Astronotus ocellatus These fresh water cichlids prefer slow-moving water with sunken branches and logs to hide behind. They’re usually a gray-brown to olive green mottle of colors, with an orange-ringed black ‚eye‘ spot (or two) at the tail to confuse predators. These stocky, oval fish form breed
Danger to Humans The oscar poses no danger to humans.
Raja rhina This angular skate has a very pointed snout and triangle pectorals fins, with lobed pelvic fins alongside a stout tail. It is a dark brown, deal for living on a sandy bottom partially submerged in sand, and there are two small dark eye spots on its fins, each with a light center and li
thorns near its eyes and down along its tail, but it is shy and not considered a danger
Mustelus californicus This small, slender shark has a pointed snout and large oval eyes, and triangular fins with a lobed, asymmetrical caudal (tail) fin. Brownish gray on top and fading to a light underbelly, they usually grow to 46 inches long, but some females have been measured at 64 inches.
Danger to Humans This small shark is considered harmless to humans.
Long before tourists arrived in the Bahamas, ancient visitors took up residence in this archipelago off Florida’s coast and left remains offering stark evidence that the arrival of humans can permanently change – and eliminate – life on what had been isolated islands. The unusual discovery of
Life on Earth Unique dove species is the dodo of the Caribbean and in similar danger
Leucoraja erinacea These little skates have very rounded diamond-shaped pectoral discs that are dark brown or grey with cloudy splotches, and white to grey undersides. They grow to around 20 inches long, and have thorny spines on shoulders, tails, and backs–sometimes more or less thorns dependin
Danger to Humans There is little danger associated with the little skate.
A data citation and tracking tool created by Florida Museum of Natural History researchers has won second place in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility 2019 Ebbe Nielsen Challenge. Hannah Owens, Florida Museum courtesy scientist and former museum postdoctoral researcher, led a collaborati
Life on Earth Unique dove species is the dodo of the Caribbean and in similar danger
Plants flowering at the wrong time of year suggest the approach of a powerful wind. Dolphins inexplicably abandon the harbor. Familiar birds are suddenly nowhere to be seen. Such observations have been recounted by local fisherfolk and Native Americans as signs that a serious storm is on the way. W
Pineland Road and meant that we sprang into action post-storm immediately after the danger
The remnants of an Indian village destroyed by war almost two centuries ago reveal the Seminoles were actually blending into the American melting pot before they were driven to the swamps of South Florida, say Florida Museum of Natural History researchers. In a search for clues to what life w
Warned of the approaching danger by a black ally of the Seminoles, the Indian residents
Pterois volitans This Indo-Pacific reef fish has become an invasive species in the Western Atlantic with few or no predators. This almond-shaped fish is covered in red and white zebra striping, and has long, elaborate fins and venomous spines. They can grow to between 12 and 15 inches long, and p
eradicate the species has been enacted or recommended despite the enormous potential danger
Carcharhinus perezi This sturdy shark is abundant in the Caribbean, and because of its average features, is often confused with other requiem sharks. Usually growing 6.5 to 10 feet long, these are the apex predator of their food web. They have been found ’sleeping‘ in caves and on the ocean floor
Danger to Humans The Caribbean reef shark infrequently attacks humans.
