page_title: Ecology of Florida
section_title: Fauna
hierarchical_section_title: Ecology of Florida / Biotic environment / Fauna
caption_attribution_description: English: A Gulf Fritillary butterfly in Payne's Prairie, Florida.
context_page_description: The ecology of Florida is remarkable due to its climate and diverse ecological regions. From the northwestern panhandle to the Everglades, differences in hydrology, climate, landforms, soil types, flora and fauna shape each ecoregion, creating a complex and unique landscape that has been recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. A misconception often associated with the Florida landscape is that the changes of density and diversity of flora seem chaotic or random, however, Eugene Odum's research states that "…over the long term plant habits showed remarkable continuity." The introduction of different species caused certain evolutionary developments – some plants grew more quickly and in larger numbers, while others could survive longer – to sustain themselves in a dense environment.
context_section_description: Florida was once home to a very diverse array of wildlife.  Bobcats were once very prominent in Florida, but land development, drained marshland, and deforestation are pushing this species of lynx into more northern areas. Florida also has many species of armadillo, opossum, foxes and birds like the American eagle and osprey, but are also being forced from their natural environments and into more urban areas, contributing to high percentages of roadkill.  The Wildlife Foundation of Florida acts to gain collaboration of the public in order to protect and conserve all types of wildlife from land and air to water.
  The insect population of Florida is also unique.  The Gulf fritillary is a butterfly native to Florida grasslands.  One such area is Payne's Prairie in Gainesville, Florida.  Other Florida native insects include various species of mites including Florida termites and many types of ants, like the fire ant.
caption: A Gulf fritillary, taken in Payne's Prairie State Park, Florida
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