FLORIDA STATE ANIMALS & MAMMALS
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FLInfoGuide.com
Source: myfwc.com
MANATEE
(trichechus manatus latirostris)
Florida’s State Marine Mammal
Manatees, known as ‘sea cows’, are gray
in color with a rounded, flattened tail
for swimming. Their eye muscles close
in a circular motion, and has a lid-like
membrane that closes over their eyes for
protection while under water.
Manatees are agile in the water swimming
upside down, rolling, doing somersaults or
moving vertically in the water.
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
(alligator mississippiensis)
Florida’s State Reptile
Alligators have a broad, rounded snout
with no lower teeth visible when their jaw
is closed. Its powerful tail, helps propel it
through the water.
They regulate body temperature by
basking in the sun and moving to warmer
or cooler resting spots. Alligators prefer
fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers,
but are also found in brackish water.
GOPHER TORTOISE
(gopherus polyphemus)
Florida’s State Tortoise
A
moderate-sized,
terrestrial
turtle
averaging 9-11 inches in length, the gopher
has a stumpy, elephantine hind feet and
flattened, shovel-like forelimbs covered in
thick scales. The adult’s shell is generally
tan, brown or gray. Breeding season occurs
between March and October. Tortoises
exhibit no maternal care of their eggs or
young. They can live 40 to 60 years in the
wild; captive ones may live 90+ years.
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN
(tursiops truncatus)
Florida’s State Saltwater Mammal
The most common dolphin species is the
bottlenosed dolphin, mistakenly called
porpoises. They show a high degree
of intelligence with a wide range of
vocalizations. Dolphins are heard clicking
which
is
not
likely
communication,
but rather the sonar system used for
navigation, food-finding and avoidance
of predators. They live both inshore and
offshore. Adults are typically 6 to 12 feet
long and live into their 50’s.