Florida specific Critters and Plants??

[+Qbar]

I'm a cold climate (Yukon Canada) inlander and I'm going to be in Florida in February (Gulf Side mainly.)  What lovely little critters and plants should I be aware of? 

[+hzoi]

If you're lucky, ticks and chiggers should still be dormant in the woods, and sand fleas should be dormant on the beaches.  Maybe the occasional jellyfish washed up.  Most snakes may still be dormant as well.

 

As far as plants, poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac may all be dormant at that time of year, but not necessarily.  So still keep an eye out for leaves of three.

[+Qbar]

Thank-you.  I'll make sure I look at some pics of those plants before I go.  Good to know it's not going to be a big deal in terms of critters.  Normal awareness applies as always.?

[+hzoi]

When you look at poison ivy, keep in mind that even if the leaves aren't out in winter, the oily blister agent is also present in the vine's "hairy" roots.  

[+JL_HSTRE]

Alligators (give them a wide berth and they will nearly always leave you alone) - assume any body of freshwater more than ankle deep may have one

Rattlesnakes

Cottonmoouth Snakes aka Water Moccassins (usually only in swamps)

[+Qbar]

hmm...while I wouldn't mind seeing an alligator, I don't want to get close and personal with one.  Kinda like bears maybe, much more fascinating from inside a vehicle or a house. Maybe I'll make my sister walk ahead of me, she can flush out any snakes. ?Can you tell who is the younger and who is the older sister?