Tag: Florida Panhandle

Jellyfish sightings prompt vigilance along Florida Panhandle

by Megan Winslow
September 5, 2024

UF/IFAS and UF Health officials shared safety tips Thursday after reports of jellyfish near the Panama City Beach shore triggered purple flag warnings for dangerous marine life. (more…) READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Bay County, Chantille Weber, Extension Bay County, First Aid, Florida Panhandle, IFAS, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Jellyfish, Marine Life, Megan Winslow, Panama City Beach, Purple Flag, Sting, UF Health, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida

Snake Watch 1st Quarter Report; 2024

by Rick O'Connor
April 17, 2024

The Snake Watch Project is one that is helping residents in the Pensacola Bay area better understand which species of snakes are most encountered, where they are encountered, and what time of year. The project began in 2022 and over the last ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant, Snakes

El Nino and This Winter Cold

by Rick O'Connor
January 26, 2024

I am sure everyone has noticed how cold this winter has been. We have had multiple days in the 20’s here in the Florida panhandle, even some snow flurries near Pensacola. I was first told this may happen by a Sea Grant colleague of mine ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Tags: Climate, Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant

2023 Pensacola Bay Snake Watch Annual Report

by Rick O'Connor
December 14, 2023

I began this project in 2022 wanting to know which of the 40 species of snakes known to inhabit the Pensacola Bay area were encountered by people. I also wanted to know where they were encountering them and what time of year. This information ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant, Snakes

Cottonmouths of Our Barrier Islands

by Rick O'Connor
December 7, 2023

I am going to end 2023 with an article on a project I hope to conduct in 2024. It will focus on insular cottonmouths and will focus on the western panhandle, though those in the eastern panhandle might be interested and could help. For obvious ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Cottonmouths, Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant, Snakes

The Elusive Gulf Sturgeon

by Rick O'Connor
November 27, 2023

Mark Twain once said – “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it.” A similar statement could be made about the Gulf Sturgeon – “Everyone talks about the Gulf sturgeon, but on one has actually seen one.” ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources
Tags: Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant, Gulf Sturgeon

Panhandle Terrapin Project 2023 Report

by Rick O'Connor
November 14, 2023

Diamondback terrapins are the only resident turtle within brackish water and estuarine systems. Their range extends from Massachusetts to Texas but, prior to 2005, their existence in the Florida panhandle was undocumented. The Panhandle ... READ MORE

Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant, Terrapins

Pensacola Snake Watch – 2023 3rd Quarter Update

by Rick O'Connor
October 27, 2023

Since last year we have been logging reports from area residents of snake encounters. The purpose of this is education. We are learning which species people most frequently encounter, what time of year different species are encountered, ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant, Snakes

Meet the Map Turtles

by Rick O'Connor
August 10, 2023

Florida has a great variety of turtles. Actually, the species richness here is higher than any other state – though Alabama may argue. Many are familiar to us. If we have not seen them, we have at least heard of them. But that may ... READ MORE

Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Panhandle, Florida Sea Grant, Map Turtles

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