Hobbies And Interests
Panther
The panther is a subspecies of the cougar and is usually a tan or hazel color with light colored belly. The panther is a carnivore, meaning it only eats meat such as hog, deer, raccoon and armadillo. Though panther poaching and hunting is against the law, it is one of the biggest reasons for its posting on the endangered species list. Many are also killed because of overpopulation of its habitat. An area of Florida called Alligator Alley is one place that panthers are often killed by moving vehicles.
Manatee
Manatees are herbivores, (plant-eating) animals that can grow to as large as 3,000 lbs. and some have been known to grow as long as 13 feet. These animals are so gentle that human beings can swim and interact with them without being in danger. Unfortunately, many manatees are killed during boating accidents, which is the reason they are on Florida's endangered species list.
Key Deer
The Key deer is the smallest version of all of the North American deer. The largest of these can be measured at only 30 inches at the shoulder and weighing as much as 75 lbs. The Key deer is an herbivore and the red mangrove is its main source of food. It is endangered because of its natural habitat being encroached upon. Other factors are ditches and attacks from dogs.
Scrub Jay
Blue in color, the Florida scrub jay lives in the oak forests of Florida. These birds eat mostly the eggs of other birds but also eat insects and, like the squirrel, eat acorns that they bury in the dirt for storage. Unfortunately, this bird's habitat is being destroyed by wildfires and drought, causing the scrub jay to be endangered.
Woodstork
The woodstork eats fish and snakes that they catch through their sense of touch. They are a type of bird that allows wind currents to carry them through the air. In the past, poaching these birds for their feathers was a big problem, causing dangerous levels of endangerment. However, though the poaching has been greatly diminished, there is a long road to recovery from the past unless their natural habitats are restored.
Scrub Lizard
Though once populated along the Gulf Coast of Florida, the scrub lizard can now only be found in central Florida and the Atlantic coast. Their endangerment is due to the overpopulation of these areas. A scrub lizard's habitat consists mostly of sand, pine scrub and oak scrub and many are calling for legal protection of these areas from construction.
Florida Alligator
Florida alligators are cold-blooded carnivores that live in low marsh areas and waterways. Alligators are common in Florida but this particular species is endangered because of poaching, which has now been alleviated due to new poaching laws and restrictions.
Leatherback Turtle
The leatherback turtle is known for its leathery shell, making it unlike other turtles that have hard shells and giving it its own separate status. Though this turtle can adapt to almost any type of warm sea, the lack of protection makes it an easy capture for predators. These animals are still illegally poached, causing their endangered status. Some zoos have tried to revive the species with little success.