Naturally Florida Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan

The marsh rabbit is a medium-sized rabbit with short, rounded ears, and small feet. It is similar in appearance to the more familiar eastern cottontail rabbit but without the white color of their tail. The marsh rabbit is found in the southeastern United States from southeast Virginia (in the Dismal Swamp), along the east coast to eastern Alabama, and the Florida peninsula and the islands along the coast of Florida. There is a subspecies of the marsh rabbit, which is endangered and only found in (endemic to) the lower Florida Keys. Marsh rabbits live near freshwater and brackish marshes and wet prairies and can even be found in flooded agricultural fields. The main threat to marsh rabbits is habitat loss from human development and fragmentation. Their population also declines due to hurricanes and coastal flooding. This is especially true for the Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit. The Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit population has been declining since at least the 1960s because of the loss and degradation of suitable habitats because of human development. The Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit was once common throughout the Lower Florida Keys (the Lower Florida Keys begins at Big Pine Key and ends at the island of Key West) but is now only found on 13 islands. Sea level rise has been projected to seriously threaten the population and its ability to survive on these islands. The threat of sea level rise has grown because these coastal ecosystems cannot migrate inland due to human development and infrastructure, often called coastal squeeze.  

Learn More:  


Lower Keys Rabbit: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/lower-keys-rabbit/  


Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit: https://www.fws.gov/species/lower-keys-marsh-rabbit-sylvilagus-palustris-hefneri  


Marsh Rabbit: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/marsh-rabbit/  


This or That? Eastern Cottontail or Marsh Rabbit: https://youtu.be/maFhVuEC6jU  



How You Can Help:  


Get involved with your local city or county leaders and elected officials. Advocate for low impact development, green infrastructure and living shorelines where possible. 


Keep your cat indoors and do not support feeding of feral cat populations.  


Practice sustainable tourism when visiting the Florida Keys or anywhere in Florida. Check out Car Free Key West (https://www.carfreekeywest.com/), Florida Green Lodging (https://floridadep.gov/osi/green-lodging), and the Florida Friendly Fishing Guide Certification Program (https://www.flseagrant.org/fisheries/florida-friendly-fishing-guide-certification-program/)  



Sources for this Episode:  


Impacts of a half century of sea-level rise and development on an endangered mammal: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.12024  


Population Estimation and Monitoring of an Endangered Lagomorph: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41418016  


Lower Keys Rabbit: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/lower-keys-rabbit/  








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In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects.

Learn More:


UF/IFAS Document about mosquito repellents (Table of effectiveness at end): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN419
Mosquitoes & Their Control: Integrated Pest Management for Mosquito Reduction Around Homes and Neighborhoods - https://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/_documents/fl-resident-guide-to-mosquito-control-ifas.pdf
Mosquito Control Programs - Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance - Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov)

How You Can Help:


Follow the 3-D’s: Dump standing water; Dress in loose, light-colored, long sleeves and pants; Defend using a CED recommended repellent.
Reach out to your local Mosquito Control District if you’re still having issues with mosquitoes despite efforts to control them around your home: Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Share this episode or information from this episode with family, friends and colleagues.

Sources for this Episode:


Mosquitoes - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/mosquitoes
FDACS Public Health Applicator’s Manual -https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/109002/file/Public-Health-Manual-2023.pdf
Division of Vector-Borne Diseases - https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/index.html  

Special thanks to Alissa Berro, Section Manager, Public Works, Pinellas County for assistance in the script writing of this episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations


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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/naturallyflorida/message

In this episode, we explore the mosquitoes of Florida, covering everything from mosquito biology, types of mosquitoes, mosquito surveillance and control, and ways you can yourself from these important, but sometimes pesky insects.

Learn More:


UF/IFAS Document about mosquito repellents (Table of effectiveness at end): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN419
Mosquitoes & Their Control: Integrated Pest Management for Mosquito Reduction Around Homes and Neighborhoods - https://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/_documents/fl-resident-guide-to-mosquito-control-ifas.pdf
Mosquito Control Programs - Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance - Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov)

How You Can Help:


Follow the 3-D’s: Dump standing water; Dress in loose, light-colored, long sleeves and pants; Defend using a CED recommended repellent.
Reach out to your local Mosquito Control District if you’re still having issues with mosquitoes despite efforts to control them around your home: Mosquito Control Programs / Mosquito Control / Business Services / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)
Share this episode or information from this episode with family, friends and colleagues.

Sources for this Episode:


Mosquitoes - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/mosquitoes
FDACS Public Health Applicator’s Manual -https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/109002/file/Public-Health-Manual-2023.pdf
Division of Vector-Borne Diseases - https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/index.html  

Special thanks to Alissa Berro, Section Manager, Public Works, Pinellas County for assistance in the script writing of this episode.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations


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Today's episode is all about Florida's pink birds, including the iconic roseate spoonbill and American flamingo.



Learn More:


Read the NPR article we discussed about Hurricane Idalia and Flamingo sightings.
View iNaturalist observations of Flamingos since 2020

How to Help:


Don't feed water birds: Read why, here.
Respect wildlife - view from a distance! Watch a short video about 'Rule of Thumb' for wildlife viewing, here.
Submit your observations to iNaturalist.

Sources:


https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Tern/overview 
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/american-flamingo/ 
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterbirds/roseate-spoonbill/ 



If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations


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In this episode, we explore the two species of skunks found in Florida. A mammal that is so unique, it recently divided from a subfamily of the weasel to become its own family, a stinky one! There is a lot to learn about these mysterious creatures. We will explore the species of life history of Florida’s skunks, where you can find them, some fun skunk behavior and more! ⁠

Learn More: 


Eastern Spotted Skunk Conservation Plan - Microsoft Word - ESS Conservation Plan July82019 (weebly.com) 


Skunks - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/skunks/ 


Living with Skunks - myfwc.com/media/25513/livingwithskunks.pdf 



 

How You Can Help: 


FWC is interested in collecting carcasses of eastern spotted skunks for future genetic analyses. If you observe a deceased spotted skunk, please email skunks@myfwc.com.


You can report both species of skunks (dead or alive) on iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations  




 If you see a skunk, it is not cause for alarm...don’t call a wildlife trapper, just let it be. 



Sources for this Episode: 


Eastern Spotted Skunk Conservation Plan - Microsoft Word - ESS Conservation Plan July82019 (weebly.com) 


Skunks - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/skunks/ 


Eastern Spotted Skunk Cooperative Study Group - https://easternspottedskunk.weebly.com/  



 










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How do you feel about snakes? Not a fan? Well, while we believe snakes are friends, not foes, we recognize it may be comforting to know that the vast majority of snakes in Florida are non-venomous and largely cannot hurt you or your family. On today's episode, we go on a deep dive about Florida's venomous snakes.



Learn more:


Read about identifying the water moccasin and the banded water snake (non-venomous) OR watch this video
Need a refresher on 3 common snakes in residential areas? Listen here: Three Common Snakes in Residential Areas (Podcast Episode)
Dealing With Snakes - Emergency Planning
Preventing Negative Encounters with Snakes
Florida Snakes (Youtube Video)

Calls to action:


Spread the word! Snakes are friends, not foes. They provide a critical link in our food web and are both predator and prey. MOST snakes you see are non-venomous.
Avoid Snake-bite Kits: The only snake-bite kit you need is your cell phone! If you are bitten by a venomous snake OR a snake you can't identify, call 911. Do not wait for symptoms to develop, this is an emergency and time is of the essence.

Sources:


https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/dealing_with_snakes.shtml
https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/venomous_snake_identification.shtml
https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/snakes/






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