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!

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.

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.