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
Aerial View of Florida Everglades at Sunset Hour – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by ocudrone According to recent study from the University of California, Davis, sulfur used on sugarcane crops in South Florida is seeping into wetlands of Everglades National Park, where it sets off a chemical process that turns mercury into dangerous methylmercury, which
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
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
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
Photo Credit: Anut21ng Photo/Shutterstock.com Police are cautioning locals to avoid the monkeys after they were recently seen wandering around in strange locations in central Florida. The Orange City Police Department, located in Volusia County, posted on social media that it had been notified of “multiple reports of monkey sightings” in the town. The department advised
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
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.
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
Sargassum (seaweed) pollution — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Bret Reyes There aren’t many more summer weekends left, and people are hoping that the foul-smelling sargassum seaweed that covered Florida’s beaches last year won’t return. Sargassum invaded the Sunshine State in historic numbers during the spring and summer of last year, but so far in 2024, far