The Southern Hognose snake is an extremely shy and allusive non-venomous reptile (The Eastern Hognose does produce a mild venom). Though rarely seen, they can be identified by their distinct pointed, and upturned snouts. They average around 35.6 cm in length and have been recorded as long as 61cm. The females are generally larger than the males of this species. Both males and females are generally gray, with black blotches on their backs and sides, however they can have tan or auburn tints as well. The Southern Hognose is often misidentified as its cousin, the Eastern Hognose snake. When threatened, the Southern Hognose can spread their necks out, similar to a cobra, and hiss loudly. They rarely strike or bite in self-defense, but they have been documented rolling over onto their backs and “playing dead”. Their diet consists of lizards, rodents, and other small vertebrates, but they primarily feed on frogs and toads, using their posterior fangs to capture prey, and to deflate any toad or frog.
The Panama City crayfish (Procambarus econfinae) (PCC) is a small freshwater crustacean growing to about two inches in length (body length minus claws). The dorsal side of this crayfish consist of a dark brown background color with a lighter brown dorsal stripe running the entire length of the animal. The sides of the crayfish are a light brown with dark brown spots. The size, claw shape, and leg arrangement identify the Panama City Crayfish from other crayfish sharing the same geographic range.
The American mink (Neovison vison) is a semi-aquatic, carnivorous predator of the weasel family. They have long streamline bodies, small heads, and rounded ears with chocolate colored fur. Often, white markings occur on the chin or belly or both. Mink exhibit sexual dimorphism with the males being longer and heavier than females. Males vary in total length from 19-28 inches and weight from 1-3 pounds, while females measure 18-23 inches and weigh 1-2 pounds. Mink are frequently mistaken for river otters (Lontra canadensis), but they can be differentiated by their smaller size and pointed muzzle. River otter are twice as long and more than four times as heavy.
If you have ever been fishing, diving or boating in the coastal waters off Florida’s coastline and noticed a sea turtle, odds are it was a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Despite its name, green turtles are typically more of a olivey-brown than green, its name originating from the greenish hue found in the turtle’s fatty tissues. Green turtles are recognized to exist in four distinct life stages: Hatchling, Juvenile, Subadult and Adult. Ranging in size from hatchlings that weigh 1 ounce to adults that can weight up to 500 lbs, green turtles change in appearance as the grow.
The Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) is a large, non-venomous colubrid snake found in the South East of the United States. It can be easily identified by its triangular rostral scale (on its face) that it uses for burrowing. Florida pine snakes can be rather polymorphic within their range but typically are tan or brown with dark brown saddles on their backs and red/brown spots near the tail. They can reach 7 feet long but reach adult size at 4-6 feet.
