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Happy National Dog Day to our favorite four-legged field biologist, Cowboy!
This year, Cowboy had a record-breaking season sniffing out mink and spotted skunk scat across Florida. Thanks to his nose, researchers are learning more than ever about these elusive and imperiled species. His work has helped uncover important details about their diet, distribution, and even disease. Including a recent sample that revealed cranial brain worm.
When he’s not in the field, Cowboy is a great ambassador. He helps spark conversations about conservation and never fails to bring smiles to the office.
You can learn more about Cowboy and his work in our video "In the Field with Cowboy the Scat Detection Dog" on YouTube.
RARE Recapture Alert!
On Opening Day of the 2025 Red Snapper season, Captain Brian Lambert of Fishhawk Charters landed a tagged red snapper first released 9 years ago by FWC biologists in the MERR lab, a research collaborative between FWRI and UF.
Photo Credit: Captain Brian Lambert
Manatee Rescue in Reddington Beach
Sea turtle nesting surveyors spotted an adult female manatee stranded on the beach, lethargic and breathing rapidly. Several other manatees were observed in nearby waters. A rescue team from FWC, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office worked together to move her out of the surf and safely load her into a rescue box truck for transport to ZooTampa.
Spot a Rainbow Snake? Let Us Know!
Rainbow snakes are among Florida’s most elusive reptiles. If you find one, it’s the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
These harmless, non-venomous snakes live in freshwater and brackish habitats like streams, lakes, springs, and tidal marshes. They’ve earned the nickname “eel moccasin” because they specialize in eating eels. Rainbow snakes spend most of their time out of sight, hiding in aquatic plants, under tree roots, or among rocks along the shoreline.
Even our expert herpetologists rarely see them in the wild, so if you do, we want to hear about it.
It’s hatching season for American crocodiles in South Florida!
In the spring, female crocodiles lay and bury 20-60 eggs. About 85 days later, hatchlings call their mother from inside the eggs telling the mother crocodile to dig up the nest and help the hatchlings emerge. Hear the call at 00:12 in the video!
American crocodiles are a native, threatened species in Florida. Keep your eyes peeled for Florida’s next generation of crocodiles!
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New on MyFWC.com/Research
We hope you enjoy these articles that have been recently added/updated on our website:
Red Tide Current Status
Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources
2025 Manatee Mortalities
Red Tide Manatee Mortalities
Annual Rescue Summaries [Manatee]
HAB Task Force Meeting Information
American Crocodile
Amphibian & Reptile Publications
Internship Opportunities
New Publications
Our Mission
Through effective research and technical knowledge, we provide
timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage
Florida's fish and wildlife resources.
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