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Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
Can You Spot Me?
Common in the coastal waters of the southern US, specifically along sandy bottoms and seagrass beds, the spotted seatrout, also known as the speckled trout, is characterized by its dark gray or green back, white belly, black spots, and a pair of prominent canine teeth on its upper jaw. Despite its name, the spotted seatrout is not a trout at all, but rather a member of the drum family. This popular game fish can grow as large as 39 inches and feeds primarily on baitfish, mullet, shrimp, and crabs.
Turtle Grass (Thalassia testudinum)
Florida’s Front Lawn
Encompassing over 2 million acres along Florida’s shallow coastal regions (primarily in Florida Bay, Tarpon Springs, and Apalachee Bay), seagrass is vital to the health of the marine ecosystem. The largest of Florida’s seagrasses, turtle grass forms extensive beds in Florida Bay, where its ribbon-like leaves can grow up to 14 inches in length. Seagrass helps maintain water clarity, stabilizes the seabed, provides shelter for fish and crustaceans, and is a food source for numerous marine animals and water birds.
American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
No, I’m Not an Alligator
At first glance, you may think you’re looking at an alligator, but zoom in (from a distance) and the differences become clear. The reclusive crocodile, with its grayish-green skin, narrow tapered snout, and protruding fourth tooth on its lower jaw, inhabits Florida’s coastal regions, preferring brackish or saltwater areas. As an apex predator, the American crocodile has no natural predators, thus whatever it encounters on land or in water can be considered prey. No longer classified as endangered, the American crocodile’s current status is considered “threatened” due mainly to illegal hunting and habitat destruction.
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Shingle Creek
The headwaters of the Everglades watershed is a slow, meandering, cypress-lined creek just outside the city of Orlando.
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Kissimmee River
The restoration of 40 miles of river and floodplain is proof that these massive projects can be completed and show immediate results.
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Lake Okeechobee & EAA Reservoir
This is where the southward flow of water was interrupted. The reservoir will clean and store fresh water before it is sent south.
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Tamiami Trail Bridges
The road bed for Highway 41 effectively dammed the shallow “sheet flow” of water from the north, but two new bridges have restored the flow.
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Everglades National Park
The major outlet for fresh water from the Everglades, Shark River features the region’s tallest and most productive red-mangrove forests.
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Florida Bay
Florida Bay now receives less than 50% of the fresh water it needs to maintain its massive seagrass beds, which are the key to the entire ecosystem.
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