Florida Survival Guide For Guests

Tips On Gators, Plants, Bugs, Beaches, Birds, Storms etc.

Dec 3, 2009 Annette Mardis

The Sunshine State has more to offer than theme parks, sandcastles and swamp buggies. Enjoy the real Florida but don't run afoul of Mother Nature.

The University of Florida Gators call their football stadium The Swamp, but that doesn't mean there's a shortage of dry land in the state. From upland pine forests to hardwood hammocks, coastal dunes and barrier islands, Florida is a place people come to play outdoors.

Florida Offers Diversity Of Wildlife

As raccoons raided a trash Dumpster behind a Palm Harbor restaurant one night, British tourists with cameras crept ever closer. "They're so cute," the women squealed.

What they didn't know was a rabies alert was in force and they should have been keeping their distance. While these raccoons weren't foaming at the mouth or otherwise acting peculiar, the Brits still needed to heed a basic fact of Florida life: Don't mess with wild critters.

It's OK to observe at a safe distance and take lots of pictures. But just because that gator looks like a floating log doesn't mean it's wise to get into the water with it, throw things at it or try to feed it.

Alligators are more visible during winter and most of spring because the lack of rain causes water levels in lakes and rivers to drop and brings the reptiles out looking for someplace wet.

Florida Black Bears a Rare Sight

Like alligators, Florida's shy, secretive black bears can get aggressive when people feed them. Otherwise, most black bears – if they're sighted at all – likely will turn and run off. If they don't, stay calm, stand still and, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission additionally recommends:

Talk to the bear in a monotone and do a slow arm wave;
Avoid direct eye contact because bears, like other animals, might consider that a challenge.
Don't run. It triggers a chase response, and bears can sprint at up to 30 mph.
Don't climb a tree. Adult black bears can scale a 100-foot tree in less than 30 seconds.
Don't play dead or turn around. Back away and be ready to stop and stay there if the bear gets irritated.
If the bear attacks anyway, fight back with whatever is at hand, or even with bare hands.

Spotting the Elusive Florida Panther

Like black bears, Florida panthers usually avoid people. The solitary cats also are in danger of extinction, so seeing one in the wild is a rare treat.

Despite efforts such as breeding programs and wildlife sanctuaries, the panther is restricted to less than 5 percent of its historic range in one breeding population of less than 100 animals in South Florida, according to the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge.

Reducing Risk Of Shark Attacks

Can't resist the sea's siren call? Go for a swim, but not at twilight or when it's dark because that's when sharks are most active. Stay in groups, don't wander too far from shore and leave shiny jewelry at home, the International Shark Attack File advises.

Also, stay out of the water if bleeding in any way; be extra cautious in murky water; and watch out for areas between sandbars or near steep dropoffs because sharks tend to hang out there.

Avoiding Venomous Snakes In Florida

Of the 45 species of snakes found in Florida, six are venomous and dangerous to people: the copperhead, cottonmouth moccasin, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber (or canebrake) rattler, pygmy rattler and Eastern coral snake, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. Many snake species look alike, so when in doubt, leave it alone.

Protecting Wild Dolphins, Manatees

The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal to feed, hunt, kill, capture or harrass manatees, dolphins and whales, among other species.

And the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act regulates powerboat speeds in areas where manatees are most often seen; prohibits destruction of habitat such as seagrass beds; and sets aside safe havens where sea cows can rest, feed, reproduce and care for their young, undisturbed by people.

Lightning Strikes Can Be Deadly

When lightning roars, go indoors! So says the Florida Division of of Emergency Management, which warns that lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from where it's raining.

While inside, stay away from corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that puts the user in direct contact with electricity or plumbing.

Florida averages 10 lightning fatalities and 40 serious injuries annually, according to Florida State University weather experts. Many of those who survive suffer severe lifelong disabilities.

Clearwater Beach Sunsets Attract Tourists

Knowledge is power, so heed these warnings about dangerous wildlife and weather – but don't let them ruin the vacation. Millions of folks have visited Florida without being harmed by native wildlife or a raging storm. The natural beauty of live oaks along the Withlacoochee River; sunsets over Clearwater Beach; the crystal clear waters of Silver Springs; and the pines in the Ocala State Forest are just some of the reasons Florida is such a popular tourist destination.

Share Article |

The copyright of the article Florida Survival Guide For Guests in SE U.S. Travel is owned by Annette Mardis. Permission to republish Florida Survival Guide For Guests in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.