What Animals Can You Own In Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The warmth. The waves. Florida is beautiful – only it's also dangerous.

And no, it'due south not simply the infamous 'Florida man' you need to worry about. The Sunshine State is itch with countless creatures that tin quickly turn this paradise playground into a Hollywood horror prove.

First up – everyone's favorite – spiders.

The Department of Agronomics says there are several dissimilar kinds that tin kill y'all.

Permit's start with the 'widows'.

You've probably heard of the Black Widow – but she has a couple cousins. The Red Widow and Brownish Widow pack a powerful dial besides. Thankfully, they're actually skittish and only bite in self-defence. They like to hibernate in dark, dry places – and so be careful when you're lifting the lid on a barbecue grill.

Recluse spiders are no joke either, and the Chilean variety has been spotted in Polk Canton.

And so, how about snakes? There are plenty of dangerous species slithering around Florida.

The USDA says Coral Snakes, Water Moccasins and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes all feel correct at home among the snowbirds. Thankfully, their venom is rarely fatal to humans, just a bite from 1 of these bad boys will state yous in a globe of hurt – so information technology'south best to keep your distance.

If you're venturing off the browbeaten path, the experts say it's best stay abroad from fallen logs: That's their favorite hangout.

Venomous snakes aren't the but ones to watch out for though.

Burmese Pythons are literally choking out other species all over the Everglades. They're HUGE – and they could easily snatch a dog or pocket-size child.

Thankfully, there are no reports of whatsoever people condign their prey.

Staying with Florida's scaly threats – say hello to the American Alligator.

According to the conservation grouping Defenders of Wildlife, about 1.25 million alligators call the state dwelling house.

They're unsafe on state, simply lethal in the water – and the number of homo encounters is on the rise considering their natural habitat has been shrinking for decades.

The American Crocodile is shier, but they're likewise known to be more aggressive. With only about 1,000 living in the wild, y'all would have to be pretty lucky to spot one.

OK, perchance lucky isn't the correct word.

Now, when you remember about Florida, yous think about the embankment.

Millions of tourists take their dream vacations along Florida'south gorgeous coastlines – but they're not solitary when they're splashing in the surf.

Bull Sharks lurk in both the Atlantic Body of water and the Gulf of United mexican states, and these apex predators aren't picky eaters. Scientists have constitute everything from bounding main turtles to dolphins in their stomachs.

Surfers consider them to exist amongst the near aggressive sharks, and the Florida Museum says they account for the third largest number of attacks worldwide.

However, big sharks with big teeth aren't the only fish in the sea.

Atlantic Needlefish are found in many of Florida's natural springs. They're but virtually ii feet long, just they can be deadly.

While attacks on humans are rare, if you catch one on a bad day, you could end up getting impaled.

While we're still soaking moisture – what's scarier than a deadly brute that'southward nearly impossible to see?

Box jellyfish are tiny – and translucent. They love the Gulf of United mexican states'due south warm waters, and their sting tin easily bring y'all to your knees – or worse.

Scientists say as ocean temperatures go on to rise, we'll proceed 'seeing' even more of them along Florida's coast.

Allow'due south dry off now – and get into a little problem on country.

Say hello to the wild boar.

This is no loveable potbelly pig. This is a mean, nasty and aggressive species that runs squealer wild across all 67 Florida counties.

They're the dandy, cracking, great, great grandchildren of pigs brought to the land by Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto. Hunters say, with their unpredictable beliefs and razor-sharp tusks, they can be more dangerous than bears – so beware.

Speaking of bears –Florida has its ain subspecies.

The Florida Black Bear is not aggressive, merely it is defensive. If you come beyond a cuddly little cub – turn around and walk away. Its mother is probably nearby, and she volition easily rip y'all to shreds.

With more than than iv,000 of them in the wild, Florida Fish and Wildlife considers the Florida Black Bear a conservation success story.

It's a much dissimilar story for the Florida panther.

Big Cat Rescue says only about 200 of them are left. They're most active at dusk and dawn – and love to creep upwardly and pounce on their prey.

The truth is, they want to stay every bit far abroad from people equally possible – but with a mouth total of very sharp teeth and a acme speed of 35-miles per hr, information technology'southward a adept idea not to get looking for 1.

Now, information technology's fourth dimension to talk about toads – specifically Florida's infamous Bufo toad.

This fat, fist-sized amphibian is a serious threat to your pets. Information technology releases a potentially-lethal toxin that tin can kill a canis familiaris or true cat, so watch out for what Fido is licking in your backyard.

And finally -- a painful pest that tin can easily turn your weekend picnic into a pity party. Florida is infamous for fire ants!

If you see, what looks like, a mound of sand in the grass – step somewhere else. A colony can exist home to 250,000 ants, and each one is willing to fight to the decease to protect their egg-laying queen.