Yes, There Are Dangerous Wild Animals in Florida (And That’s a Good Thing)

I know what you’re thinking. I’ve officially lost my mind. Who on earth would think that dangerous wild animals in Florida is a good thing?

Me, I guess. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jessica. I live in Verdana Village in Estero. I have the great joy of waking up every morning and looking at a beautiful protected preserve behind my home.

Not only is the view priceless, it’s good for the soul. Now that I’ve experienced the laidback Southwest Florida lifestyle, I never miss the concrete jungle that’s Chicago. Okay, okay, I miss the pizza. But that’s about it.

When it comes to that coveted Southwest Florida lifestyle, there’s a catch. You have to share the land with some dangerous wildlife. You can (and should) take precautions to be safe, but you also need to learn to live with the critters in peace.

Get to know the top 13 most dangerous wild animals in Southwest Florida, and discover why you want them to stick around. After all, a beautiful view is only as beautiful as the animals lurking in the shadows.

1. American Alligators

Why they’re dangerous

I don’t need to tell you this right? Take one look at a gator, and it’s easy to believe that dinosaurs still roam the earth.

While you’ll find crocodiles in Florida too, you’re more likely to find the American alligator lurking in that retention pond behind the house.

They’re opportunistic feeders, meaning you better not be in the wrong place at the wrong time. According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, they have between 74 and 80 teeth at any given time. The better to eat you, my dear.

Important habits to know

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, the “likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only one in 3.1 million.” Honestly, you’re probably more likely to get killed by a pickleball.

Still, it’s always important to educate yourself on their habits and take precautions. Alligators move incredibly fast on dry land, but they’re most likely to attack at the water’s edge. That’s because they’re ambush predators. Note to self, don’t walk down by the water — especially with a dog.

Mating season lasts from May through June, and you’ll find that gators are more active (and aggressive) during this period. Remember, humans can get a little nutty on a first date too. Just keep your eyes and open, and give them a wide berth.

Why we need American alligators

There’s plenty of perks to having gators around, aside from the fact that seeing something so prehistoric looking is kind of cool. Did you know that these behemoths dig gator holes that retain water during the dry season, making it an essential water source for creatures such as birds and turtles? Everyone loves turtles, right?

The National Park Service considers gators a “keystone species” in the Everglades. Nesting female alligators create peat, which is an important part of the carbon cycle. Some turtle species use abandoned gator nests to incubate their eggs. Sometimes those nests aren’t even abandoned. See, can’t we all just get a long?

How to live in harmony with alligators

First off, don’t feed them. If a gator’s been fed by humans, they tend to become “friendly” around humans. The gators that you find cooling off right up against your door are called “nuisance alligators.” You can call FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1‐866‐FWC‐GATOR.

However, there’s something you should know. These gators are NOT relocated. They’re euthanized. So please don’t report any gators who are blissfully minding their own business. Just think of those critical gator holes.

If you can follow these rules, you’ll find yourself much less frightened of these incredible creatures:

• Keep your dog on a leash
  
• Don’t go near the water
  
• Give gators a wide berth
  
• Don’t go anywhere near their babies

2. Florida Black Bears

Why they’re dangerous

Did you know that Florida black bears are the largest native land mammal in the state? Obviously, anything that big is going to look scary. Especially when it has claws. When black bears feel threatened, they huff and moan, stomp their feet, and clack their teeth. Also scary.

Perhaps most frightening of all, bears will bluff charge you in an attempt to frighten you if they’re scared. However, this doesn’t mean the bear is going to attack you. In fact, it generally means the opposite.

Important habits to know

Because their territories are constantly shrinking due to development, you might find one wandering around in your community. They love to root through garbage cans. Garbage everywhere? Yeah, that’s scary too.

Black bear attacks are extremely rare. When they do attack, it usually involves a dog. Starting to see a pattern here? They prefer to avoid humans, but that trash can you’ve got laying around is an easy food source.

Obviously, you don’t want a bear becoming dependent on you as a food source. A bear like that is going to become pretty comfortable around humans. If they could pay, they might even leave you a tip for the meal.

It also goes without saying that bears are more aggressive when their cubs are around. No one messes with mom, if you know what I mean.

Why we need Florida black bears

The Florida black bear is known as “umbrella species.” Because their territories are so large and diverse, they share those spaces with other threatened species. When black bear land is protected, everyone else on the food chain benefits. That’s a good thing. You remember the Lion King song. The circle of life really does move us all.

How to live in harmony with them

Obviously, get a lid for your trash can. Let me take a step back. Get a trash can. In fact, get two trash cans. I can’t tell you how many people I see leaving trash piled on top of a garbage can. Why not wave a red flag at a bull while you’re at it.

But for the sake of argument, let’s say you’re responsibly putting out your trash when you spot a black bear. There’s a few things you can do to protect yourself:

• Do not make sudden movements
  
• Remain standing up
  
• Back up slowly and make sure to leave the bear an escape route
  
• Talk calmly, but assertively (that’s to the bear, not yourself)
  
• Hold your ground if the bear gets aggressive; wave your arms and make noise
  
• Do not walk your dog at night, especially around natural preserves or wooded areas

3. Florida Panthers

Why they’re dangerous

Good news, they’re not. Well, they might be, but there’s no record of a Florida panther attack. Ever. Like most animals, they’re more scared of you than you are of them.

In fact, with so few left in the wild, there’s a good chance you won’t even see one. I’ve been living in panther territory for almost two years and have yet to see one outside of a photograph.

Important habits to know

First off, panthers want nothing to do with you. Which makes them pretty smart. They’re nocturnal, so be on the look out during those dusk and dawn strolls through your neighborhood.

Why we need Florida panthers

New residents are often surprised to learn that Florida panthers are tan, not black. Actually, new residents are often shocked to discover that there are panthers here in the first place. There’s a good reason for that.

Sadly, the Florida panther is one of the most endangered mammals in the entire world. Wildlife experts guess that there are only 120-130 of them left in the wild. While they use to roam all the way up to Arkansas, now their territory is confined to South Florida alone. Urban sprawl and vehicle collisions are the main culprit.

Even where I live is part of the problem. It used to be an orange farm (granted, not the best for the environment) where panthers could roam at will. Now there’s a luxury swimming pool and 2,400 homes. Male panthers need 200-square-miles of territory, and new homes get in the way of that.

But like the black bear, Florida panthers are an umbrella species. When the panther is in danger, everyone is in danger.

How to live in harmony with them

If by chance, you do encounter a panther and feel threatened, do not act like prey. That means no running and no crouching. Stand up tall, and make sure the panther has an escape route.

But because their numbers are so decimated, you’ll have to do some work if you want to live in harmony with them. Here are some ways you can help keep panther numbers up and Southwest Florida a beautiful landscape:

• Don’t drive like a maniac on the road (especially in panther territory)
  
• Give a donation to The Nature Conservancy
  
• Attend local city council meetings and make your voice heard

4. Mosquitoes

Why they’re dangerous

Like most people, I hate mosquitoes. I’m one of the unlucky ducks who happen to be allergic to them. If I wasn’t a “big picture” kind of gal, I’d happily eradicate them all from the face of the earth.

After all, mosquitoes aren’t just annoying. They’re truly terrifying. For anyone who’s read the quintessential Florida novel “A Land Remembered,” you’ll know that mosquitoes are more deadly than a million alligators put together. If you’re interested in a historical novel that turns into a Stephen King extravaganza for a second, I highly recommend you check it out.

I don’t want to ruin the book, so I won’t tell you just how scary mosquitoes are. But suffice it to say, they can attack in groups and cause fatal illnesses like malaria. If it wasn’t for modern pest control, I’d probably be dead by now. Did I mention mosquitoes love me?

Important habits to know

Supposedly, there are 3,500 species of mosquito on Earth, and they’re found everywhere except Antarctica. Looks like I’m moving to Antartica.

Mosquitos love stagnant water, so keep that in mind when you set up shop on that retention pond or preserve. As I mentioned earlier, a beautiful view comes with a price. That price is mosquitoes.

Only female mosquitoes bite (all the husbands in Florida are gloating right now). Most mosquitos only live for two weeks, and then the cycle of terror begins all over again.

Why we need mosquitoes

I hate writing this, because I clearly hate mosquitoes, but we do need them. For better or worse, mosquitoes are part of the circle of life. Beyond being part of the food web, mosquitoes are pollinators. It turns out, they don’t just drink blood! Who knew?

How to live in harmony with mosquitoes

Don’t worry, I’m not going to suggest you ditch the pest control. In fact, you’ll need it living down here. But, there are some natural remedies at your fingertips that don’t involve eradicating the species as a whole.

Consider me the official sponsor for Murphy’s bug spray. They’re not paying me (though considering how much I recommend them, they should). This plug is 100% authentic. The all-natural bug spray really works, and this is coming from a woman whom mosquitoes love. I’m practically a filet mignon in the shape of a human.

5. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Why they’re dangerous

Meet North America’s longest and meatiest venomous snake. The diamond-shaped pattern along its back makes it easily recognizable, so you can run screaming the moment you spot it. After all, their bite can be fatal to humans.

These big boys have no natural predators, so consider them the king of the animal kingdom. They puff themselves up when they feel frightened, which makes them even more terrifying to behold.

Important habits to know

Like gators, these rattlesnakes are ambush predators. They tend to hide behind logs or fallen trees and can wait patiently for hours at a time before attacking. So a piece of advice, don’t walk your dog in scrubland. I know, I know, you were tempted weren’t you?

They don’t prefer the water, but they’ll swim if they have too. So don’t take your dog swimming either.

You’ll know a rattle is going to bite you because its tail gives a final warning rattle before it strikes. You could almost call it kindly. My cat bites me without warning all the time.

Why we need Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes

Sadly, these snakes are subject to so many of the same threats as other dangerous wild animals in Florida. In addition to the usual vehicle collisions, diseases, and habitat loss, rattlesnakes have to worry about habitat degradation. Without prescribed fires, they can’t live their best lives in open pine forests. Hardwood tree species tend to take over, just like we humans do.

We need these little guys (I mean big guys) to keep kicking though. They’re essential for controlling the rodent population. How would you like it if there were palm rats running everywhere?

How to live in harmony with them

Good news. Thanks to antivenom, you probably won’t die from a rattlesnake bite, even if you’re so unlucky as to step one one.

Here’s some more good news. These rattlesnakes don’t want much to do with you. If you see one, there’s a good chance it will slither away on its own. Just give it plenty of space to get away in peace.

6. Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes

Why they’re dangerous

This snake is small compared to the Eastern Diamondback, but boy is it creepy looking. A reddish brown stripe and dark splotches run down the middle of its back. Its slender tail ends with a rattle.

Their bites hurt, but they’re not life threatening. Hmm, sounds a lot like my cat. I was going to add her to this list, but there’s only one of her so…

It’s easy to confuse the Dusky Pygmies with their non-venomous lookalikes: hognose snakes. But hognoses lack rattles or facial pits, so if you know what to look for, you can easily tell them apart.

Important habits to know

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes make their homes on lowland pine flatwoods, but you’ll also find them around lakes, ponds, and swamps. In Southwest Florida, you’ll mostly find them around the banks of canals that run through prairies and marshes. Of course, as the suburbs encroach on their lands, you’ll find them there too.

These snakes are not aggressive. If you encounter one, it will likely try to flatten itself against the ground and camouflage itself. If you’ve lost your mind and decide to provoke it, you’ll find that the snake will either try to recoil or shake its rattle at you. If you continue to provoke it, it could strike at you. But at that point, you had it coming.

Why we need Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes

Like their larger counterparts, Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes keep the rodent population under control. Enough said, right?

How to live in harmony with them

These snakes are threatened by continuous development, but they’re also often killed simply because people are afraid of them. However, unless they’re in your home, you should simply walk away and let this little guy be. Otherwise the palm rats might start checking out your home as prime real estate.

If you do happen to get a bite, get that thing taken care of. The hemotoxic can cause you to lose a finger or a toe if you’re not careful. That’s not something you can easily hide in sandal weather.

7. The Florida Cottonmouth

Why they’re dangerous

Also known as a Water Moccasin, the Florida Cottonmouth is a force to be reckoned with. It’s easier to identify this snake when it’s young, since it has light and dark brown crossbands filled with dark spots. However, as the snake ages, it turns black, just like so many other Florida snakes.

Their bites, though rare, are extremely dangerous to humans and their fur babies. Luckily, they rarely cause death.

Important habits to know

You’ll usually find these guys hanging around the water, hence the name “Water Moccasins.” They’re great swimmers, but you shouldn’t be swimming in that retention pond anyway. They also prefer to hunt at night.

They’re not typically aggressive, but they won’t back down if they feel threatened. Instead, they’ll open their jaws and show you their vivid white mouth. What can I say? Some critters are good at standing their ground.

Why we need Florida Cottonmouths

These snakes are a great snack for some of my favorite animals, including the Great Blue Heron. Through their scavenging, they keep our waterways clean. No one likes a dirty waterway.

How to live in harmony with them

Cottonmouths prefer to avoid you if you can. If you get bitten, it’s most likely because you stepped on one or went out of your way to provoke it.

Think hard before you go out of your way to kill one of these guys. People routinely misidentify harmless snakes for cottonmouths and kill them. It goes without saying that those harmless critters are essential to the environment, as well.

8. Eastern Coralsnakes

Why they’re dangerous

This creepy-looking critter, also known as the Harlequin Coralsnake has alternating red, yellow, and black rings — making it easy to identify. Their close lookalikes are the Scarlet Kingsnakes (although their yellow rings only touch the black ones).

While bites are rare, they’re extremely dangerous — so I’m including this beauty on the list.

Important habits to know

While you might find this snake out in the open, you’ll usually encounter them under debris. They prefer flatwoods, hammocks, and swamp borders, but they’re occasionally found in suburban areas that have encroached on their land.

If the snake feels threatened, it will either flee or hide their head behind their coils and waive their tail in the air. If you attack them, they will bite, but at that point, you can hardly blame them.

Why we need Eastern Coralsnakes

As predators, they helpfully control the insect and amphibian population. Of course, they’re also prey, meaning they’re an important source of food for other animals.

These snakes are not aggressive. In fact, they’re just ask likely to avoid your pet as they are to avoid humans. If a Coralsnake bites you, it means you were messing with it. If you do lose your mind and decide to mess with it, seek medical attention immediately.

9. Termites

Why they’re dangerous

Ugh, termites. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, these destructive critters cause more destruction to residential buildings than storms, fires, and floods. Thanks to their size, they’re often not detectable until the wood in your home has broken open due to an infestation.

The danger isn’t limited to home destruction, however. They contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, we can blame rising temperatures on someone else!

Termites might be tiny, but they’re a terror to look at up close. Check out those pinchers and bulbous bodies. Yuck!

Important habits to know

Termites love the hot, humid Florida climate. They live in colonies and inhabit elaborate mounds that look like something out of a fantasy novel. Interestingly enough, termites are blind. They communicate through chemical signals and vibrations.

Why we need termites

I hate to be the bearer of bad new, but we do need termites to decompose wood and fertilize the soil. They also break down dead plant material, which in turn sequesters carbon in the soil. Any carbon stored in the soil means that there’s less emitted in the atmosphere. So somehow termites are responsible for greenhouse gases, but they also help lower them. That’s weird.

While I can’t say for sure I understand the carbon part, I can easily grasp that their termite mounds offer shelter to insects, reptiles, and mammals. I think we can all agree that’s very hospitable.

Lastly, they’re a great food source for lots of other critters. What can I say? Not everyone has great taste in cuisine.

How to live in harmony with them

Your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover termite damage, so it’s important to hire a pest control service — especially if you live with a preserve behind you like I do.

We want termites decomposing dead wood in the preserves, not our homes. So don’t feel bad about hiring a pest control service. Just don’t have them go and fumigate the woods.

10. Palmetto Bugs

Why they’re dangerous

Palmetto bug is the Southern term for “cockroach.” When people reference it, they usually mean American cockroaches or smokybrown cockroaches. Cockroaches are always scary, but these critters actually fly. You heard me. Fly!

They don’t bite, so they’re not exactly dangerous in the traditional sense. But they do spread disease and cause allergies, none of which are fun to deal with.

Important habits to know

The good news for someone like me is that they don’t prefer new construction. They like mature hardwood trees in high-humidity climates. They like moisture, so if they enter your home, they’re probably looking for water.

Why we need palmetto bugs

Even though they’re not native, it turns out palmetto bugs are useful after all. Like termites, they recycle debris. In fact, they’ll recycle almost anything in their wake, including dead animals and animal waste. Gross! But still helpful to the planet.

How to live in harmony with them

You obviously don’t need to invite cockroaches into your home just because they’re good for the environment. Be preemptive with the following steps:

• Seal entry points around the home
  
• Keep yard free of debris
  
• Fix any leaks
  
• Keep garbage in sealed containers
  
• Don’t leave food out

If you do see them, call an exterminator. I’ll forgive you.

11. Widow Spiders

Why they’re dangerous

There are four types of widow spiders found in Florida; and for the sake of time, I won’t go into all of them. The important thing to know is that three of them are native, and they all look really creepy. Their bites are rarely fatal, but they do cause some pretty nasty symptoms:

• Intense pain
  
• Muscle cramping
  
• Malaise
  
• Local sweating
  
• Nausea & vomiting
  
• Hypertension

Yeah, I’ll pass…

Important habits to know

These crafty creatures build three-dimensional tangled webs and are mostly active at night. With continual human encroachment, they’ve taken over outbuildings and other man-made structures that have been unused for long periods of time.

Because they’re timid, they’ll generally only bite you if you accidentally touch one. This can happen if you’re putting on a garden glove or reaching under an object like a grill.

Why we need widow spiders

Widow spiders control the insect population. They also eat flies and mosquitoes. That makes them my best friend.

How to live in harmony with them

You can make your environment less attractive to widow spiders by following these easy steps:

• Keep your house clean
  
• Keep wood and debris away from the foundation of your house or your garage
  
• Seal water meter compartments

Lastly, make sure to always wear protective gloves when you’re gardening or cleaning outside. If you do get a bite, seek immediate medical attention.

12. Wolf Spiders

Why they’re dangerous

So I have some good news. Wolf spiders look way scarier than they actually are. With spiny legs, three rows of eyes, and meaty bodies, they sure know how to cause a fright. Luckily, their bites aren’t deadly.

Important habits to know

Wolf spiders are excellent adapters, which means you might find them in the forest or a cozy corner in your house. Believe it or not, they don’t spin webs. These bad boys simply pounce on their prey. As nocturnal creatures, they use the cover of darkness to ambush unsuspecting insects. Sounds like a horror film.

Wolf spiders are not aggressive, but they will bite you if you annoy them. Their venom is mostly a defense mechanism against prey, which means humans are generally safe from it. The bites will hurt and swell, but you’ll live to tell the tale.

Why we need wolf spiders

Consider wolf spiders part of your official pest control team. These creepy crawlers keep the insect population in check — and that’s always a good thing.

How to live in harmony with them

Again, preventative measures are your best best:

• Seal cracks around the home
  
• Use screens & door sweeps to prevent additional access points
  
• Clear yard of debris

13. Spiny Orb-Weavers

Why they’re dangerous

To be honest, I kind of love this spider. Sure, it can bite, but it doesn’t cause serious harm. So it’s not really dangerous. In fact, I probably should have saved this last spot for my cat. She bites and scratches and is definitely dangerous. Of course, I’m really the only one in danger.

But I had to include these tiny little creatures. I mean, look at it! It’s basically a mini mushroom with legs and horns.

Even if they’re not dangerous, there’s a good chance encountering one of these babies might freak you out. So allow me to put your fears at ease.

Important habits to know

While you’ll usually find them hanging out in citrus trees and shrubs, it’s not unheard of to find them building nests on the side of your house. If you see an egg sac, that means you’ve got an infestation on your hands.

They will bite you if you provoke them, like almost any other creature, but it won’t cause you any real harm. They’re not aggressive either, so if they do bite you, it probably means you’re being the aggressor. Sorry to break it to you.

Why we need spiny orb-weavers

We need them for the same reason we need all the other creepy bugs. They eat mosquitoes, flies, moths, and beetles. Enough said.

How to live in harmony with them

Did someone say “preventative measures?”

• Swap lighting around the exterior of your home with yellow “bug lights”
  
• Remove webs found around the exterior of your home

Invasive Species That We Don’t Want in Florida

Of course, there’s plenty of dangerous animals that we don’t want in Florida. These invasive species decimate the native flora and fauna. Some of them are just as dangerous to humans.

For those who haven’t been bitten by fire ants, I promise you, it’s absolutely as horrible as it sounds. And for those who haven’t seen the terrifying photos of a Burmese python swallowing a deer, you’re lucky.

Apologies but feral cats are not included on my list. If you know me, you know that I love cats. No one’s perfect.

For all of my animal lovers, don’t feel too guilty about eliminating these critters. Just remember, it’s easy to misidentify certain animals. Make sure you call in the professional wildlife trappers to be safe.

Like what you read? Learn more about what it’s like to live in Estero. And of course, please drop a line and let me know your favorite animal on the list.