By Thom Sanders
When thinking of great wildlife, many immediately jump to the Sahara and the African safari, but Florida boasts its own Big Five. From sea creatures to its own big cat, the wildlife native to Florida is just as, if not more, impressive than what you may find in Africa.
American Alligator
No visit is complete without seeing the American alligator, which is most at home in the Everglades and the state's marshland. No animal here is more impressive and veracious and, after all, they did name a theme park after them at Gatorland. These great reptiles can reach up to 15 feet in length so you would be hard pushed to miss them in the wild. As the official state reptile, this is one animal you have to see during your holidays to Florida.
Crocodile
While slightly smaller than their reptile cousins, the American crocodile is one of the largest kinds of its species. The American crocodile is one of the rarer varieties and adult males can grow to 14 feet long.
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all the turtles and is the biggest reptile of all, behind three different types of crocodile. The turtle is protected in Florida and mostly nests on the east coast, with around 50 per cent of nesting taking place in Palm Beach County. These beautiful turtles are so named for their rubbery shell and can reach up eight feet in length.
Florida Panther
This beautiful big cat is an endangered subspecies of cougar that inhabits the swamps and forests of Southern Florida. The Florida panther has been Florida's state animal since 1982 and the state is currently working to protect the species. The Florida panther's natural predator is the alligator and, while humans once threatened its existence through poaching and wildlife control, the animal is now under protection in the hope of raising their numbers.
The manatee is a common and popular sight in many of Florida's aquariums and sea life centres but is also seen in the wild in Florida's marshy coastal areas, with the West Indian manatee commonly found in the rivers of Citrus County. These great marine mammals also go by the name of 'sea cows' and can reach lengths of up to nearly 10 feet. Approximately half of the manatees' life is spent asleep in the water, surfacing regularly and swimming relatively slowly at around 3-5 mph. The Florida subspecies has been known to live up 60 years and is still a popular site for people during their travels to the state.
This article was written by Thom Sanders on behalf of Holiday Genie, who offer fantastic deals on Florida holidays throughout the year.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thom_Sanders
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