Florida was once home to a very diverse array of wildlife. Bobcats were once very prominent in Florida, but land development, drained marshland and deforestation are pushing this species of lynx into more northern are. Florida also has many species of armadillo, opossum, foxes and birds like the American eagle and osprey, but are also being forced from their natural environments and into more urban areas, contributing to high percentages of roadkill. The Wildlife Foundation of Florida acts to gain collaboration of the public in order to protect and conserve all types of wildlife from land and air to water.
The insect population of Florida is also unique. The Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a butterfly native to Florida grasslands. One such area is Payne’s Prairie in Gainesville, Florida. Other Florida native insects include various species of mites including Florida termites and many types of ants, like the fire ant.
Of all the animals of Florida, the Florida Panther is one of the most well-known. It is an endangered species of cougar that is only found in the swamps of Florida. Human expansion, even with the conservation geared towards protecting this creature, is sending the panther into extinction.