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Wildlife & Habitats
FWC adopted a new rule for listing species in Florida in September 2010. A total of 61 of the State-listed species underwent a biological status review to see if they qualified for listing under the new rule. Some species designations will change due to the findings of the reviews but not until a management plan has been developed for each of the 61 species. The rest of the listed species either have had recent reviews and management plans developed, or have a Federal Recovery Plan. Currently, the State lists 46 Federally endangered species, 20 Federally threatened species, 1 Federal experimental population, 21 State-designated theatened species, and 43 State species of special concern.
More information on listed species
Florida is home to an amazing array of fish, wildlife, and the habitats in which they live and thrive. With over 700 terrestrial animals, more than 200 freshwater fish, more than 1,000 marine fish, numerous other aquatic and marine vertebrates, and many thousands of terrestrial insects and other invertebrates, Florida literally is teeming with wildlife.
These multitudes of species are dependent upon the highly productive natural habitats of Florida, ranging from the tropical coral reefs of the Keys and the magnificent Everglades "river of grass" to the awe-inspiring array of first magnitude springs and the quiet beauty of the rolling sand hills.
Managed Plant Species
Hydrilla
Hydrilla is a submersed, much-branched, perennial herb, usually rooted but frequently with fragments seen drifting in the water.
Water-hyacinth
Water-hyacinth is a floating plant that has clusters of leaves with spongy stalks arising from a base of dark purple feathery roots.
Old World Climbing Fern
Old World climbing fern infests residential landscapes, horticultural nurseries, rangelands and other managed lands near infested natural vegetation.
Cogon Grass
Cogon grass is considered to be one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world and has extensively invaded north and central Florida.
Managed Species
Alligator 
Managing Florida's alligator population.
Bald Eagle
Florida has one of the densest concentrations of nesting eagles in the lower 48 states, with over 1,000 nesting pairs.
Bear
Black bears are large, powerful mammals with rounded ears, short tails, 5-toed feet, and large canine teeth.
Gopher Tortoise
Gopher tortoises are ancient: their ancestors are a species of land tortoise that originated in western North America some 60 million years ago.
Manatee
The Florida manatee is a native species found in all parts of the State. Protections for Florida manatees were first enacted in 1893.
Panther
Panthers, like most cats, are solitary hunters. They are most active at the same time their prey is likely to be about: dawn and dusk.
Sea Turtles
Sea turtles, who are among the oldest creatures on earth, have remained essentially unchanged for 110 million years; however, they face an uncertain future.
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