Florida’s wild side isn’t limited to parks and preserves—it can show up right in your backyard. With so many protected species roaming the state, it’s not unusual to find unexpected visitors among your garden beds. And when they do appear, the law says: let them be.
State and federal rules make it illegal to disturb or relocate these animals, even if they’ve settled near your favorite plants. I once found a gopher tortoise digging beside my rosebushes and had to adjust my plans to accommodate him. Turns out, sharing space is part of living here.
Learning to coexist with Florida’s native wildlife helps protect fragile ecosystems—and keeps you on the right side of the law. Sometimes, the best gardening move is simply to step back and let nature do its thing.
1. Gopher Tortoise
Protected under state law since 1988, these gentle burrowers create homes that benefit over 350 other species in Florida’s ecosystem.
When one appears in your garden, remember that moving it even a short distance is illegal without proper permits.
If you discover a burrow, maintain a buffer zone of undisturbed vegetation at least 25 feet around the entrance and continue enjoying your garden while respecting this ancient species.
2. American Alligator
Once endangered and now recovered, these reptiles remain protected under Florida law despite their increasing numbers.
Smaller alligators occasionally wander into residential areas, especially during drought conditions when seeking new water sources.
Never attempt removal yourself—it’s not only illegal but dangerous. Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline if one appears in your yard.
3. Burrowing Owl
Standing just 9 inches tall, these ground-dwelling birds of prey create their homes in open, grassy areas throughout Florida.
Their burrows are protected year-round, even when not actively occupied.
Many Florida homeowners discover these charismatic birds have taken up residence in their lawns, at which point the law requires you to become their landlord rather than their eviction officer.
4. Florida Scrub-Jay
Found nowhere else on Earth except peninsular Florida, these bright blue birds face critical habitat loss and enjoy full federal protection.
Unlike typical jays, they’re remarkably friendly and may approach humans in areas where they’ve established territories.
Legal protection extends to their habitat—if scrub-jays nest in your property’s oak scrub areas, trimming or removing these plants requires special permission.
5. Eastern Indigo Snake
As Florida’s longest native snake, reaching up to 8 feet, these glossy blue-black reptiles help control rodent and venomous snake populations.
Federally protected since 1978, encountering one in your garden is increasingly rare and considered a sign of a healthy ecosystem.
Gardeners lucky enough to spot these non-aggressive snakes should simply appreciate them from a distance—removing or harming them carries severe penalties.
6. Key Deer
Standing just 30 inches tall, these miniature deer are found exclusively in the Florida Keys and remain one of America’s most endangered mammals.
Homeowners with properties in their limited range must accommodate these diminutive browsers even when they nibble on landscape plants.
Fencing must be deer-friendly, allowing movement between properties, and feeding these protected animals is strictly prohibited despite their appealing nature.
7. Manatee
For Floridians with waterfront properties, these gentle marine mammals might visit your dock or seawall areas during warmer months.
Protected under multiple federal and state laws, disturbing or harassing manatees carries significant penalties.
Waterfront gardeners should avoid planting non-native species that could spread into waterways and should never use fertilizers near shorelines where runoff could affect manatee feeding areas.
8. Wood Stork
Recognized by their bald, scaly heads and massive bills, these threatened wading birds might visit your yard’s water features during Florida’s dry season.
Their feeding and nesting areas receive federal protection, making it illegal to disturb them even temporarily.
Homeowners with ponds or water gardens should view these prehistoric-looking visitors as welcome guests—their presence indicates a healthy aquatic ecosystem worth preserving.
9. Florida Panther
Extremely rare and critically endangered, encountering these elusive cats is unlikely but possible for properties bordering wilderness areas in South Florida.
As Florida’s state animal, panthers receive the highest level of protection under endangered species laws.
Rural homeowners who spot one should consider it an extraordinary privilege—document the sighting for wildlife authorities but never approach or attempt to interact with these powerful predators.
10. Roseate Spoonbill
With their striking pink plumage and spatula-shaped bills, these wading birds create a tropical splash of color in Florida’s wetland areas.
Legally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, they occasionally visit residential areas with water features.
Maintaining chemical-free water gardens and avoiding pesticides creates safe feeding zones for these spectacular birds that were once hunted nearly to extinction for their feathers.
11. Gopher Frog
Often overlooked by homeowners, these stocky amphibians spend most of their lives underground in gopher tortoise burrows throughout Florida.
State-listed as a Species of Special Concern, they emerge mainly during heavy rains to breed in seasonal ponds.
Gardeners who discover these frogs should maintain natural depressions that collect rainwater on their property, as these temporary pools provide essential breeding habitat for these declining amphibians.
12. Osprey
Masters of the Florida sky, these fish-eating raptors often build massive stick nests on tall structures, including residential properties with suitable platforms.
Protected under federal law, active nests cannot be removed without special permits, even when inconveniently located.
Many coastal Florida homeowners have learned to coexist with these seasonal residents by installing dedicated nesting platforms away from high-traffic areas of their property.
13. Sea Turtles
For beachfront property owners, sea turtle nesting season brings special responsibilities under both state and federal protection laws.
Females come ashore at night between May and October, digging nests in sandy areas that might include landscaped beachfront gardens.
Homeowners must eliminate artificial lighting visible from the beach, avoid beach furniture or obstacles, and never disturb marked nests or hatchlings making their way to the ocean.
14. Sandhill Crane
Standing nearly four feet tall, these elegant gray birds with crimson foreheads frequently visit Florida yards and gardens in search of insects and seeds.
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, harassing or removing these birds is strictly prohibited, even when they become regular visitors.
Many Florida gardeners consider them welcome pest controllers and enjoy watching their elaborate courtship dances performed right on suburban lawns during breeding season.
15. Sherman’s Fox Squirrel
Much larger than common gray squirrels, these distinctive mammals with their fox-like tails and variable coloration are protected throughout Florida.
Often found in properties with mature pine trees, particularly in Central and North Florida, these squirrels require large territories to survive.
Homeowners lucky enough to host these declining mammals should preserve large pine trees and natural understory vegetation—removing them or their nests without proper authorization violates state wildlife regulations.