Wildlife for the Workforce Part II: Turtles and Tortoises, Snakes, Bees, and Exotic Animals Sarasota County Parks and Recreation
Turtles and Tortoises Common cooter Green sea turtle Gopher tortoise Terrapin Turtles, terrapins, and tortoises are commonly encountered at beaches and parks Tortoises reside on dry land Turtles live in or near water
Live in deep burrows Dune habitat is perfect Burrows important to other species Protected species Gopher tortoises Federally listed as a threatened species
Why do turtles try to cross the road? They are either looking for a place to lay eggs, or moving from one pond to the other due to dry conditions, competition for habitat or suitable mates. When you see a turtle trying to cross a road, when possible move the turtle across to the other side in the direction they are trying to go!
All reports of bees are handled through Sarasota County Mosquito Control. An evaluation of the hive and the site will be done to determine whether the hive will be left intact, relocated, or exterminated.
Florida has 44 species of native snakes-more than any other southeastern state Florida snakes range from 8-8 long! Natural pest control Most snakes harmless All snakes beneficial Snakes
Snake Facts Most non-venomous snakes will rattle their tails and spray musk when stressed All snakes bite when threatened, but non-venomous snakebites are mild due to small teeth, no venom Of the 44 native snakes, only 6 venomous and only four venomous in Sarasota County
Poisonous vs. Venomous Poisonous means if you eat it you will get sick! (Poison is absorbed through the skin and tissues) Venomous means if it bites you, you will get sick! (Venom is injected into the skin and tissues) NOTE: All snakebite victims should seek medical attention unless the snake was positively identified as non-venomous!
Venomous Snakes in Florida (There are NO POISONOUS snakes in Florida, but there are SIX VENOMOUS snakes in Florida!) Cottonmouth/Water moccasin Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Timber Rattlesnake (only in North Florida) Copperhead (only in North Florida) Eastern Coral Snake (black head, red touches yellow)
Non-native snakes in Florida Non-native species with breeding populations in Florida: Burmese Python (Python molurus)-everglades (This is the snake we are most concerned with in Sarasota County) Indian Rock Python (Python sebae)-miami Boa Constrictor (Boa Constrictor)-Miami Brahiminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus)
Up to 20 feet in length Known to prey on at least 20 Florida native species including whitetailed deer, wood storks, alligators and bobcats Wide variety of habitats Range up to 40 miles each year Burmese Pythons
Non-native lizards in Florida Non-native species with breeding populations in Florida: Black spiny-tailed iguana (This is a significant problem in Sarasota County) Nile monitor lizard Green iguana Cuban anole
Black Spiny-tailed Iguanas Introduced in Florida 30 years ago via pet trade Takes over gopher tortoise burrows Eats bird and tortoise eggs, small mammals, insects, crabs, and hatchling sea turtles Found at Blind Pass, Lemon Bay Park, and Shamrock Park Environmentally destructive Juvenile spiny-tailed iguana
Please report sightings of large snakes or lizards to the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or to 1-800-IveGot1 Sarasota County has an Exotic Reptile Management Plan that reports sightings to a statewide database.!!! It is important to report all sightings!!!
Beach Driving Protocol Best Management Practices Drive on hardpacked sand only Avoid wrack line or dense seaweed Lower tire pressure to minimize ruts Drive slowly! These practices have been established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Contacts: For bees, snakes, exotic reptiles, and gopher tortoise issues, there is only one number you need to remember: call 941-861-5000
Thank you!
Wildlife for the Workforce Part II: Evaluation Turtles and Tortoises, Snakes, Bees, and Exotic Animals Sarasota County Parks and Recreation
Turtles and Tortoises When you see a turtle or tortoise crossing the road and you are able to stop, you should: A. Turn the animal around and move it a safe distance back where it came from B. Move the animal across the road in the direction in which it was heading C. Leave it alone and wait to see if it survives the trip D. Call Animal Services
Turtles and Tortoises When you see a turtle or tortoise crossing the road and you are able to stop, you should: A. Turn the animal around and move it a safe distance back where it came from B. Move the animal across the road in the direction in which it was heading C. Leave it alone and wait to see if it survives the trip D. Call Animal Services
Bees When you encounter a bee hive, what information will the call center need for the purposes of reporting the hive? A. Whether or not anyone was stung B. The address and exact location where the hive can be found C. A contact name and number D. Date and time of discovery E. All of the above
Bees When you encounter a bee hive, what information will the call center need for the purposes of reporting the hive? A. Whether or not anyone was stung B. The address and exact location where the hive can be found C. A contact name and number D. Date and time of discovery E. All of the above
Snakes The four venomous snakes that can be found in Sarasota County include the following: A. Dusky pygmy rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback, Eastern coral snake and the Burmese python B. Dusky pygmy rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback, Eastern coral snake and the Eastern indigo snake C. Eastern diamondback, Eastern coral snake, timber rattlesnake, and the copperhead D. Eastern diamondback, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, water moccasin, and the Eastern coral snake
Snakes The four venomous snakes that can be found in Sarasota County include the following: A. Dusky pygmy rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback, Eastern coral snake and the Burmese python B. Dusky pygmy rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback, Eastern coral snake and the Eastern indigo snake C. Eastern diamondback, Eastern coral snake, timber rattlesnake, and the copperhead D. Eastern diamondback, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, water moccasin, and the Eastern coral snake
Non-native Reptiles Sarasota County has been working to control a particular kind of invasive lizard. This lizard has done tremendous environmental harm to the gopher tortoise population on Boca Grande. What species of lizard is a significant problem in Sarasota County? A. Green iguanas B. Cuban anoles C. Nile monitor lizards D. Black spiny-tailed iguanas E. Lounge lizards
Non-native Reptiles Sarasota County has been working to control a particular kind of invasive lizard. This lizard has done tremendous environmental harm to the gopher tortoise population on Boca Grande. What species of lizard is a significant problem in Sarasota County? A. Green iguanas B. Cuban anoles C. Nile monitor lizards D. Black spiny-tailed iguanas E. Lounge lizards
Beach Driving Protocol Beach nesting birds and sea turtles make their nests in or on the sandy beach, and are particularly vulnerable to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. By practicing safe beach driving protocol, we can help to ensure the survival of protected species on our beaches. What IS NOT characteristic of good beach driving protocol as recommended by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission? A. Drive on hard packed sand only B. Stay away from the wrackline or dense seaweed C. Lower tire pressure D. Drive slowly E. None of the above.
Beach Driving Protocol Beach nesting birds and sea turtles make their nests in or on the sandy beach, and are particularly vulnerable to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. By practicing safe beach driving protocol, we can help to ensure the survival of protected species on our beaches. What IS NOT characteristic of good beach driving protocol as recommended by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission? A. Drive on hard packed sand only B. Stay away from the wrackline or dense seaweed C. Lower tire pressure D. Drive slowly E. None of the above.