The Environment - Wildlife and their Native Habitats

Wildlife in Weston

Because the City of Weston maintains thousands of acres of wetland conservation areas, supporting a variety of wildlife, it is important for residents to be aware and familiar with commonly encountered wildlife in order maximize the enjoyment of the experience while practicing safe distancing and keeping necessary precautions in mind.

Alligators

It is likely that at one time or another, you have seen an alligator in or near the water bodies in Weston. They are capable of traveling great distances by land or by water, and there is no part of Florida they cannot access. May and June are their mating season, and they tend to become more visible as they traverse between water bodies, seeking a mate. As a result of urbanization around traditional alligator habitats, there has been increased contact between alligators and people. The alligator’s ability to adapt to human presence and development has resulted in alligators being found in what would seem to be unlikely places:  underneath cars in driveways, in drainage ditches, swimming pools and on golf courses. Alligators depend on the wetlands, and in many ways the wetlands depend on them, as they help control the population of rodents and other animals that might overtax the marshland vegetation.

It is advised that you treat ANY water body as having the possibility of an alligator. Also remember, the lakes and canals are for stormwater management (drainage) purposes and not recreation.

If you see an alligator, stay calm. They generally have no intentions of bothering you. Feeding, harassing, or killing alligators violates State law, so just leave them alone. Only nuisance alligators can be removed and the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) will make that determination for alligators largers than 4 ft. long that are posing a threat, and may contact a licensed trapper to respond, but the City must first authorize the trapper to access. The City of Weston is not permitted to handle an alligator for any reason.

If an alligator longer than 4 ft. appears threatening, comes close to your home, or becomes a risk for humans or pets, contact the Nuisance Alligator Hotline of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 866-392-4286 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 561-357-4200 after hours.

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Cane (Bufo) Toad:

The Cane Toad, commonly known as the Bufo Toad is an invasive, nonnative species and extremely poisonous. 

The Cane Toad, are more prevalent in the summer in Florida and can be deadly to your dog. Toads are most active after rainfall, dawn, dusk or nighttime so dog owners beware. These toads secrete a toxic substance through their glands and can shoot it up to 6 feet.

Cane toads are commonly found in yards, around buildings or near canals and ponds. Cane toads breed year-round in standing water, streams, canals and ditches.

Dogs love things that move and jump so they are attracted to the toad like a toy - and attempt to grab it in their mouths.  Poisoning occurs when a dog comes in contact with a cane toad through "mouthing" the toad; through biting or licking. They secrete a milky-white toxin, known as bufotoxin, made up of adrenaline, serotonin and tryptophan - like compounds, which is also present in their body tissues.

What to do:  Some of the warning signs are dilated eyes, heavy panting and red gums.

• Wash toxins forward out of mouth using a hose for 10 minutes, being careful not to direct water down the throat
• Wipe gums/tongue with towel/cloth to remove toxins
• Get your pet to a vet immediately

Learn more about the Cane Toad

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Bears

The Florida Black Bear is the largest native land mammal in Florida. It is shy and secretive, hiding in dense vegetation and rarely seen in the wild. A unique subspecies of the American black bear, the Florida black bear once roamed throughout Florida and over the border into southern Georgia and Alabama. Once numbering over 12,000, today an estimated 3,920 black bears remain, purely due to conservation efforts. Florida's black bears are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods, with eighty percent of their diet made up of plant material. Loss of habitat and being vehicle collisions are its main threats to survival. Conflicts between humans and bears are most often created by people, and most often by people with dogs. Intentional and unintentional feeding of bears is the number one source of the problem.

For more information on local wildlife inhabitants of the Everglades, visit: The National Parks Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

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Coyotes

Coyotes are an important part of Florida's natural ecosystem. They are highly adaptable and now can be found in urban, suburban and rural communities. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission coyote sightings are very common. Coyotes can be found in every county in Florida and are probably found within or near every major town or city as well. 

Follow these tips to avoid conflicts:

• Feeding coyotes is illegal. They will lose their fear of humans.
• Secure garbage cans, clean up pet food and fallen fruit.
• Keep pets in enclosed areas. Walk small dogs on a short leash.
• Outdoor cats are at risk.

The average Florida coyote weighs about 28 pounds and has a paw track about two inches long.

Be aware of unusual coyote behavior. Unusual behavior could include a coyote that has lost its fear of humans and is approaching people, chasing joggers and bikers, or attacking leashed pets.

REPORT UNUSUAL OR AGGRESSIVE COYOTE ACTIVITY to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission South Regional Office at 561-625-5122.

An encounter with a coyote in the urban and suburban landscape is a rare event, even where coyotes are found in large numbers.

These animals are generally nocturnal and seldom seen. You may catch a glimpse of a coyote, however, as they move from one part of their territory to another in search of prey (usually small mammals such as mice or voles).

Observing a coyote in this manner (even during the daytime) does not mean that the coyote is sick or aggressive. If the coyote is scared away by your presence, they are exhibiting natural behavior, and this should not be cause for concern.

In the FAQs below from Fish and Wildlife Commission you will find a lot of information.  One to note is: 

If You Encounter a Coyote...

Coyote attacks on people are very rare. More people are killed by errant golf balls and flying champagne corks each year than are bitten by coyotes. The following actions can be taken to deter coyotes. A coyote who does not run away when encountering humans has, most likely, become accustomed or habituated to people. This generally occurs when a coyote has been fed (in the form of handouts, pet food left outside, or unsecured garbage).

If you have a close encounter with a coyote, use the following techniques to deter the animal:

• Yelling and clapping
• Banging pots and pans together
• Spraying with garden hoses, water guns and sprinklers
• Utilizing noise making devices (air horns, whistles, cans filled with pennies, etc.)
• Installing motion sensor lights
• Motion sensor sprinkler systems
• Utilizing deterrent sprays

If you encounter an aggressive coyote in your neighborhood, report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's South Region Office at 561-625-5122. Do not report sightings. 

FWC asks people to report only unusual coyote behavior or any kind of negative encounter, such as a nuisance issue or a loss of a family pet. When people call about coyote problems, they will explain how to deal with the problem and also provide legal options. Their handling of coyote calls is primarily geared towards helping the public minimize or mitigate nuisance wildlife issues. If you want to report coyote sightings, you can download the App iNaturalist or some other citizen science-based program, or you can post it on Neighbors app or Next Door to alert neighbors so that those nearby can secure pets and other attractants such as pet food and garbage.

• To learn more about Coyotes in Florida from the FWC, click here.
• Interesting Facts and Frequently Asked Questions about Coyotes from the FWC, click here.
• For additional information, visit humansociety.org.

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White-tail Deer

Weston's mitigation area that buffers the City from the Everglades is a popular habitat for deer. Residents and motorists should be aware that deer sightings can be common, particularly in the areas along Manatee Isles Drive, SW 26th Street, Saddle Club and South Post Roads. Vehicle collisions are more frequent during deer migration and mating season in October, November, and December. Deer are most visible and active at dusk and dawn. They often travel in groups; so if you see one crossing the road, there are often more deer nearby.

If you see a deer in the roadway, brake but do not swerve. Most fatalities and injuries happen when drivers swerve their vehicle and hit a tree or another vehicle.

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Herons

The Florida Everglades and surrounding areas are home to many species of herons, egrets, and other wading birds. There are 16 species of wading birds remaining in the Everglades and they have similar features. They are all swift, silent hunters living mostly on aquatic prey. The most well known of the heron species is the largest wading bird in the Everglades, the Great Blue Heron, however the most common bird sighted in South Florida is the White Ibis.

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Iguanas

There are three species of iguanas in south Florida, and none of them are native. The creature enjoying the Florida sun in your yard, especially if you live on the water, can cause damage to your property by devouring valuable landscape plants, digging, holes for nesting, tearing window screens, and just causing a mess on decks, along seawalls, on car hoods/roofs, and other areas.   

Iguanas are not aggressive and will almost always run quickly to the nearest tree or water body to escape, but they can and will defend themselves against other animals and humans that try to catch or corner them – so the following methods are recommended to discourage the reptiles from setting up on your property. Due to a lack of cold weather over the last decade or more, the iguana population in south Florida has grown exponentially and conflicts with these scaly creatures are now a daily issue for most people.

Here are some tips to discourage iguanas from being near your property:

• NEVER feed iguanas
• Protect valuable plants with cages or screen enclosures
• If used in your landscape, the following plants discourage iguanas: citrus, milkweed, pigeon plum, oleanders, and coonties.
• AVOID planting iguana favorites such as hibiscus, orchids, impatiens, vegetable garden greens, and roses.
• Keep a water hose handy and available to spray iguanas when found basking in the sun on your property.

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Raccoons

This nocturnal animal is native to Florida and has adapted extremely well to the suburban environment even as South Florida's urban and suburban population growth increase has squeezed out their habitat. Raccoons often den in backyards, beneath decks, and inside accessible structures (such as sheds), or attics. They eat both plants and animals, and are opportunistic feeders. In addition to indulging on backyard fruits, nuts, and vegetables, they scavenge from garbage cans. Pet food left outside overnight ranks high as a food resource, and should be removed before nightfall. Pick up fallen fruits and nuts frequently. Raccoons also eat small rodents, insects and other small pests.

Raccoons may have that cute, cuddly look, but they are wild animals that can bite and scratch.

Rabies concern: The majority of rabies cases in the U.S. are in wildlife, and raccoon cases dominate. Rabies is a serious public health concern to South Florida humans and pets. Cats, dogs and horses are all susceptible to contracting this disease. In fact, cats have accounted for the greatest proportion of rabies cases reported to the Center for Disease Control since 1988. Broward County requires all domestic animals be vaccinated. If you see a raccoon, stay away and keep pets away from the animal as well.

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Snakes

Snakes can be found in every natural habitat in Florida, and play a beneficial role in natural ecosystems by eating insects, reodents, and other small prey. With 45 species of snakes in Florida, only six are venomous and a danger to humans and pets, and of those six, only one (water moccasin) is periodically found in the City of Weston. The snakes that most frequently turn up in backyard swimming pools are the ringneck snake and black racer, and they are totally harmless and eat only the annoying bugs, lizards and other critters you want gone, so do your best to think of them as "friends", not "foe." If one turns up in your pool, it can be removed with a skimmer and released into your garden or shrubs.

Florida snakes are not aggressive unless cornered and most snakes will flee rather than confront a human. You may fear snakes, but snakes fear you as well. If you see one, leave it alone and it will wander away on its own. Sometimes when basking in the sun, it may want to stay there until it gets warm.

When snakes bite: Biting is not a sign the snake is venomous or that it is vicious. It happens to be the only way they have to defend themselves. The only acceptable treatment for a venomous snakebite, involves the use of antivenin. If you or someone else is bitten by a venomous snake, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital or medical facility. Stay calm, remove any rings that could restrict circulation if hands swell, keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart, and call 9-1-1.

Florida Snake ID Guide – Florida Museum of Natural History (ufl.edu) 

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