Florida’s Incredible Biodiversity
In Florida’s Incredible Biodiversity, Florida’s unique geography and climate make it one of the United States’ most biodiverse places to visit. This video is excerpted from BBC's Natural World Florida: America's Animal Paradise, a series displaying Florida’s diverse wildlife and its resilience against increasing environmental threats.
Lesson Express
Q: Florida’s nickname is the “Sunshine State.” Is this a good choice for a nickname? Why or why not?
A: Student answers will vary. Florida gets plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, but it also gets lots of rain, especially during the humid summer months.
Q: Name some of the plants and animals that come to mind when you think of Florida.
A: Student answers may vary. Common animals that may come to mind are alligators, flamingos, and manatees. Some common plants are mangroves and palm trees.
Q: Explain how Florida’s geography contributes to its biodiversity.
A: Florida is the United States’ most southeastern state. It is so far south that it's almost in the tropics. It is the only U.S. state affected by both tropical and subtropical climates. There are drier climates in the northern part of the state, where the longleaf pines thrive. The subtropical waters near the Keys are an ideal habitat for coral reefs.
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In Florida Manatees in Warm Springs, meet the manatees that are traveling to the warm spring waters in Florida. Unfortunately, these warm waters are popular with humans too, resulting in loss of wilderness and unintentional harm to the manatees. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In Mullets in the Millions, learn how mullets head for the northern Atlantic coast in the millions to spawn. Although they are hunted by tarpon, pelicans, and black-tipped sharks, the mullets outnumber them by 10,000 to one. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In How Dolphins in Florida Bay Hunt Together, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes bottlenose dolphins’ incredible way of hunting fish in Florida Bay! One dolphin takes charge, stirring up the seafloor to trap fish in a swirling circle. The fish panic and leap out of the water — straight into the mouths of the dolphins! This behavior is passed down through generations, showing how dolphins teach each other to survive in a unique environment. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
In Meet the Blacktip Shark, naturalist Steve Backshall and Dr. Stephen Kajiura fly over water off the coast of Florida. They see the largest blacktip shark shoal in the world. This video is excerpted from BBC's Deadly 60, an award-winning nature and adventure show for kids in which narrator Steve Backshall has one mission: to travel the globe in search of 60 of the world's deadliest animals.
In Florida Manatees in Warm Springs, meet the manatees that are traveling to the warm spring waters in Florida. Unfortunately, these warm waters are popular with humans too, resulting in loss of wilderness and unintentional harm to the manatees. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In Mullets in the Millions, learn how mullets head for the northern Atlantic coast in the millions to spawn. Although they are hunted by tarpon, pelicans, and black-tipped sharks, the mullets outnumber them by 10,000 to one. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In How Dolphins in Florida Bay Hunt Together, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes bottlenose dolphins’ incredible way of hunting fish in Florida Bay! One dolphin takes charge, stirring up the seafloor to trap fish in a swirling circle. The fish panic and leap out of the water — straight into the mouths of the dolphins! This behavior is passed down through generations, showing how dolphins teach each other to survive in a unique environment. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
In Meet the Blacktip Shark, naturalist Steve Backshall and Dr. Stephen Kajiura fly over water off the coast of Florida. They see the largest blacktip shark shoal in the world. This video is excerpted from BBC's Deadly 60, an award-winning nature and adventure show for kids in which narrator Steve Backshall has one mission: to travel the globe in search of 60 of the world's deadliest animals.