Animals in Florida

Tucked away near Gainesville, Lubee Bat Conservancy invites visitors to discover the surprising personalities of giant fruit bats while learning how protecting these misunderstood animals helps preserve forests around the world.

The grave of the first dolphin to play Flipper is located at the Dolphin Research Center.

A striking lighthouse with views of the Gulf of Mexico and of a military air show.

A pristine beach on the Gulf of Mexico with deep ties to Pensacola’s Black community.

Interact with jury-selected works of art at this Gulf Coast underwater museum.

Florida’s largest fish hatchery features aquariums, fishing ponds, and local taxidermy.

Measuring approximately 200 feet long, Swampy is the world's largest alligator-shaped building.

These constructed wetlands naturally filter millions of gallons of treated wastewater every day.

View rare birds and interact with lemurs at this nonprofit run entirely by volunteers.

This small island was the first National Wildlife Refuge ever created in the United States.

A memorial to the United States's first wildlife refuge warden.

The sign that drew attention to a young boy's cucumber stand is now the name of his fruit superstore.

Get up close with some alligators at this roadside farm attraction.

Grab a slice of pizza next to the remains of the "human monkey" who ran for mayor.

The giant squid's 27-foot-long corpse lies preserved within a Sarasota aquarium.

It turns out that a hurricane-prone beach is probably not the best place to house wild animals.