Inside FWRI

Salamanders in Florida

Florida is home to over 30 species of salamanders! One species in particular was recently discovered inside Devil’s Millhopper sinkhole in Alachua County.

The Three-lined salamander has never been seen in this area until 2024. After genetic testing researchers found that this species of salamander resembles salamanders from Georgia and Alabama, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly where they came from.

Researchers continue to monitor this population of salamanders so they can better understand their behavior, how they adapt, and if their population spreads beyond the sinkhole.

Visit the Amphibian & Reptile Research section on our website to learn more about salamanders and other amphibian research.

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Current Protections and Future Threats to Say's Spiketail Habitat in the Southeastern USA

Florida is home to more than 100 different species of dragonflies, which rely on freshwater habitats like lakes, rivers, streams, and springs. While some species can live in different habitat types, others are specialists with specific needs.

Say’s Spiketail is a threatened species of dragonfly found only in northern Florida and southeastern Georgia. This species is a habitat specialist that relies on shallow seepage streams found in dry, sandy landscapes like longleaf pine forests.

Biologists modeled habitat for Say’s Spiketail to help identify important conservation areas and better understand future risks to the species. As Florida’s landscape continues to change, this research can help guide conservation efforts for this unique dragonfly and the habitats it depends on.