena]

State Saltwater Mammal

Bottle-nosed Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus


Description To 12' (3.7 m). Robust; back usually dark gray, sides lighter gray, shading to pink or white on belly; individuals vary from albino to nearly black; distinct dark cape often on head and back; old females may have spots on belly. Beak well defined but relatively short; transverse groove between forehead and snout. Dorsal fin near center of back, prominent, broad-based, falcate, tip pointed.
Similar Species Risso's Dolphin (Grampus griseus) has bulbous head with V-shaped crease. Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella plagiodon) has spots on mature individuals; snout longer. Rough-toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis) has long, sloping snout, not clearly separated from forehead.
Habitat Inshore waters including estuaries, shallow bays, waterways, and freshwater rivers; sometimes to edge of continental shelf.
Range In Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, including Gulf of Mexico. In Pacific from S. California to tropics.
Discussion The Bottlenosed Dolphin is also known as the Bottlenosed Porpoise, Gray Porpoise, Common Porpoise, and Black Porpoise. The name may be prefixed by "Atlantic" or "Pacific." These dolphins feed on a wide variety of fishes, squids, shrimps, and crabs, and often follow trawlers and other fishing boats to feed on the unwanted fish that are thrown overboard and on organisms stirred up by the nets. They are particularly adept at locating prey using echolocation, that is, projecting a sound beam and listening to the echo. They ride the bow waves of boats and even surf waves. There are many records of wild Bottlenosed Dolphins voluntarily approaching humans closely enough to be touched. While these dolphins do communicate among themselves (as probably all cetaceans do), there is no good evidence that they talk to people.

 

[olena]

Marine Mammal

Manatee
Trichechus manatus


Description Massive, torpedo-shaped, nearly hairless aquatic mammal. Grayish to blackish when wet. Tail broad, flattened, paddle- shaped. Broad head with upper lip deeply cleft and bearing stiff bristles. Front legs like large flippers, with 3 nails at end; hindlegs absent. No external ears. L 9' 10"–11' 6" (3–3.5 m), maximum about 13' (4 m); Wt 1,100 lb (500 kg), maximum about 3,500 lb (1,600 kg).
Endangered Status The Manatee is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered throughout its range in the U.S. (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas). Hunting Manatees is now prohibited in the U.S., but for many years here the Manatee was hunted for its meat and oils, and it is still heavily hunted in Mexico and Central America. Population growth and unabated tourism have meant inadvertent damage to the Manatee. Its habitat has been altered by development, and too much human activity may drive Manatees away from areas of good browse. This large animal is slow and incautious, and many individuals are injured or killed by boat propellers (in some Manatee habitats, boating is now prohibited or speeds regulated). Other dangers include the release of warm water from power plants, which may lure the animal to areas of insufficient browse, and canal lock systems, which limit access to Manatee habitat.
Similar Species Whales and dolphins have a much more fish-like form.
Breeding Mating season variable; 1 offspring produced every 2–3 years; gestation 12–14 months.
Habitat Shallow coastal waters, bays, rivers, and lakes.
Range Gulf and Atlantic coastal waters of se U.S. north to Beaufort, North Carolina. Florida’s waters have largest remaining populations. Mainly a summer migrant north of Florida.
Discussion The Manatee is a primarily nocturnal and moderately social animal that congregates in warm water in winter. It can swim quite rapidly for a short distance, but its normal cruising speed is only 1 1/2 to 4 mph (2.4–6.4 km/h). Propelling itself with undulations of the hind end of its streamlined body, the Manatee uses its flippers and tail mainly for steering and stabilization. When at rest, the animal either hangs in the water, partially supporting itself on submerged vegetation, or lies on the bottom. It can remain submerged for up to 24 minutes, but about four minutes is the normal length of submergence. The Manatee browses on aquatic vegetation, particularly water hyacinth and hydrilla, but also on a number of other species, which it grasps in its lips and bristles, using its flippers to hold loose grass blades. An adult consumes 60 to 100 pounds (27–45 kg) of food per day. The Manatee sometimes swims far up on the beach to get plants on shore, and at times may even eat acorns. In Florida, the Manatee performs a valuable service by consuming quantities of water hyacinth, which chokes many waterways. The sounds the Manatee produces include squeals, chirp-squeaks, and a high-pitched scream when frightened; the female gives an alarm call to her young. Several males may be attracted to a female in estrus, and she may mate with several of them. Born underwater, the young Manatee is immediately brought to the surface on its mother’s back; after about 45 minutes, it is gradually immersed again. Nursing takes place underwater and may continue for one to two years. Manatees cannot survive water colder than 46°F (8°C) and in winter move upriver to warm lakes or to the heated discharge from power plants. Large sharks, alligators, crocodiles, and killer whales are possible predators, at least on the young.

 

[olena]

State Bird

Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos

Description 9-11" (23-28 cm). Robin-sized. A slender, long-tailed gray bird with white patches on wings and tail.
Voice A long series of musical and grating phrases, each repeated 3 or more times; often imitates other birds and regularly sings at night. Call a harsh chack.
Habitat Residential areas, city parks, farmlands, open country with thickets, and desert brush.
Nesting 3-5 blue-green eggs, spotted with brown, in a bulky cup of sticks and weed stems in a bush or low tree.
Range Breeds from northern California, eastern Nebraska, southern Ontario, and Maritime Canada southward. Winters in southern part of range.
Discussion This bird's beautiful song is richest on warm, moonlit nights in spring, when the bird may spend hours giving amazing imitations of other species. The songs of 36 other species were recognized from the recording of one mockingbird in Massachusetts. Birds in the western part of the species' range have less musical songs and are less imitative. Mockingbirds are strongly territorial and, like a number of other birds, will attack their reflection in a window, hubcap, or mirror, at times with such vigor that they injure or kill themselves. At mating time, the male Northern Mockingbird becomes increasingly exuberant, flashing his wings as he flies up in an aerial display, or singing while flying from one song post to another. After breeding, each parent establishes and vigorously defends its own winter territory. Mockingbirds require open grassy areas for their feeding; thick, thorny, or coniferous shrubs for hiding the nest; and high perches where the male can sing and defend his territory.

 

[olena]

State Flower

Orange Blossom

The orange blossom was designated State Flower by Concurrent Resolution November 15, 1909 Legislature. It is one of the most fragant flowers in Florida. Millions of these white flowers perfume the atmosphere throughout central and south Florida during orange blossom time.
The sweet orange, like most citrus, is native to subtropical Southeast Asia. The Arabians were the first people to mention citrus in their writings, and our word for this fruit is derived from their Sanskirt name. The Moors brought these plants to Spain, where they were used medicinally and in religious services. Although the bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) reached Europe by the 1000s, the sweet orange did not arrive in India until 1330, and was planted in Versailles in 1421. Columbus transported oranges to South America in 1493, and by 1587 Cuba was covered with these beautiful trees. It was the Spanish Missionaries who brought this highly prized fruit to California, establishing the first orange groves in the 1700s.
Leaf: The leaves are shiny and leathery, oblong to elliptic, up to 4" long, and have narrow wings on their petioles (leaf stems).
Flower: Orange blossoms are white, very fragrant, and arranged in clusters of 1-6. They bloom in spring and give rise to oranges the following autumn or winter. Last year's oranges often are still on the trees when the new flowers are blooming.
Fruit: A large, round multiple of drupes that is 4 to 5 inches in diameter. The fruit is roundish, golden-yellow or tawny, and several-celled, with a fleshy, juicy pulp; the seeds white and several. The cysts in the rind are convex (L.). The fruit has a very distinctive citrus smell.
Twig: The twigs on many orange cultivars are thorny.
Bark: Bark of a greenish-brown color, having axillary spines on the branches.
Form: The sweet orange is a compact evergreen tree 20-30' tall with a rounded, symmetrical crown spreading 15-20' or so.

 

[olena]

State Tree

Sabal Palm
Sabal mexicana (Sabal texana)
Rio Grande Palmetto, Mexican Palm, Texas Palmetto

Description Tall evergreen palm with stout, unbranched trunk and very large fan-shaped leaves spreading around top.
Height: 50' (15 m).
Diameter: to 3 ' (1 m).
Leaves: 3' (1 m) long and broad. Divided into many long, narrow, pointed segments; coarse, stiff, and leathery. Very stout, long leaf stalks.
Trunk: Gray-brown, rough or ridged.
Flowers: Small, white, in large branched clusters to 3' (1 m) long.
Fruit: 1/2-3/4" (12-19 mm), one-seeded purple-black berrylike fruits, in clusters.
Habitat Floodplains, riverbanks, swamps.
Range Along the Rio Grande River, Texas and Mexico.

 

[olena]

State Animal

Florida Panther
Puma concolor coryi


Description A large, unspotted cat with a relatively small head and a long, dark-tipped tail. Generally smaller and darker than other subspecies. Tawny above, darker on midback, with black-tipped hairs; white overlaid with buff below. Dark spot at base of whiskers. Ears short and rounded, with dark backs. Legs long and heavy; feet large. Juvenile buff with black spots.L 6–7' (1.5–2.13 m); T 21–37" (53–92 cm); Ht 24-28" (59-69 cm); Wt 60–148 lb (27-67 kg). Female smaller than male.
Endangered Status The Florida Panther, a subspecies of the Mountain Lion, is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered in Florida. This wildcat, which needs isolated or undisturbed game-rich wilderness, has declined or been exterminated in many areas as its habitat was overtaken by development and its main prey, the White-tailed Deer, disappeared over much of its range. For many years, the Florida Panther was pursued by bounty hunters and persecuted as a threat to livestock. Today the Florida Panther is known to survive in only one area of Florida, in the Everglades-Big Cypress Swamp region.
Habitat Undisturbed wilderness: swamp and marshlands, woods, harwood hammocks.
Range Peninsular Florida.

 

[olena]

State Saltwater Fish

Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus


Description To 10'9" (3.3 m); 182 lbs (82.6 kg). Elongate, tapering, compressed; dark blue above, silvery below; adults have vertical rows of gold spots on sides. Snout modified to form sword; jaws with teeth. Distance from nostril to rear edge of opercle less than either sword length from nostril to tip, or pectoral fin length. Pelvic fins rodlike; dorsal fin depressible into groove, middle rays longer than greatest body depth, and longer than anterior rays. Caudal peduncle has 2 keels in adults. Scales present.
Similar Species Shortbill Spearfish (Tetrapturus angustirostris) with length of middle rays of dorsal fin about equal to greatest body depth; occurs near surface of open seas from Cape Mendocino, California, to Chile.
Habitat[/i] At surface and mid-depth in open seas.
Range In Atlantic from Rhode Island to Brazil. In Pacific from San Diego, California, to Chile.
Discussion Sailfishes grow most during their first 2 or 3 years and live to only 4 or 5 years of age. They are rarely caught off southern California, but are very popular sport fishes off Mexico.

 

[olena]

Zebra Longwing
Heliconius charitonius


Description 3-3 3/8" (76-78 mm). Wings long and narrow. Jet-black above, banded with lemon-yellow (sometimes pale yellow). Beneath similar; bases of wings have crimson spots.
Life Cycle Eggs yellow, 3/64 h x 7/256" w (1.2 x 0.7 mm). Caterpillar, to 1 5/8" (41 mm), white; 6 dark-patched rows of black, branched spines. Feeds on passion flowers (Passiflora). Mottled brown chrysalis, to 1 1/8" (28 mm), has metallic spots on sides; spiny.
Flight Multiple broods; year-round in Florida, except when colder weather occurs.
Habitat Hammocks, thick woods, and forest edges.
Range Resident from Texas to South Carolina, south through West Indies and Latin America, wandering to S. California, Great Basin, Colorado, and Great Plains.
Discussion Completely distinctive, the Zebra Longwing does not at all resemble the Zebra Swallowtail. The Zebra's usual flight is slow, feeble, and wafting, although it is able to dart quickly to shelter. Zebra Longwings roost communally at night, assembling at dusk. Hammocks and thickets throughout Everglades National Park are good places to see gatherings of these butterflies.

Previous Natural States
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
KANSAS
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Ohio
Rhode Island
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Washington
West Virginia


Previous Natural Provinces
Manitoba
Ontario
Prince Edward Island

 

[olena]

A warm destination to help thaw out some of our frozen Buds......

 

[oldkicker]

Awesome job, Heather - I've been reading along as you've been posting...great info!

We went to Seaworld Orlando in December and toured the manatee exhibit there. It's a wonderful exhibit and they do a very good job describing the plight of these incredibly beautiful and peaceful animals.

I'm warming up already!

 

[Snowwark]

This has gone a long way to help thaw me out Heather!

Is this the first state to have a state shell?

I've yet to experience the fragrance of real orange blossoms. I hope to, someday!

Wonderful as always! Thank you, Heather!

 

[olena]

It's not the first shell we've seen Kim. Rhode Island has the Quahog. This won't be the last either. I believe North Carolina also has a shell......possibly Maryland, too.....