Dahoon Holly Tree: A Festive Seasonal Beauty When I spot a tree adorned with red berries, my curiosity piques. I wonder if the berries are as tasty as they appear. My artistic instincts come alive, imagining how the branches could be used in ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Horticulture, Wildlife
Introduction Among the ten species of geckos found in Florida, only one, the Florida Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus), is native to the state, the additional ten non-native species found in the state having arrived in cargo or via the ... READ MORE
Category: HOME LANDSCAPES, UF/IFAS Extension, , Wildlife
Arguably the most popular insect in our landscape, Butterflies are beloved by all. Now everyone can easily start a Butterfly Garden to attract and raise butterflies … guaranteed! Here are two easy steps on How to Attract Butterflies and ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, HOME LANDSCAPES, UF/IFAS Extension, , Wildlife
“What are those!?”As a Florida native I take the regular presence of the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) for granted, but my out of state visitor was quite shaken both by their size and by their shrill call. To be fair, at just under ... READ MORE
Category: , Wildlife
Contrary to popular opinion, bats are not winged mice; in fact, they aren’t rodents at all but members of the taxonomic order Chiroptera (meaning hand-wing). Bats are unique in that they are the only mammals capable of flight. There are thirteen ... READ MORE
Category: Wildlife
Hiking is one of my very favorite ways to spend my leisure time. Between the Ocala National Forest, the Seminole State Forest, several State parks, an abundance of wildlife management areas, and a beautiful variety of local parks, I am fairly ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are one of five tortoise species native to North America and the only species found east of the Mississippi River. At one time the tortoise could be found as far north as North Carolina and as far West ... READ MORE
Category: Wildlife
As Thanksgiving approaches many of us have turkey on the brain. Did you know that Florida is home to two subspecies of wild turkey – the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) and the Osceola or Florida wild turkey (Meleagris ... READ MORE
Category: Wildlife
“Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes”? This famous line from Indiana Jones sums up how a lot of us feel about serpents, but Floridians need not live in fear of our native snakes. Our state is home to forty-six native species of snakes, ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Last December I was visiting a local ranch to consult with the owner on their pasture health. The entire time I was walking the field I felt annoyed by a bit of something in the toe of my boot. Now, as a Florida girl, I know the importance of ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife