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CIR1467

Florida State Symbols1 Shelly A. Johnson, Megan T. Ellis, and Martin B. Main2

Introduction Size: males—about 7 feet, 85–155 pounds; females—about 6 feet, 50–100 pounds has a diversity of habitats that support a rich flora and fauna. Juan Ponce de Leon, who explored Florida in Range: south Florida 1513 in search of the mythical “Fountain of Youth,” recog- nized Florida for its beauty. Ponce de Leon claimed Florida Habitat: pinelands, hardwood hammocks, mixed swamp for Spain and named this new land “Pascua de Florida,” forests which translates as “feast of flowers.” Florida was sold to the United States in 1819 and became the 27th state of the Fun Facts: United States on March 3, 1845. • home range size averages 75 square miles for females, 200 Today, Florida is known as the Sunshine State. The state sq. mi. for males capitol resides in Tallahassee. In honor of Florida’s natural • females give birth to 1–5 kittens that stay with the mother resources, state legislators have identified numerous state for 1–2 years symbols. • listed as state and federally endangered Florida State • they can run a few hundred yards at their max speed, 35 Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) mph • they can travel 15–20 miles in a day • lifespan 12–15 years in the wild In 1982, students throughout Florida chose the Florida panther over the manatee, alligator, and Florida Key deer to be designated as the Florida state animal. With numbers estimated at only 120 to 230 , the panther is not only one of Florida’s most endangered species, but one of the most endangered mammals in the world. A relative of the western cougar, the Florida panther needs vast tracks of wild lands to procure food and mates without conflicting Figure 1. Florida panther. with neighboring panthers. Captive breeding programs Credits: USFWS helped establish a stable population of panthers and

1. This document is CIR1467, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 2005. Revised December 2017. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Shelly A. Johnson, state specialized Extension agent; Megan T. Ellis, student; and Martin B. Main, professor and associate dean, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. increased genetic diversity of the population. Unfortunately, approximately every five minutes, which puts them in dan- Florida’s rapidly expanding population is continually ger of collision with motorboats. Approximately 25 percent pushing development farther into panther territory. Despite of all recorded manatee deaths are caused by motorboats, increased awareness and concern, continued loss of habitat and many more animals are injured each year. Slow speed paints a bleak future for the Florida panther. zones have been implemented in many Florida waterways in an effort to protect manatees. Listed as endangered Florida State Marine Mammal by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act since 1973, in 2006, manatees were West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) down-listed to threatened as their populations started to recover. The manatee population in Florida is estimated between 2,500 to 3,500 animals. Management strategies that have helped them recover will remain in place to ensure their survival long-term. Florida State Saltwater Mammal Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Figure 2. Florida manatee. Credits: UF/IFAS Size: up to 13 feet long and 3,000 pounds

Range: southeastern United States and Bahamas but can travel to Rhode Island and with warm waters

Habitat: rivers, canals, estuaries, saltwater bays

Fun Facts: Figure 3. Bottlenose dolphin. Credits: Lee Island Visitor and Convention Bureau • eats 60–100 pounds of aquatic vegetation each day • sleeps on the bottom; surfaces every 5–20 minutes to Size: adult 6 to 13 feet, 330 to 1400 pounds breathe • related to elephants, hyraxes, and aardvarks Range: worldwide • ribs and long bones lack marrow cavities; these solid Habitat: brackish waters, river mouths, oceans, bays, bones serve the same purpose as a diver’s weights estuaries • snout is prehensile, meaning it can grab food and other objects, just like your hand Fun Facts: • brain is smooth rather than fissured • live in family groups (2–15 individuals) known as “pods”; • lifespan up to 60 years multiple pods form herds In 1975, the legislature designated the West Indian manatee • reproduce one offspring every 2–3 years the state marine mammal. Although the name has at times • interact with humans in the wild caused confusion, the West Indian manatee is native to • use echolocation to find prey Florida as well as the West Indies (Caribbean Islands) and portions of Central and South America. The manatee is a • lifespan 40–50 years large, slow-moving mammal that lives in Florida’s coastal The 1975 Florida Legislature designated the “porpoise,” estuaries and rivers, where it eats massive quantities of which is a term that is sometimes used to describe the aquatic plants. These gentle giants must surface for air

Florida State Symbols 2 bottlenose dolphin, as the official Florida saltwater mam- commercial fishers. Anglers are encouraged to catch and mal. Although porpoises and dolphins are related (Order release this beautiful state fish. Cetacea), there are no true porpoises found in Florida waters. Bottlenose dolphins are frequently observed in Florida State Freshwater Fish Florida’s coastal waters and are known for their playfulness, Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) often racing abreast or in the wake of motorboats. Typical dolphin antics include breaching and mid-air twists. Historically, sailors have considered the presence of dol- phins as a sign of good luck. Pollutants, habitat destruction, biotoxins, direct harvest, viral outbreaks, and accidental injury and mortality from commercial fishing gear threaten dolphins. The stability of their population is unknown. Florida State Saltwater Fish Sailfish Istiophorus( platypterus)

Figure 5. Florida largemouth bass. Credits: USFWS

Size: maximum length 3 feet, averages 4–8 pounds

Range: Florida, introduced in other states Figure 4. Sailfish. Credits: Diane Peebles Habitat: prefers warm, slow-moving water Size: Atlantic variety—up to 11 feet, 25–50 pounds Fun Facts: Range: worldwide; Atlantic and Gulf of coasts • Florida’s official largemouth bass record is 17.27 pounds Fun Facts: • the world-record bass weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces and was caught in Montgomery Lake, , on June 2, • typically live about 5 years 1932 • groups of sailfish raise sails to corral schooling fish • one of the most widely distributed fish in the world • can swim 68 mph, faster than marlin Florida designated the largemouth bass as the state freshwa- • color varies based on excitement level ter fish in 1975. Florida is the only state to have two official state fish symbols (e.g., saltwater and freshwater). The The Atlantic sailfish was first described in 1792. Today, largemouth bass may well be the most popular freshwater sailfish are a popular saltwater game fish in Florida’s game fish in the United States. Largemouth bass are native offshore waters. They are named for their large, sail-like to or stocked in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers in nearly dorsal fin that is raised when they are excited or come to every state. The Florida largemouth bass is a subspecies the surface. Sailfish become “excited” when fighting anglers, of the northern largemouth bass and is known to grow catching prey, and competing for mates. Sailfish are bril- faster than northern races. Although Florida largemouth liantly colored with dark, iridescent blue on top, silver on bass were originally found only in Florida, they have been the belly, and purple stripes on the back. They often travel stocked elsewhere in the United States (e.g., Texas and and feed in schools. Sailfish are known among anglers for California), and across the world (e.g., South Africa, Japan, their fighting ability and tendency to leap out of the water. Europe, and New Zealand). In recent years, sailfish populations have declined across their range from overfishing and accidental harvest by

Florida State Symbols 3 Florida State Reptile Florida State Shell American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Horse conch (Triplofusus giganteus)

Figure 7. Horse conch. Credits: Jacksonville Shell Club

Figure 6. American alligator. Size: 4–24 inches long Credits: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS Size: adult female—averages 8 feet, 160 pounds; adult Range: to Florida and Texas male—averages 11 feet, 400 pounds Habitat: sandy, shallow marine waters near shore Range: North Carolina to Florida; west to central Texas Fun Facts: Habitat: swamps, deep marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, canals • largest marine snail in Florida waters Fun Facts: • predatory; grabs other snails and inserts toothed tongue to devour soft flesh • largest record alligator from Florida measured 19 feet long The horse conch, also known as the giant band shell, was designated Florida’s state shell in 1967. The horse conch is • alligators lose and replace 2,000–3,000 teeth in a lifetime native to marine waters surrounding Florida. It is the largest • alligators wallow out deep holes in wetlands that create snail (shell) found in Florida’s coastal waters and one of the important habitat for other animals largest in the world. It is often found in sea grass meadows, In 1987, the American alligator was designated the official where it hunts other snails. Florida state reptile. Alligators occur in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers throughout Florida and are characterized Florida State by their broad, rounded snouts and dark color. In contrast, Northern ( polyglottos) Florida crocodiles occur in marine and estuarine waters of extreme south Florida and have light coloration, narrow snouts, and protruding teeth. Alligators were hunted nearly to extinction and were listed as an endangered species in 1967. With proper management and protection, alligator populations recovered and are plentiful in Florida today. Increased numbers of alligators and a growing human population in the state increases risks of alligator-human conflicts. This is particularly true for alligators that are fed because they lose their fear of humans and begin to see humans as a source of food. It is not only dangerous but illegal to feed alligators in Florida. Figure 8. Northern mockingbird. Credits: USFWS

Size: 9–11 inches

Florida State Symbols 4 Range: from southern Canada to southern Mexico, West • older butterflies seem to have first choice at sleeping Indies and introduced in perches • at dawn, the first butterfly to awaken rouses the others by Habitat: urban areas, farms, roadsides, dense thickets gently touching them Fun Facts: Florida’s newest state symbol was designated in 1996, at the request of garden clubs across the state. The zebra butterfly • range is expanding northward (previously called zebra longwing) has elongated, black • attack other during nesting season wings with yellow stripes and long antennae. The butterfly’s distinctive pattern resembles shadows and light filtering • known for singing and ability to mimic other birds through the forest canopy. The bold pattern is also believed In 1927, the mockingbird was designated as the Florida to serve as warning to predators of the butterfly’s nauseating state bird. The mockingbird is gray with large, white patches taste, which comes from toxins obtained from eating plants on its wings and and is noted for its singing ability. in the passion vine family. Zebra butterflies are unusual Mockingbirds may sing for hours each day and throughout in that they cluster at night and sleep in groups, returning the year to defend their feeding territories. In particular, repeatedly to the same roost. mockingbirds are skilled in their ability to mimic the songs and calls of other birds. It is believed that they can Florida State Tree mimic at least 30 species of birds as well as other sounds, palm (Sabal palmetto) such as barking . The mockingbird is the state bird of four other states. Attempts have been made to change the Florida state bird to the , a charismatic, endangered species endemic to Florida, but these have been unsuccessful to date. Florida State Insect Zebra butterfly (Heliconius charitonius)

Figure 9. Zebra butterfly. Figure 10. Sabal palm. Credits: UF/IFAS Credits: Megan Ellis Size: 3–4 inches Size: leaf blades—3–4 feet; height—up to 90 feet

Range: southern United States coastal plain, Central Range: North Carolina to Florida America, West Indies, South America Habitat: wet to dry hammocks/prairies, urban areas, Habitat: hammocks, swamps, forests coastal areas.

Fun Facts: Fun Facts:

• sleep in groups and return to the same roost every night • berries eaten by wildlife

Florida State Symbols 5 • Seminoles used berries in medicinal remedies Florida State Flower • old leaf stalks on trunks (bootjacks) provide habitat for Orange blossom (Citrus species) small animals The sabal palm, also known as the cabbage palm, was designated the state tree in 1953 and occurs on the Florida state seal. Designation as the state tree followed years of debate that considered the royal palm, slash pine, and longleaf pine as other options. Oddly enough, the sabal palm is not a true tree and, as a palm, is more closely related to grasses. Early Floridians had a variety of uses for the sabal palm. The bud of the tree is edible and is known as heart of palm and swamp cabbage; the trunk and fronds were used to build shelter; and various fibrous parts were used to make cordage. Figure 12. Orange blossom. Credits: UF/IFAS Florida State Wildflower Size: average tree height 12 feet Coreopsis (Coreopsis species) Range: mainly central and south Florida

Habitat: wild species found in hammocks

Fun Facts:

• Florida produces the majority of oranges grown in the United States • 90–95 percent of the Florida orange crop is processed for juice • orange blossoms are used in tea and bakery products • most of Florida’s honey is produced from bees that gather orange blossom nectar Figure 11. Coreopsis. Credits: UF/IFAS The orange blossom was Florida’s original state flower and was designated as such in 1909. Because the orange tree Size: 1–3 feet is not native to Florida, Coreopsis was added as the state wildflower in 1991. Florida’s citrus industry developed from Range: most of United States 16th century Spanish introductions that grew well and became established in Florida’s warm climate. Indians and Habitat: wet to dry soils pioneers transplanted citrus trees throughout the warmer parts of the state. During the 1830s, commercial citrus trees Fun Facts: were grafted on sour orange rootstock to improve disease • flower heads provide food source for seed-eating birds resistance and create a commercial market. Florida quickly became known for its oranges, and orange juice was named • sometimes called tickseed because disc flowers look like the state beverage of Florida in 1967. Today, the Florida small bugs citrus industry has an annual economic impact estimated at In 1991, all flowers in theCoreopsis genus were designated $9 billion. as the Florida state wildflower. Thirteen species ofCoreopsis occur in Florida, 12 of which are native, including one that is endangered (Coreopsis integrifolia). Coreopsis flowers occur in a variety of colors ranging from yellow to pink and are used extensively in roadside beautification programs.

Florida State Symbols 6 Florida State Stone Range: peninsular Florida Agatized coral (Siderastrea species) Habitat: mesic flatwoods

Fun Facts:

• formed from sandy marine deposits • does not occur in any other state; it is endemic to Florida • Myakka (pronounced My-yak-a) is a Native American word for “big waters” In May 1989, Myakka fine sand was named the state soil of Florida. Myakka soils consist of very deep, poorly drained sandy soils. These soils are characteristic of Florida’s mesic flatwoods where you can find longleaf pine, slash pine, saw palmetto, gallberry, wax myrtle, and many other species. A suite of wildlife species depend on this ecosystem and the Figure 13. Agatized coral. Credits: Mark A. Wilson, Wikimedia Commons soil that makes it possible. Much of this habitat has been converted to commercial forest production, pasture, and Range: In Florida, Tampa Bay, Econfina River, Withla- citrus. coochee River, Suwannee River

Fun Facts: Florida State Gem Moonstone • lived 28–23 million years ago (late Oligocene) Agatized coral was named the state stone of Florida in 1979. Agatized corals are the fossilized remains of coral, which, over time, become geodes lined with smooth, spherical agate. This happens as acidic groundwater dissolves the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral. Dissolved silica partially replaces the calcium carbonate and the water deposits minerals like iron and manganese, creating the cave-like appearance of the stone. Florida State Soil Myakka fine sand

Figure 15. Moonstone. Credits: Wouter Hagens, Wikimedia Commons

Fun Facts:

• not found in Florida Moonstone was chosen as Florida’s state gem to commemo- Figure 14. Myakka fine sand. rate the many space expeditions launched from Kennedy Credits: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS Space Center in Brevard County, including humankind’s

Florida State Symbols 7 first trip to the moon! Moonstone does not occur naturally State of Florida. Florida Facts, Florida State Symbols. in Florida and is a form of the mineral feldspar. Florida Department of State. Available from http://dos. myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/. Additional Information Stephens, J.M. 2015. Cabbage, Swamp – Sabal Palmetto Bridges, A., and C. Bester. Micropterus salmoides. Florida (Walt.) Lodd ex Schult. & Schult.f. HS-571. Gainesville: Museum of Natural History. Available from https://www. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/discover/species-profiles/ Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MV038. micropterus-salmoides. United States Department of Agriculture. USDA’s National Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Agricultural Statistics Service Florida Field Office. Available Available from http://www.freshfromflorida.com/. from http://www.nass.usda.gov/fl.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. United States Department of Agriculture. 2013. National Managed Species: Florida Panther. Available from http:// Cooperative Soil Survey: Myakka Series. Available from www.myfwc.com/Panther. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/M/ MYAKKA.html. Froese, R. and D. Pauly, Editors. 2017. FishBase (version 06/2017). Available from http://www.fishbase.org. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department. 2001. Alligators and Crocodiles, Quick Reference Sheet. WEC- Gardieff, S.Istiophorus platypterus. Florida Mu- QRS-003. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute seum of Natural History. Available from https://www. of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://ufdc.ufl.edu/ floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/discover/species-profiles/ IR00005950/00001. istiophorus-platypterus. Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2004. Atlas of Florida Gilman, E.F., and D.G. Watson. 2013. Sabal Palmetto: Sabel Plants. Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South or Cabbage Palm. ENH-733. Gainesville: University of Florida, Tampa. Available from www.plantatlas.usf.edu. Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http:// edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ST575.

Hill, K. 2006. Species Inventory: Trichechus manatus latirostris, Florida Manatee. Smithsonian Marine Sta- tion. Available from http://www.sms.si.edu/IRLSpec/ Trichec_manatu.htm.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Species: Common Bottlenose Dolphin. NOAA Fisheries. Available from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/ common-bottlenose-dolphin.

Portell, R. Object 19: Agatized (Fossil) Coral. Florida Museum of Natural History. Available from https://www. floridamuseum.ufl.edu/100years/agatized-fossil-coral/.

Richardson, L.W., and M.B. Main, 2008. Did I See a Pan- ther? WEC-145. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ UW144.

Sprott, P. and F.J. Mazzotti, 2001. Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) SS-WIS-46. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://ufdc.ufl. edu/IR00005959/00001

Florida State Symbols 8