Wondering About Wildlife: Being a Good Neighbor to Wildlife

Developed by our Ecology and Natural Resources program, the “Wondering About Wildlife?” blog series provides answers to frequently asked questions and concerns about the wildlife around us. This blog focuses on how you can be the best neighbor to the wildlife around you.

Encountering Wildlife

Encountering wildlife in Florida can be a thrilling experience, but it’s crucial to remember that these creatures are an integral part of our ecosystem. To ensure their well-being and preserve the natural balance, here are some essential guidelines on wildlife etiquette:

How to Respect Wildlife

1. No Feeding, Please: Avoid the temptation to feed birds, turtles, alligators or any other wildlife you encounter. Although it might seem harmless, feeding them human food can have adverse effects on their health and disrupt their natural foraging habits, breeding patterns, and migration leading to unintended consequences.
   • Wading birds and ducks: Feeding birds bread, which has no nutrient value for them, fills their stomach with empty calories and can cause nutrient deficiencies. In young ducks and geese, a diet of bread can cause a permanent deformity called “angel wing”. Feeding also habituates them to come to an area where predators may now congregate.
   • Turtles: While feeding turtles may seem cute and harmless, it can have serious effects on their health and longevity. Many species of aquatic turtles are creatures of habit and come to expect a human-provided food source. Highly processed human food like bread does not contain necessary nutrients and can lead to nutrient deficiencies that cause shell deformities and potentially death.

     

   • Alligators: Once an alligator is fed by humans, either purposely, or inadvertently (throwing back fish or fish entrails), it starts to lose its natural fear of humans and see them as a source of easy food. This can lead to abnormal behavior where alligators approach humans looking for an easy handout. This can lead to negative and potentially dangerous interactions.
   • Feral cats: Leaving food out for feral cats enhances the likelihood of disease spread and an increased feral cat population, but may also entice predators and other wildlife to be in the area. Species that are particularly attracted to pet food left outside include racoons, coyotes, invasive cane toads, cockroaches, and rodents.

2. Keep a Respectful Distance: When observing wildlife, always be discreet and avoid any actions that may harass or disturb them. While observing wildlife, it’s vital to maintain a respectful and safe distance. Getting too close can stress the animals, leading to unintended consequences for their behavior and well-being. Admire from afar and use binoculars or a camera with zoom capabilities for a closer look. If wildlife has changed their behavior because you are near, you are too close, back away and give them the space they need.

   

3. Habitat is Home: Wildlife belong in their natural habitats, and removing them can cause significant harm to their health and can lead to disruptions in their ecosystem. Just as it is illegal to feed most species of wildlife, it is illegal or may require a permit in order to have many wildlife species as pets. These laws protect and ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy.

4. No Pets in the Wild: Releasing pets into the wild is a harmful practice that can introduce invasive species and disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem. Pets almost always have become reliant on human care and feeding, and are not able to care for themselves in the wild. If you have a pet you can no longer care for, consider surrendering it to an appropriate facility or rehoming it through the FWC’s exotic pet amnesty program.

5. Report Sightings: If you spot any rare or endangered species, report your sighting to local authorities or wildlife conservation organizations. Your input can contribute to essential research and conservation efforts. Species for which FWC is requesting reports.

It is also important to report invasive species. Invasive species are plants and wildlife that are not naturally occurring in a certain geographic area, have been introduced through human means, and have to potential to cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. Reporting invasive species helps agencies determine their population and spread and to respond accordingly. How to report invasive species.

6. Limit Light Pollution: Keep your lighting low, long, and shielded to help protect our nocturnal wildlife. Outdoor lighting, especially at night, can affect circadian rhythms impacting life cycles, breeding, and migration. Wildlife may even abandon otherwise suitable habitat due to artificial lighting. Outdoor lighting can also confuse wildlife, such as sea turtles, that use natural light to navigate. Lighting may also attract unwanted wildlife to your yard, or alter predator-prey interactions by making prey more visible.
7. Road Ecology: Wildlife-vehicle collisions kill more than 365 million animals each year in the United States. Negative impacts of roads on wildlife include noise and air pollution, altered hydrology (water flow), loss of habitat, injury, and more. For example, motor vehicle strikes account for the primary known cause of death to the endangered Florida panther. Wildlife-vehicle collisions occur most often in the early morning and evening, on two-lane roads. What can you do to help?

   

   • Watch for animals when driving through or near natural areas, parks, forests, rural areas, and near water bodies.
   • Closely follow posted speed limits and stay alert, especially at dawn and dusk.
   • Avoid back roads and rural roads, when possible, especially at night.
   • Drive less, by carpooling, biking, and using public transportation.
   • Use seasonal awareness, with wildlife and their young often on the move during the spring.
   • Support large-scale efforts such as the implementation of wildlife crossings and sustainable urban development.

Protecting Florida’s wildlife is a collective responsibility, and by following these simple guidelines, you can play a significant role in conserving the state’s diverse and beautiful natural heritage. Not only will you be respecting the animals, but you’ll also be abiding by the laws that are in place to safeguard their future. Let’s cherish and preserve our wildlife for generations to come!

To Learn More:

Check out all blogs in the “Wondering About Wildlife?” series

Visit the Sarasota Starter Kit: A Guide to Living on the Suncoast 30-minute lunch-and-learn webinar for new, or current residents.

Register for Neighborhood Best Practices an online, self-paced course that provides videos, fact sheets, resource links and more on topics from wildlife interactions to preservation areas, from water quality to sustainable landscapes to foster thriving, informed, and sustainable communities.

Other Series of Interest

“Wild Sarasota” blog series Enjoy blogs about identification, life history, and fun facts about our native wildlife. Accompanying webinars and resources on over 140 species of wildlife can be found at our Florida Wildlife webpage.

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