The invasion of the caterpillars: what are those fuzzy things doing to Florida?

White Marked Tussock Moth Fuzzy Caterpillar – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Satyashutter No, we’re not talking about lovebugs, the notorious Florida pest that arrives in droves come springtime. This is the time of year when spiky yellow and white caterpillars emerge from oak trees and cover porches and cars throughout the state. As per the Florida

500-pound python mound discovered in a Florida wetland

Python on trail – Courtesy: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 500 pounds of snakes were discovered by a team of trackers in a swamp in South Florida last month, according to the Miami Herald. A 7-foot-wide mound containing 11 pythons was found by officials on public land near Naples on February 21, according to

It might soon be against the law to let go of a balloon in Florida: Explanation of balloon release bans

Woman releasing balloons – Photo: Song_about_summer/Shutterstock.com Florida may soon impose fines for willfully launching a balloon into the sky if the state is successful in tightening its regulations around littering. It’s a component of a larger initiative that includes legislation in at least eight other states to safeguard wildlife, birds, dolphins, and turtles from ingesting

An earthquake in Florida? Questionable but science gives way

Earthquake occurred near Merritt Island, home to Kennedy Space Center (Pictured) — Courtesy: Shutterstock — NaughtyNut Understandably, Floridians were dubious when they learned that Wednesday night’s earthquake occurred off the east coast. On Florida’s Space Coast, sonic booms, tremendous rumblings that can be heard almost 40 miles away when large rockets take off, and trailing

Red tide caused Florida to lose $2.7 billion in only one year

Red Tide algae bloom in the ocean – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Alfred Rowan Due to a decline in tourism, Florida’s poisonous red tide has resulted in losses of billions of dollars in just one year. According to a recent research by the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management published in

Amidst an ongoing mortality crisis, about 1,000 manatees gathered at a record-breaking number at a Florida state park

Manatees Close-Up Portrait – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Andrea Izzotti Manatees in Florida have been fighting for their lives for the past few years, but a few days ago, the species provided a piece of more positive news from one state park. A few dozen miles north of Orlando, in Blue Springs State Park,

New study identifies several potential invasive species in Florida

Invasive species alert sign — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Image by: Jules Johnson A study headed by scientists at the University of Florida sought to identify species that might be invasive to the state.  The group of specialists examined 460 species, comprising scientists, government entities, and nonprofits. Based on their propensity to establish and proliferate throughout

A very uncommon white alligator is born in Gatorland

White alligator born in Gatorland (Not pictured) — Courtesy: Shutterstock — You Touch Pix of EuToch A Florida park with an alligator theme has given birth to an extremely uncommon kind of white alligator and is currently asking the public for suggestions on a name. The pale leucistic gator had just broken out of its

Records are broken by sea turtle nests on U.S. beaches in Florida

Sea turtle hatchlings on beach – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Julian Wiskemann Thousands of sea turtles have spent the last few months making the arduous journey from the ocean to beaches in the United States to deposit their eggs, just as they have done for millions of years. Despite mounting concerns about the challenges

A 198-pound Burmese python was captured in Florida after it battled five men

Burmese Python in the Everglades – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Heiko Kiera While scouting for pythons at Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve, conservationist Mike Elfenbein and his teenage son noticed the longest snake they had ever seen crawling across the gravel road.  Elfenbein told CBS News, “It was more than a snake; it was