As temperatures drop across the country, people flock to Florida to escape the cold and enjoy the beautiful weather. Just like humans, many animals migrate to and within the Sunshine State to better survive the colder months of winter. That makes January a great time to spot wildlife that would otherwise be out of state or out of sight, so here are a few animals to keep watch for while exploring our state parks!

Honeybees may be some of the most well-known pollinators, but you may be surprised to learn they are not native to America – they were introduced here from Europe.

Park visitors sometimes ask where they might see the endangered Florida panther, which prefers remote, undeveloped areas. Read more to learn about your best chances for seeing one of the world’s most elusive animals.

At Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, Florida Park Service biologist Rebecca Collins joined butterfly technicians from the University of Florida’s McGui​re Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity to release dozens of Schaus’ swallowtail caterpillars.

In 2019, we were thrilled to announce the addition of a new wildlife ambassador resident at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: Maximus the Florida black bear. We have an update on his story.

There are over 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks, and they’re also important refuges for nesting wildlife. If you plan on heading to the beach, check out these practical tips for making the beach safer for wildlife and their nests.

July 16 is World Snake Day, and Florida is a great place to celebrate. Why would anyone celebrate snakes? Often thought to be ominous, snakes have an important role in the ecosystem and are usually not dangerous to people. We talked to two Florida Park Service snake experts to learn more.

Many of the 100 miles of beaches protected by Florida State Parks provide nesting habitat for sea turtles. As nesting season begins, park staff and biologists are preparing to monitor nests and keep them safe. The majority of nesting takes place between March and October.

In 2022, 70 Florida State Parks staff joined Department of Environmental Protection water quality experts to find new ways to tell the story of Florida's springs.