The American Eagle
From its name bald eagle, it is the national bird of the USA, a true patriotic symbol. This species almost became extinct in the 1960s because of the pesticides used for food production. The American eagle was declared "threatened species" in the United States in 1967, then "endangered species" in 1985. It was removed from this list in 2007 and its population has quadrupled since 2009 in the country. A large number of American eagles live in Florida. This raptor is easily recognizable with its white head and brown plumage. Females are 25% larger than males and can measure up to 243 cm in wingspan, compared to 179 cm for males. It feeds mainly on fish, and sometimes on birds.
The American crocodile
It is one of the largest species of crocodiles (not to be confused with the alligator, which is very present in the Everglades): they can measure up to 7 meters long and weigh more than 1,000 kilos! American crocodiles live on average between 70 and 100 years and feed mainly on turtles, fish, crustaceans and birds that land near them on the water. Florida, and more specifically the Everglades Park, is a paradise for this species which likes to evolve in swampy areas. If you come across them, it is advisable to keep a safe distance of at least three meters: it should not consider you as a potential prey! The animal is indeed rather fast on short distances. Today, American crocodiles are not really threatened by hunting, which remains occasional. The main concerns are the destruction and the weakening of their natural habitats, especially because of the airboats used for tourist trips. However, efforts are made for the survival of the species, especially with the creation in 1980 of the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, completely north of Key Largo.
The deer of the Keys
The first Florida deer, or Key deers, were first found on Big Pine Key and No Name Key. This is the area where they primarily reside and you are encouraged to reduce your speed to 30 miles per hour. It would not be surprising if you saw a few on the roadside at the edge of the forest. These are small and particularly friendly deer. Don't feed them or try to approach them, you might panic them into recklessly crossing the road. A little patience, a good zoom... and you will get nice shots.
The manatee
It is a massive animal with a thick grey-brown skin, which can measure from 2 to 4 m long and weigh between 360 kg and 540 kg. It was formerly hunted for its fat. The manatee lives in slow-moving rivers, shallow estuaries and saltwater bays, where it feeds on aquatic vegetation. Today, there are about 6,000 manatees in Florida waters, almost double that number in the 1930s. This animal has been used as a control agent for aquatic flora. The survival of manatees is threatened by boat propellers, collisions with boats, and the destruction of their habitat. Hunger is also one of the causes of their death, as the seaweed they feed on is becoming scarcer due to pollution. Manatees are protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, although there are no laws protecting them from boat propellers or vandalism.
The brown pelican
This imposing bird has a wingspan of more than 2 meters! You will have the best chance to see pelicans on the coast, since that is where they live. It spends more than half of its life in the water! Seeing it dive to catch its preys in its large beak is an impressive sight. Pelicans have long been decimated by the use of pesticides like DDT, which seriously damaged their eggs. This pesticide was banned in Florida in 1972. Today, fishing lines and hooks are the main causes of their premature death. If their population has now become stable, protection is still necessary.
The Florida panther
Originally, panthers were found throughout the southeastern United States. But with urban development, they were eliminated. A few have still been seen in the Southwestern states, but they no longer exist in the Southeastern states, except in Florida. The Florida panther is a large, light brown cat with a long tail that can be up to six feet long. Panther families usually consist of two or three young, and panthers only procreate every two to three years. These nomadic animals, which can travel up to 20 miles a day, usually hunt deer and wild pigs, but some, especially the young, feed on small animals.
The Florida Panther Inter-agency Committee (FPIC) also works to protect them. In 1986, scientists began tracking panthers with electronic equipment to study their lifestyle. It is believed that by 1990, there were less than fifty panthers left in Florida. Scientists proved that the destruction of their habitat was partly responsible for their decline, which was also attributed to genetic causes, but also to the fact that they were poisoned with mercury by poachers, or killed on the highways by motorists in a hurry.
The Queen conch
In 1400, this large shell was used as an ornament and its trade, of little importance, was with the northern regions. In 1600, the famous conchs were used as a decorative element in the construction of houses. It was not until 1965 that the conch was again traded and began to be eaten. Its fishing was then done in an excessive way (each family had to be able to eat its conch in the pot on Sundays) and led to the beginning of a ban in 1975 to preserve the survival of the species. From this date, only the collection for family consumption was authorized. Its complete prohibition was decreed in 1980 and a protection and development program was set up.
Protected areas
There are four protected areas to visit in the Keys: the National Key Deer Refuge, the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
National Key Deer Refuge : it is located in the Lower Keys, more precisely on Big Pine Key and No Name Key. Covering an area of about 35 km², it was created in 1957 to protect theKey Deer, a subspecies of the white-tailed deer, endemic to the two islands. The best time to see them is early in the morning or late in the day. You will also encounter alligators in the Blue Hole, the refuge's water feature. The Watson and Mannillo Nature Trail, the No Name Key Trail and the Upper Sugarloaf Key Trail are great for wildlife viewing.
Key West National Wildlife Refuge: this protected area created by the Roosevelt in 1908 is located in the south of the Keys archipelago. Its 843 km² spread over 26 keys are composed of 90% of marine surface (including mangroves), which allows the protection of species such as the Florida manatee, the dolphin or various sea turtles. The Key West National Wildlife Refuge is the only place where hawksbill turtles (also called hawksbill turtles) lay their eggs in the USA. As for birds, there are 250 species (great white heron, crowned pigeon, tern, osprey, waders...). The Visitor Center located on Big Pine Key will offer you a lot of information on the fauna and flora you will meet.
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge : this reserve also located in the Lower Keys is the best place to see the Great White Heron, an imposing and majestic bird with long and thin legs. You can also observe many migratory birds from the platforms provided for this purpose.
Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge : in Key Largo, at the entrance of the Keys archipelago, this 27 km² national refuge is dedicated to the protection of the American crocodile. It is here, in the salt water mangrove, that the animal nests. The refuge is also home to seven other species: the Key Largo woodrat, Key Largo cotton mouse , Stock Island tree snail , Schaus' swallowtail butterfly ,Eastern indigo snake (the largest snake in North America), Keys tree cactus, and Florida semaphore cactus. There is also a hammock of tropical hardwoods (natural woodlands developed in swampy areas) and salt marshes.
