Popular Florida springs are closed due to large alligator following kayakers, according to the Forest Service

Posted on by Chris J. | 1614 Views | 16 min read

Alligator Florida Everglades — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Thierry Eidenweil The U.S. Forest Service said that officials had temporarily closed one of Central Florida’s most popular springs to paddlers due to a huge alligator that is acting aggressively. About 300 miles north of Miami, in the Ocala National Forest, the Juniper Springs watercourse is affected by

Florida sets 2025 Python Challenge dates—and it could help save the Everglades

Posted on by Simcha K | 2159 Views | 11 min read

2025 Python Challenge – Burmese Pythons — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Heiko Kiera As part of a larger conservation initiative to save the Everglades from invasive Burmese pythons, Florida wildlife officials have announced the dates for the 2025 Florida Python Challenge. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

Beachgoers in Florida report seeing a sticky substance wash up on the sand

Posted on by Melissa P | 15276 Views | 9 min read

Aerial view of New Smyrna Beach, Florida – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Sky Cinema Strange balls are washing up on the coast of South Florida, so visitors to the Sunshine State might be in for a surprise. According to the Associated Press, tar balls are appearing throughout the Atlantic Ocean coast from Port Everglades

Green sea turtles that were shocked by the cold are recuperating at a marine life center in Florida

Posted on by Chris J. | 17303 Views | 8 min read

Sea turtles swimming – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Gail Johnson Green sea turtles as far south as St. Augustine are suffering from a condition called cold stunning as a result of an arctic blast that brought an unusual snowfall to northern Florida last week. After being discovered stranded in the northeastern Atlantic Coast of

Historical research indicates that Florida’s manatees are actually relatively recent arrivals

Posted on by Krystal S | 23642 Views | 26 min read

Manatee Eating Lettuce — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Mary-Kaitlyn Arnette Researchers have discovered that manatees, who have long been regarded as some of Florida’s most adored and captivating residents, are not native to the Sunshine State and arrived just like any other visitor in quest of the warm temperatures and crystal-clear seas. Scientists from George Washington

SS United States gets one step closer to becoming the “largest artificial reef in the world,” departing Philadelphia

Posted on by Krystal S | 55067 Views | 9 min read

America’s Flagship, the SS United States, pictured in Philadelphia – Courtesy: EbersonImages – Shutterstock PHILADELPHIA – It won’t be in Philadelphia, but a historic ship that still has the transatlantic speed record it established over 70 years ago might be breaking another one very soon. The contract to purchase the SS United States and turn

Florida Tech and the Brevard Zoo are conducting fresh research on rare spider monkey hugs

Posted on by Krystal S | 23383 Views | 11 min read

Spider monkey species (not pictured) at the Brevard Zoo – Photo: Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock.com Researchers from Florida Tech are examining novel social behaviors in spider monkeys at the Brevard Zoo, thanks to an unusual embrace. Strangers and non-related spider monkeys have been observed cuddling in novel pro-social behaviors that scientists have never observed previously. Due

In the Florida Python Challenge, the grand prize winner removed 20 Burmese pythons from the wild

Posted on by Krystal S | 22901 Views | 13 min read

Florida Python Challenge – Burmese Python. Photo: Vince Adam/Shutterstock.com The winner of this year’s Florida Python Challenge is officially announced. Ronald Kiger won the $10,000 grand prize. During the 10-day hunt, which was intended to raise awareness of the damage that Burmese pythons cause to the ecology, Kiger removed 20 pythons from the Florida Everglades.

A Florida county’s ambition to transform a historic ship into the biggest artificial reef in the world encounters a roadblock

Posted on by Chris J. | 22212 Views | 10 min read

Coral reef – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Goinyk Production A planned transaction involving the acquisition of a historic but aging ocean liner by a Florida county could result in the creation of the world’s largest artificial reef. However, the plan encountered a roadblock on Tuesday when Okaloosa County, a coastal community in the Florida

In Florida, more baby manatees are being discovered dead more than ever before

Posted on by Melissa P | 27910 Views | 13 min read

Manatees — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Lukasz Machowczyk Manatee deaths in Florida were at an all-time high three years ago. Their babies are also dying now. As of August 23, about 130 manatee calves had been discovered deceased in Florida this year. That is higher than any previous full year in state records going