During this time of year, when you go to the beach you may see some dead animals wash up on shore. Why is that? This is due to the phenomenon called red tide. Red tide is a type of algal bloom that is free-floating through the water.

Keep an eye out for the invasive Burmese Python as it slowly begins to make its way north. Invasive species are those that are non-native and cause ecological destruction to the ecosystem they are invading.

Florida is home to 27 different native species of frogs. This is due to Florida’s ideal living conditions for amphibians and reptiles.

The species found in our bay are endless, but one unique creature is the Cownose ray. This type of stingray is important to the ecosystem and has an interesting relationship with humans that also inhabit the bay.

The Tampa Bay watershed is home to a wide variety of fish species, many of these being killifish. There are a total of 10 ‘killifish’ species that call Tampa Bay their home.