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

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

Police issue a warning after seeing monkeys wandering around a Florida community

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

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

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

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.

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

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

The worst of the stench-filled sargassum invasion has not yet reached Florida beaches

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

Florida’s ancient citrus groves may be replaced by this ancient tree as farmers look for other crops

Pongamia tree (pictured) is replacing the Florida citrus tree – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Pics Man24 In Florida, an old tree from India is growing in groves where citrus trees once thrived, and it may contribute to the country’s renewable energy supply. Two deadly diseases, citrus canker and greening, have virtually destroyed much of

In the Florida Python Challenge, is it possible to kill a python with a gun? These are the guidelines

Burmese Python in the Everglades – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Heiko Kiera Killing pythons might be the answer to your quest for a $10,000 increase in wealth. Beginning in August, hunters are encouraged to euthanize as many invasive Burmese pythons as they can as part of the Florida Python Challenge. However, it is against

An endangered Bornean orangutan birth at Florida’s Busch Gardens

Cheetah Hunt rollercoaster at Busch Gardens, FL — Courtesy: Shutterstock — VIAVAL TOURS At Florida’s Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, an endangered Bornean orangutan newborn has entered the world. The young orangutan, which weighed slightly over three pounds (1.3 kilograms), was delivered by cesarean section on Saturday, according to park officials. After her surgery, Luna, the

When will Florida see its solar eclipse in 2024?

Solar eclipse – Courtesy: Shutterstock by aeonWAVE The complete solar eclipse that will occur on Monday, April 8 is only a day away. The Great North American Eclipse’s path of totality will begin in the South Pacific Ocean between Mexico and New Zealand, cross into Oklahoma from Mexico, and then proceed northeast (diagonally) across the