Now is a good time for a reminder to all of us about knowing safe snakes from dangerous ones. No matter how well groomed we keep our lawns, from time to time we all see snakes in our backyard. Check out this website for a wealth of information ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Natural Resources, UF/IFAS Extension, , Work & Life
Arbor Day is a tree-planting holiday that started out in 1872 in Nebraska as a proposal to help establish trees on its vast treeless plains. It was the idea of J. Sterling Morton, and over one million trees were planted on that first Arbor Day. ... READ MORE
Category: 4-H & Youth, Natural Resources
Jerry might be a cute little cartoon mouse that makes you giggle, but in real life rats and mice are no laughing matter. Rats and mice are rodent pests that enter homes for food and harborage. These rodents are not picky and will eat anything ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources
How do you react when you see a frog? Are you frightened and run away, fascinated and want to catch one, hungry and want to eat the legs, or disgusted and turn your head? Most frogs are quite important to the environment and to humans. However, ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Found in numerous locations in Florida, the Asian green mussel has become an invasive species. An invasive species is those plants and animals that are not native to an area and which have a negative impact on native species, the environment, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Water
Appearance: The gopher tortoise is a moderate-sized, terrestrial turtle, averaging 23–28 cm (9–11 in) in length. The species is identified by its stumpy, elephantine hind feet and flattened, shovel-like forelimbs adapted for digging. The ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources
by Mark E. Hostetler If you were to look at Florida from an airplane, you would see urban environments expanding into natural areas. Thousands of people are moving into Florida each year. To make room for people moving to Florida, vast areas ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
If you hear a loud buzz coming from trees in the daytime, the noise is most likely caused by cicadas. These buzzing critters make their presence known by leaving their brown exoskeletons on tree trunks and shrubs. Cicadas can be found throughout ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources
By Samantha Grenrock UF/IFAS Communications When it comes to urban planning, sometimes a bird in hand is not worth two in the bush. Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have created an online ... READ MORE
Category: Conservation, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Both lizards (anoles) and skinks are classified in a larger sense as lizards. They inhabit similar environments (tree) and both feed on insects, spiders and small invertebrates which is why we categorize them as beneficial animals. Skinks are ... READ MORE
Category: Wildlife