Loading summary
Transcript7 lines
- [00:01]
A
Welcome to Tales from South Florida. I'm your host, Bill Monti. Actually, for this episode, we may need to alter the name of the podcast to Tales T A I L S From South Florida. Because today we're talking about animals you won't find anywhere else on Earth. Creatures that are truly, unmistakably Floridian. Some are tiny, some are elusive, and some. Well, they might startle you if you ever run into them. Because there's something about living in South Florida that sticks with you. The salt in the air, the hum of the cicadas on a summer night, or the way the Everglades seem to stretch on forever. That if you've spent any time outdoors back in the day in the fishing canals or hiking trails, or just poking around your backyard, you may have had a close encounter with some of Florida's more unique residents. So pull up a chair. Picture yourself under a shady mangrove or out on a quiet stretch of a South Florida beach, as I do my best Marlon Perkins impression and we explore Florida's wild kingdom. Let's get started.
- [01:10]
B
These are the Tales from South Florida for you, with your host, Bill Monte.
- [01:23]
A
If you grew up here, stories about something big moving just beyond the tree line, chances are it was someone referencing the Florida panther. And I mean the big feline, not the Stanley cup champions. And this is just not any wildcat. It's one of the rarest mammals in North America, and it lives right here in South Florida. Back in the 1960s and the 1970s, sightings were more rumor than reality. Folks would swear they saw one crossing a dirt road at dusk, only to be met with healthy skepticism. But they were real, and they still are. The Florida panther prefers the deep, quiet corners of the Everglades and big cypress. It's solitary and incredibly powerful. Seeing one in the wild is like catching a glimpse of a ghost. They once roamed the entire Southeast, but it's estimated that today there are only around 120 to maybe 230 adult Florida Panthers left in the wild. That's it. Habitat loss, vehicle collisions are their biggest threats. And if you've ever driven Alligator Alley at night, you know the signs, warning panther crossing. And that's not just a suggestion, folks. Slow down. In wildlife zones, one moment of inattention can wipe out an animal that represents an entire species survival. And in case you're wondering, yeah, the Florida panther is protected under the Endangered Species Act. Now let's head south. Way south down to the Florida Keys. If you've ever driven through Big Pine Key, you might have seen something that made you do a double take. A deer the size of a dog. That, my friends, is the key deer. These little guys are found nowhere else in the world. They're gentle, they're curious, they. They're surprisingly comfortable around people. Sometimes a little too comfortable. Back when locals would tell you stories of key deer wandering right up to porches looking for a snack or just checking things out. You know, a Keys mentality. It's said that if you ever locked eyes with one on a quiet Keys morning or evening, it's a moment you won't forget anytime soon. But their story is a fragile one. With such a limited habitat, they have faced real challenges over the years. It's estimated there are roughly only about 1,000 key deer remaining. Most of those can be found on Big Pine Key. They have made a bit of a comeback, but they're still vulnerable. So if you do come across one, remember, feeding key deer is illegal. It makes them dependent on humans and more likely to wander into traffic. Like the Florida panther, they too are protected under the Endangered Species act and local laws are strictly enforced. Well, now we're down south, but let's rewind even further in time, way before Miami, before the highways and air conditioning and all those comforts that we have. Our friend, the gopher tortoise has been around here for thousands of years. Yeah, it may not be exclusive to Florida any longer. It can now be found in southern portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and those are sort of Florida ish. But the entire state is considered its habitat due to populations in all 67 counties. And yes, because of our population growth and other factors here, they are listed as the state designated threatened species. So no matter where you live in the Sunshine State, you may have seen their burrows, their sandy holes in the ground that seem to appear out of nowhere. What you might not know is that those burrows, they're like underground apartments, condos. It's a little tortoise century village housing dozens of other species. And yes, in case you're wondering, this slow moving tortoise, it is actually a cornerstone of Florida's ecosystem. Kids growing up in south Florida often learn pretty quickly, don't mess with the gopher tortoise. Not just because it's protected, but because you gotta have kind of respect for it. Right? It's like seeing a living piece of history just going about its business one slow step at a time. Now, this next one might surprise you. It's the Florida scrub jay, the only bird species found exclusively in Florida. If you've ever been to a scrub habitat, here's one in Jonathan Dixon State Park a little bit up north here, you might have had one land right near you. Because they're bold, they're curious. They are maybe for their own good, almost too friendly. That kind of interaction, though, that's really kind of cool. Observing wildlife and being acknowledged by it. For many Floridians, especially those who spend time exploring natural areas, the scrub jay is a reminder that nature can be exciting and personal. And there's another bird with very specific taste. The Everglades snail kite feeds almost exclusively on apple snails. That's it. Talk about your limited menu, huh? It means its survival is tied directly to the health of the wetlands. Back in the day, you might not have known its name, but if you saw a bird gliding low over the marsh, scanning the water with purpose, pretty good chance that was the snail kite. It's a perfect example, once again of how interconnected everything is in South Florida. Change the water, vegetation, or the snail population, and suddenly this bird's entire way of life is at risk. And let's talk about something else that's small but no less important and beautiful. The Miami blue butterfly is one of the rarest insects in the United States. It was once common across South Florida. It's now found in just a few isolated areas. Yeah, if you grew up here, you might have seen one without even realizing how special it was. Bright, delicate, easy to miss. It's a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary things are the ones we overlook. Another lesser known resident is one that might give you pause due to how others of its kind are portrayed in books and films. The Florida bonneted bat. Florida's only endemic bat species. Scientists estimate just a few hundred individuals remain and live quietly in small pockets of South Florida. So a warning. Protecting old trees and natural roosting areas is critical for the survival of the bat. Even trimming certain trees can impact their survival and some other unique wildlife that deserve a mention in our podcast. The Florida mouse, the Key Largo cotton mouse, and the Key Largo woodrat, each living in very specific habitats, some with populations also in the hundreds or low thousands. And let us not overlook the cute little beach mice scattered along Florida's coast. Each subspecies tied to a narrow stretch of sand. Keep in mind that walking through dunes or undeveloped areas might seem harmless, but it can destroy the nest and burrows of the beach mice. These animals depend on fragile environments that can disappear with just a few footsteps. So walk lightly, my friends. Some more important little neighbors include the Florida Grasshopper sparrow, with fewer than 200 remaining in the wild. Fewer than 200. Let that sink in. The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow is one of the most endangered birds in North America. The Florida Sand Hill crane, While more stable, it still depends on the wetlands that are constantly under pressure from development. These birds are protected under state and federal laws, including the Endangered Species act and the Florida wildlife protections. Also worth a mention the Florida Bog Frog. Just something I like saying. The Florida Bog frog. So rare that for years scientists weren't even sure how many remained. They still don't know. The Florida Worm lizard Looks like a snake, lives underground, almost never seen. The Florida scrub lizard, another species tied tightly to disappearing scrub habitat. And there's the short tailed Kingsnake and the Key ring necked snake. Quite elusive, uniquely Florida Many of these species don't have exact population counts, but they are considered rare, threatened or data deficient, meaning they could be closer to extinction than any of us realize. So please never disturb or collect wildlife. Even small reptiles play a major role in the ecosystem. I hope I haven't forgotten any of our animal friends, but if so, please feel free to let me know by dropping me a line at talesfromsouthfloridamail.com or use the Speak Pipe link in the show Notes to leave me a free 90 second voice message. I'll be sure to update the list in a future episode if you let me know of a few of our creature friends I've forgotten. Because, you know, when you think about it, South Florida is not just beaches and palm trees. It's a living, breathing ecosystem filled with creatures that exist nowhere else on Earth. And for those of us who grew up here, these animals, they're not just part of the landscape, they're a part of our story. They're the unexpected moments, the roadside sightings, the quiet reminders that we share this place, this corner of the Sunshine State, with something wild and wonderful. I'll be back in a few moments with the first of our Florida fun facts.
- [11:08]
C
Does the news cycle make you feel like you're on a tilt, a whirl of outrage, feeling like your brain is a political pinata getting whacked 247 there's an antidote outrage Overload is the podcast where we hit the pause button on the outrage train. We dissect the headlines, peel back the layers of negativity and and explore the science behind why you keep wanting to throw your phone at the wall. Before you lose another brain cell to outrage fatigue, check out the Outrage Overload podcast@outrageoverload.net or wherever you get your podcasts
- [11:38]
A
and now it's time for Florida Fun Fact. And since today's episode is all about the animals of South Florida, did you know the only place on earth where crocodiles and alligators live together is in the wild? And in South Florida, specifically within the Everglades national park and surrounding coastal areas, the American alligator and American crocodile coexist there because it is the southern edge of the alligator's range and northern edge of the crocodile's range. While they share the same region, they generally inhabit different environments. Alligators prefer freshwater and crocodiles are found in coastal brackish saltwater environments like mangrove forest. If you want to see both of them, you can go to Shark Valley Trail in Everglades National Park. And if you don't know the difference, well, I can tell you alligators have dark U shaped snouts and crocodiles are lighter in color with narrower V shaped snouts. Doesn't matter to me, I'm running from either one. If I see one in front of me. That is another Florida Fun fact. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to subscribe or follow Tales from South Florida so that you are notified whenever new episodes become available. And if you could take a moment to like, comment, rate and share this episode and all episodes, I would appreciate it as it really does help the podcast grow and reach others who love these stories just as much as you do. As a reminder, you can find past episodes, our Spotify playlist, our YouTube channel, and and so much more at talesfromsouthflorida.com until the next time that we take a talk down memory lane together, I remind you to please be safe and be kind.
- [13:32]
B
Let's take a talk down memory lane cause the stories around here are just insane. Pirates, World, Desporto and Wolf to Palm beach to Key West. That's where we grew. These are the Tales from South Florida for you with your host, Bill Monte.
- [14:02]
A
Hello friends. Bill Monte here and I'm inviting you to join me on the podcast Bill Monte's Guide for Getting Older. Now, this is not a podcast about being old. No, it's about understanding the world we're growing older in. How we care for each other, how we protect what we've built, and how we make sense of the systems that are supposed to look out for us, especially when we need them the most. Bill Monte's Guide for Getting Older. It is available wherever fine podcast can be found and I look forward to talking with you soon.