Florida’s Gulf Coast is the ideal habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. Multiple ecosystems meet in the area. Florida is most often associated with alligators and other reptiles, but the area is home to innumerable species of birds, mammals, and other creatures.
Although they may look desolate to the untrained eye, the palmetto scrubs of Florida host gopher tortoises, rabbits, white tailed deer, and several species of snakes. This habitat can be found throughout Florida, especially inland.
Mangroves form where fresh water flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Mangrove trees are easily distinguished by their high prop roots and pencil-like seeds. Mangroves are home to over 200 species of fish, 181 species of birds, 24 reptiles and amphibians, and 18 mammals. Crabs and oysters are also plentiful in the mangroves.
