When most people picture a bear’s diet, they imagine sharp teeth tearing into meat or raiding picnic baskets, cartoon-style. But Florida’s black bears are far more likely to be caught nibbling berries than chasing prey. In fact, they’re some of the most plant-focused bears in North America—more like giant, shaggy vegetarians with a sweet tooth. … Read more
Here in Florida, the ground never really freezes. That means squirrels are busy nearly all year—darting across sidewalks, leaping from palm to oak, and pausing on fence posts with twitching tails and bright, watchful eyes. To some, they’re just garden bandits or bird feeder thieves. But these tiny acrobats play a surprisingly enormous role in … Read more
Step outside on a sunny Florida day, and chances are you’ll catch a flicker of movement across the sidewalk or a rustle in your garden bed. A flash of green. A dash of brown. A tail slipping beneath a hibiscus leaf. Florida is crawling (quite literally) with lizards—and while some are native, many are not. … Read more
Ever wondered how you can make a real impact on Florida’s wildlife—even without being a trained biologist? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) offers incredible opportunities for everyday people to contribute to real research. Early results show citizen contributions are filling critical data gaps and helping professionals protect the state’s natural treasures. What … Read more
After a Florida storm—especially one that blows through with the force of summer winds—it’s not uncommon to find fragile remnants of the wild scattered beneath trees: a small egg lying in the grass, a damp nest tilted sideways, or, heartbreakingly, a tiny bird with feathers still forming. What should you do if you come upon … Read more
Some gardens live in the wild. Others live on windowsills. And some—quiet, magical, improbable—live in jars. There’s something timeless about a terrarium. Like a secret world behind glass, it asks only for a little light, a little mist, and a little faith. A mossy slope. A curled fern. A pebble path that might, just might, … Read more
Some of my favorite memories began when the tide went out. On quiet mornings after a storm, my dad and I would head to the shoreline—boots muddy, thermos in hand—to see what secrets the sea had left behind. Sea stars curled in tidal pools. Ancient oyster beds cracked open like fossils. The remains of forgotten … Read more
Some stories never need a spellbook. They cast their enchantment slowly—like the hush after a storm or the way grief makes time behave strangely. They work not through potions or portals, but through atmosphere, memory, and the kind of wonder that lingers long after the page is turned. This is the kind of magic I … Read more
You’ll hear it before you see it. A sharp, echoing kee-yer sails over the pines like a warning, or maybe a question. Then—there it is. Perched just above the tree line, a streak of cinnamon chest, checkered wings, and fiercely intelligent eyes: the Red-Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus), one of Florida’s most vocal—and misunderstood—birds of prey. … Read more
Tampa Bay isn’t just home to sunbathers and seagrass—it’s a living lab for some of the ocean’s most misunderstood creatures: sharks. From the sleek bull shark to the wide-eyed hammerhead, these top predators are being closely studied by scientists hoping to understand, protect, and coexist with them. How Shark Tagging Works Scientists from institutions like … Read more