Top 5 Rarest Animals in Florida You Have To See By Jeffrey Kamikow

Florida. While most people set out here to experience the warm weather, Disney World, or relaxation on the beach, there are a select few who spend their days down here studying the extensive biodiversity that exists in this great state. While Florida is far from the largest state, it has arguably the most unique and intriguing wildlife in the United States, with many protected flora and fauna that can be found nowhere else in the country. From living dinosaurs to big cats, this place has it all. So if you're ever taking a trip to the Sunshine State, keep your eyes peeled for some of the state's rarest and most elusive animals.

Indigo Snake

To the untrained eye, the indigo snake is easily overlooked. It is a large colubrid snake that poses no threat to humans and usually feeds on small mammals, birds, amphibians, and even other snakes. This rare snake gets its name from its iridescent scales that have an 'indigo glow' when the sunlight hits them. Due to their increasingly diminished population and unique traits, the indigo snake is frequently sought after by avid reptile collectors.

Over the years, the territory of the indigo snake has become smaller and smaller with populations of this species now existing only in Florida and Southern Georgia. This is due mainly to habitat destruction. This snake has also faced conservation threats in the shape of invasive reptiles establishing populations throughout the state. Burmese pythons, a large invasive snake species, will eat most large animals endemic to Florida, including the iIndigo snake.

Burmese Python

This giant reptile is an invader becoming increasingly more prevalent throughout. Originally from Southeast Asia, the Burmese python is an apex predator, exceeding maximum lengths of over twenty five feet and feeding on just about anything it can fit in its mouth. In Florida, this snake has been recorded feeding on alligators and large mammals, such as deer.

As of 2020, scientists and conservation experts suggest there could be an established population of Burmese pythons in South Florida as large as one hundred thousand. With plenty of wetlands to hide among and an ideal subtropical climate, there's no saying how large the population could grow. What we do know is that these large reptiles are raising many alarms and are a substantial threat to the endangered flora and fauna existing in south Florida. Anyone who believes they have sighted one of these snakes is encouraged to report their findings to police immediately.

For south Florida residents like Jeff Kamkow, the Burmese python is an everyday concern. "There are so many of them out there, but they're very hard to spot! You really have to watch your dogs and cats - and even your children. They're very dangerous."

Key Deer

The smallest North American deer species, the Key deer can only be found in the Florida Keys off the southern coast of the state. Unlike its mainland deer counterparts, the Key deer shows little fear towards humans, often frequenting the yards of Florida Key residents and approaching them for food.

There are many factors over the years that have pushed this smaller deer species towards the brink of extinction, including restriction of territory and main roads that pose a danger to crossing deer. Due to a recent resurgence of the population, the Trump Administration opted to remove this animal from the endangered species list. As of early 2021 however, the Key deer remains as an endangered animal in the state of Florida.

Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle

A gentle giant, this turtle's population has seen a rapid decline in previous years, so much so that it has earned the title of the rarest sea turtle.It is an omnivore, feeding on seaweed as well as mollusks, urchins, fish, and algae. This animal is most commonly found on the southern shores of Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

Originally, the biggest threat to the Atlantic Ridley was the harvesting of its eggs, but today, habitat destruction, pollution, and shrimping nets are wreaking havoc on the remaining existing population. There are currently devices in development to help avoid sea turtles being caught in fishing nets as a method of conservation. Today, there are an estimated seven to nine thousand turtles left in the ocean.

American Crocodile

One of the two existing crocodilian species in the Sunshine State, the American crocodile is much more elusive than its infamous cousin, the American alligator. While the alligator continues to thrive throughout Florida and the southeastern United States, the American crocodile has struggled due to numerous threats, such as habitat destruction and predators consuming it's eggs.

While the American crocodile and alligator look incredibly similar, the trained eye can recognize some distinguishing features between the two. The colouration of the crocodile is lighter than its alligator counterpart. On top of this, the snout is also much more narrow. While the alligator resides in bodies of water all over the state, the crocodile prefers waters with higher salinity, such as mangrove swamps in the southern part of the state.

Florida may be any beach goer's ideal getaway, but it is also a hub for wildlife viewers to see some of the rarest creatures in the entire country. Biologists and conservationists are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to protect some of these threatened animals and it is more important than ever that we do what we can to see the hopeful comeback of these unique animals.