Naturally Florida

In today’s episode we’re talking about Florida’s state animal, The Florida panther: where it lives, how it lives, the conservation wins that brought it back from the brink, and what each of us can do to help panthers and people coexist in a rapidly growing state 

Learn More: 

Florida Panther Program - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/  

Wildlife Watch: Learn to protect the Florida panther during critical breeding season with Ask IFAS’ bilingual guide -  https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2026/02/12/wildlife-watch-learn-to-protect-the-florida-panther-during-critical-breeding-season-with-ask-ifas-bilingual-guide/  

The Florida Panther: A Passageway to Success - https://ww...

Today, we’re discussing Florida’s state bird, the Northern Mockingbird: how it earned that title, how to recognize it, who it’s often confused with, and the meaning behind some of their behaviors.

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Today, we’re diving into what makes the sabal palmetto special—from its biology and wildlife value to its cultural history—and how Floridians can help protect and support this iconic native plant. 

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In this episode, we explain how hurricanes impact ecosystems and the wildlife that live there. We’ll discuss behaviors of wildlife before, during and after a storm, how these events impact wildlife, and what to keep in mind when it comes to encountering wildlife after a storm.  

Learn More:

• Wildlife and Storms: Hurricanes and Wildlife - https://myfwc.com/news/wildlife-and-storms/

• Are Fish Impacted by Hurricanes? https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/are-fish-impacted-hurricanes

• Hurricane Impacts on Florida’s Agriculture and Natural Resources - https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/vie...

In this episode, we explain how hurricanes cause inland flooding through extreme rainfall and connected watershed systems. We’ll discuss why Florida’s flat terrain and development patterns make inland flooding so persistent, how these events impact water quality and wildlife, and what practical steps Floridians can take to protect their homes and communities. 

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On today’s episode, we will do a deep dive into the topic ofstorm surge. What is storm surge? What are the impacts of storm surge to us and our natural systems? We will also help you understand the risk of stormsurge where you live.

Episode script reviewed by Lauren Wolf, Holly Abeels, andArmando Ubeda.

Episode recording reviewed by Stephen Mullens.

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This episode is part 1 of our summer hurricane series! Today, we're talking about how hurricanes form, why they spin, and what the "categories" mean when we talk about storms.

Also, we would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to Stephen Mullens, a fellow faculty member at the University of Florida, for reviewing our episode content for accuracy. Stephan is an expert in forecasting and impacts related to hurricanes and thunderstorms.

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Green anoles are some of Florida’s most familiar—and most overlooked—neighbors.

In this episode of Naturally Florida, we revisit our very first show from 2020 to explore what makes these little lizards so unique, how they interact with the introduced Cuban brown anole, and what you can do to help them thrive in your own backyard.

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Happy Lakes Appreciation Month!

This month, we dive into water quality and what it really means for freshwater systems. You'll hear a lot of scientific jargon this month, but we tried to define everything as we used it. This will help you talk to your local watershed, river, or lake managers!

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In this episode, we explore the unique ecology of scrub habitat in Florida. What is a scrub? Where are they located?How are they different from similar ecosystems? How does fire play a role in scrub habitats? What threats do scrub habitats face? What can you do about it? We cover this and more in this episode of Naturally Florida.  

Learn More:

• Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Scrub - https://www.fnai.org/PDFs/NC/Scrub_Final_2010.pdf

• Topographpic map, elevation, terrain - https://en-ca.topographic-map.com/map-x1rv5k/Polk-County/

• Calamintha bee (Sh...

In this episode, we'll discuss the three different species of mangroves found in Florida, their northward migration, and the critical role they play in our coastal ecosystems. We'll also share practical actions you can take to help protect these vital habitats.

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Vultures can be seen throughout Florida, whether soaring in the air or feeding on the ground, visitor or resident, we have all encountered vultures in Florida. We actually have two species of vultures in Florida, the black vulture and the turkey vulture. While they may seem clumsy and not the most attractive birds, they play a critical role in our ecosystem. Learn how to tell these two species apart and the importance of these birds to our natural world. 

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We just did an episode on trees two months ago, but they are such a critical part of our ecosystems, it’s hard not to talk about them. Today, we thought it would be fun to focus in on the oaks. Oaks are found throughout Florida and play a critical role providing ecosystem services and wildlife benefits.  Learn More:  

Florida’s Oaks - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/florida-oaks/  

The Little Oaks – Part I: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2019/07/11/the-little-oaks-part-i/  

The Little Oaks – Part II: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2019/08/12/the-little-oa...

On today's episode, you'll hear about a few of our non-native lizards and learn about the complexity of when a species may or may not be called invasive.

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While much of the country waits until late April to celebrate Arbor Day, Florida marks the occasion several months sooner. Our subtropical climate makes it safe—and even beneficial—to plant trees during the cooler, drier winter months (with proper irrigation). By doing this now, young saplings have time to develop strong root systems beforefacing the intense heat and storms of the summer season. Perhaps you recently attended an Arbor Day event, or took home a tree to plant in your yard. This episode explores Florida Arbor Day and tips for caring for your tree.

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THANK YOU to all our loyal listeners that completed our annual podcast survey! If you missed out, no worries, you can give us feedback anytime on our website or try again next year starting in the Fall when we launch our survey again.  

In this episode, we explore the world of oysters. What are they? What do they do? What happens when they die? Eastern oysters play a critical role in Florida’s estuarine habitats, supporting hundreds of species big and small. Learn all about oysters and how you can support them in this episode.

On today's episode we're talking turkey - the wild turkey, that is! Learn all about Florida's wild turkey species, their biology, and even bust a myth or two.

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In this episode, we’re diving into one of the state’s most fascinating plant groups: carnivorous plants. These spooky species have adapted to capture prey in some of Florida’s most nutrient-poor environments. We’ll talk about how they trap their meals, their role in the ecosystem, and where you can spot these unique plants across the state.

Learn More:

• Pinellas Predatory Plants - https://youtu.be/gG0XNhSnSvQ?si=_27ONm-oA3pNOHH6

• Carnivorous Plants - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/carnivorous-plants/

• Carnivorous plants – novel natives with showy flowers - https://www.fl...

Pollinators are the unsung heroes of Florida’s ecosystems, supporting the reproduction of our flowering plants in urban, suburban and natural areas. Pollinator populations are declining, and organizations are urging people to take action to support pollinators in their areas of influence. There is a lot of buzz around the topics of pollinators these days, but who are they? What are they doing? Where do they go? Find out this and more in today’s episode.  

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If the title of this episode sounds familiar, you must be a Creedance Clearwater Revival fan like Shannon is!

Well, CCR might have actually been singing about seeing the rain but on today's episode of Naturally Florida, we're talking about smelling the rain. Rather, more accurately, we're talking about the smell before the rain, also known as Petrichor.

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Snakes play a critical role in our ecosystems, keeping rodent populations in check and supplying birds of prey with an excellent food source. But our snakes are facing a new threat, an invasive parasite, Raillietiella orientalis from Asia and Africa. This worm-like crustacean, believed to have come over with the invasive Burmese Python, is infecting the respiratory system of our native snakes. It is spreading rapidly, and ongoing research is documenting its spread and impact.     Learn More:   Invasive Snake Lungworm: Raillietiella orientalis - https://invasionscience.ufl.edu/media/invasionscienceufledu/images/docs/Disease_-FactSheet_Snake_Lung_Parasite.pdf   Snake Lungworm Alliance and Mon...

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is an iconic plant of Florida, often dominating the understory of pine flatwoods habitats. Not only is saw palmetto endemic to Florida and the southeastern U.S., but it has also been referred to as a keystone species! A plant as a keystone species? YES!  

Keystone Species - a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically. 

For most of the year, saw palmetto fronds stand proud and upright showcasing their unique fan-shaped leaves with long, stiff, pointed lea...

The marsh rabbit is a medium-sized rabbit with short, rounded ears, and small feet. It is similar in appearance to the more familiar eastern cottontail rabbit but without the white color of their tail. The marsh rabbit is found in the southeastern United States from southeast Virginia (in the Dismal Swamp), along the east coast to eastern Alabama, and the Florida peninsula and the islands along the coast of Florida. There is a subspecies of the marsh rabbit, which is endangered and only found in (endemic to) the lower Florida Keys. Marsh rabbits live near freshwater and brackish marshes...

In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects.

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In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects.

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Today's episode is all about Florida's pink birds, including the iconic roseate spoonbill and American flamingo.

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In this episode, we explore the two species of skunks found in Florida. A mammal that is so unique, it recently divided from a subfamily of the weasel to become its own family, a stinky one! There is a lot to learn about these mysterious creatures. We will explore the species of life history of Florida’s skunks, where you can find them, some fun skunk behavior and more! ⁠ Learn More: 

Eastern Spotted Skunk Conservation Plan - Microsoft Word - ESS Conservation Plan July82019 (weebly.com) 

Skunks - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/skunks...

How do you feel about snakes? Not a fan? Well, while we believe snakes are friends, not foes, we recognize it may be comforting to know that the vast majority of snakes in Florida are non-venomous and largely cannot hurt you or your family. On today's episode, we go on a deep dive about Florida's venomous snakes.

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Manatees are Florida’s gentle giants and are a sight to behold. They are state and federally protected species under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 according to FWC. These gentle giants are Florida’s true natives, and we need to be respectful of these creatures when entering water ways. The goal is to actively co-exist with Florida wildlife. To properly do this we must first learn where we can find manatees, why we can find them in freshwater during the winter months, what they eat, and how...

Florida black bears have been in the news, frequently, this year! On today's episode, we chat about the Florida black bear's diet, behavior, and biology, and provide some tips for co-existing with our resident bears.

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THANK YOU to all of our loyal listeners! Has this podcast made a difference in your life?

If you live in Florida, chances are you have heard or read about “harmful algal blooms" commonly referred to as HABs. We have received many requests for an episode on this topic, so…here it is! What are algae? What is a HAB? Are all algae bad? Learn this and more...

THANK YOU to all of our loyal listeners! Has this podcast made a difference in your life?

Although fireworks are a staple for celebrations around the world, the explosives almost always contain pollutants like heavy metals, perchlorates, and aerosols, which harm air and water quality. The noise and flashes can startle many organisms, sometimes leading to nesting birds scattering, leaving their young vulnerable...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the sounds of summer. This episode’s focus is all about commonly heard frogs in Florida. We have 33 species of frog in the state. More often heard than seen, this episode features six frog species, including some basic physical and audio identification information, habitats, what you can do to help, and more!

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The creepiest, crawliest, grossest of arachnids, in our opinion, are ticks. And no, we don't feel bad calling them gross!

Tick-borne illnesses can wreak havoc on people's lives and there is still so much we don't know about them. On today's episode, learn what we DO know about ticks in Florida, the diseases they may carry, and what to do to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from ticks.

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What comes to mind when you think of summer? Hot. Beaches. No school. What about singing insects? No? Perhaps not, but we’re sure you’ve heard the sounds of summer. Nobody sounds the alarm for summer weather like our native cicadas. Find out about them and more in today’s episode.  

Learn more: 

Common Grasshoppers in Florida -  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN010  

Cicadas of Florida - ⁠https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/bugs/cicadas.htm 

Singing Insects of North America - https://orthsoc.org/sina/index.htm  

Eastern...

On today’s episode, you’ll learn about three non-venomous snake species common to residential areas in Florida. Slithering into a neighborhood near you, these common snake species are found all over Florida.

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We have all probably interacted with pine cones in some way, whether we collected them to start a bon fire, rolled them in peanut butter to create a bird feeder, or avoided them during pollen season. Pine trees produce pine cones, a unique seed with a fascinating science and ecological importance for Florida’s ecosystems.

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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.

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You’ve probably heard that habitat destruction is a common cause of population declines for many wildlife species. It’s critical for us to do what we can in our yards, neighborhoods and communities to help support wildlife by providing food, water, shelter and space. In this episode, we discuss ten tips you can consider implementing where you have influence.

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People don’t often think of Florida when they think of winter, but there is actually a lot that happens in the natural world. There are migrations happening, leaves falling, and much more! In this episode, we will explore the exciting world of winter in Florida. Learn more: Science of Fall Colors - Science of Fall Colors | US Forest Service (usda.gov) Wildlife Happenings - UFlorida Wildlife Extension at UF/IFAS (ufl.edu) Do Black Bears Hibernate? - myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/facts/hibernation/ Canada Geese (they're in parts of Florida! Peep that range map): https://www.allaboutbirds.org/gu...