FWF News Articles
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May 24,
2020 427 427 
The forage fish species on our coasts and seas, although small in size, are critical to the well-being of the entire saltwater food chain. Examples of forage fish are pinfish, mullet, menhaden and anchovies. Due to the importance of aquatic forage species, Florida Wildlife Federation (FWF) remains an active member of the Forage Fish Coalition, an effort to bring needed attention and resources to the research and conservation of these often underappreciated and overlooked saltwater fish.
May 24,
2020 263 263
One of our state’s most iconic creatures is the alligator. This ancient species is estimated to have existed on the planet for 150-230 million years! That means they lived with the dinosaurs.
May 24,
2020 289 289
Growing in containers or very small garden plots is a good way to try out gardening with just a little commitment, or to nourish an existing love of growing things if you only have a small space available. Place containers with your favorite veggies and herbs right outside the door or on the patio and you are gardening!
May 18,
2020 312 312
Florida has some wildlife species that only live here, and one of them is the Florida scrub jay.
May 18,
2020 279 279
Taking a walk in the woods, around the neighborhood, or even in your yard, you might see two very similar vines: Virginia creeper and poison ivy. They look alike, often grow together and are often confused. Knowing how to positively identify these two vines can come in very handy.
May 10,
2020 386 386
Florida is blessed with five types of owls: the barred or swamp owl, the great-horned owl, the white-faced barn owl, the tiny screech owl and the distinctive burrowing owl. While each is special in its own way, the burrowing owl is distinctive in that it is a bird that lives underground! In Florida, they may be found in the central and southern parts of the peninsula and grow to a little under 10 inches in height. With long legs adapted to life on the ground, they eat mice, moles and insects such as termites and grasshoppers, and prefer prairies or pastures in which to live
May 10,
2020 331 331
Wonderful pictures of a newly emerged giant silk moth called Polyphemus, Antheraea polyphemus, were recently shared with me. Hanging with its wings folded, the moth’s size and antennae are noticeable features. Its wingspan is 4-6 inches and the comb-like antennae are sensitive to smell, useful for finding food or mates, and possibly navigation. Polyphemus has eye spots on all 4 wings, with two distinctive spots said to mimic the eyes of a larger animal – maybe even a Great Horned Owl. That should be enough to scare off a host of predators!
May 6,
2020 248 248
Our gray fox is a member of the canine, or dog family, but acts like a cat! It weighs about as much as a house cat, 7-13 pounds, and hunts its prey by stalking just like our feline tabbies and kitties do. Gray foxes eat rodents, reptiles and even berries and fruit.
April 30,
2020 350 350
This spring, as we continue social distancing and staying at home as much as possible, many people are writing about the pleasure they’re finding in gardening. Some are life-long gardeners, others are finding connection to nature in planting seeds for the first time.
April 27,
2020 302 302
The Florida panther is Florida's official state animal and has been listed as a federally endangered species since 1967. Historically, the Florida panther roamed across the southeastern portion of the United States—all the way from Florida to Louisiana throughout the Gulf Coast states and Arkansas. Today the breeding population is limited to the southern tip of Florida.