Endangered Species: a species at risk of extinction because of human activity, changes in climate, changes in predator-prey ratios, etc., esp. when officially designated as such by a governmental agency such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
With an average of 200 adult butterflies, this butterfly has been on the Endangered Species list since August 31, 1984. This butterfly lives strictly in subtropical forests, and can be found between Key Biscayne Park to Upper Matecumbe Key of the Florida Keys.
http://www.butterflyrecovery.org/species_profiles/schaus_swallowtail/
The Key Deer is no indigenous to the Keys, but they have become a well-known and popular trademark. It is believed that they migrated down to the Keys during the Wisconsin Glaciation. They are very human friendly, but it is illegal to come into contact with them. The Key Deer can mostly be found on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, al though they have been spotted as far south as Summerland Key. They look just like their cousins, the White Tale deer, except a bit smaller. Many different theories have developed as to why they are so small. A local favorite is because they eat the leaves of the mangroves, their growth has stunted through evolution because of all of the salt on the leaves.
The Florida Keys are home to some of the worlds most beautiful and diverse habitats. Over the years, the Keys have seen many changes, some of them natural, but most of them man-made. Hurricanes have taken their toll throughout the past century, and have slowly withered away the Keys every season. Global warming is responsible for the declining loss of one the worlds last living Coral Reefs, which, in return, loses the capability to provide a home to many diverse underwater species. This alone has put a devastatingly decrease in tourist attraction. Big name corporations are coming in and clearing out the mangroves on newly bought land, which has never seen a human footprint because it was bought out of sanctuary protection, to provide unwanted condominiums, housing, and timeshare resorts. Because of habitat destruction and economic expansion, diverse species are earning an unwanted spot on the Endangered Species list.
Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly
With an average of 200 adult butterflies, this butterfly has been on the Endangered Species list since August 31, 1984. This butterfly lives strictly in subtropical forests, and can be found between Key Biscayne Park to Upper Matecumbe Key of the Florida Keys.http://www.butterflyrecovery.org/species_profiles/schaus_swallowtail/
Key Deer
The Key Deer is no indigenous to the Keys, but they have become a well-known and popular trademark. It is believed that they migrated down to the Keys during the Wisconsin Glaciation. They are very human friendly, but it is illegal to come into contact with them. The Key Deer can mostly be found on Big Pine Key and No Name Key, al though they have been spotted as far south as Summerland Key. They look just like their cousins, the White Tale deer, except a bit smaller. Many different theories have developed as to why they are so small. A local favorite is because they eat the leaves of the mangroves, their growth has stunted through evolution because of all of the salt on the leaves. Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit
Picture courtesy of the Florida Department of State
The Marsh Rabbit is one of the three Marsh Rabbit species. This rabbit is found anywhere between Big Pine Key and Key West. They are marked with dark brown fur, and a white belly. Commonly, the Marsh Rabbit grows to an average of 350 mm.
http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/images/pdflibrary/lkmr.pdf
http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/images/pdflibrary/lkmr.pdf
Key Largo Woodrat
By its name, you can probably guess where this species resides: Key Largo of the Florida Keys. It feeds mostly on fruit and leaves, and are known for the houses that they build out of sticks. They average about 200mm in length.
Key Largo Cotton Mouse
Photo courtesy of the FWS.gov website
This mouse is the most common animal in south Florida. Now, they can be found in the Northernmost part of Key Largo. With a red coat of fur, they can grow up to almost 200mm.
Green Sea Turtles
There are seven species of sea turtles, and they can be found in all of the world's oceans, except for the Arctic Ocean. The Green Sea Turtle is known specific to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Because of their beautiful shell, they are a prime target to be illegally caught by poachers. The Florida Keys serve as a main feeding and nesting ground.
American Crocodile
Ranging from 150 to 450 pounds, this massive animal can grow anywhere from 7 to 14 feet long. In the lower keys, it is common, sadly, to see an American Crocodile as roadkill. Eventhough they are a harshly protected species in the Florida keys, they are illegally poached for their skin, teeth, and tails. Alligator meat is highly prized.
Main Source:
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/FISH/SouthFlorida/coral/endangeredkeys.html
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