Outdoors / Wildlife
Start with distance, the animal, the place, and whether an official needs to be involved.
The right move depends on what you saw, where you saw it, whether people are feeding or crowding it, and which FWC or local source applies.
Start here
Distance
Most Florida wildlife trouble starts when people get too close, feed an animal, crowd a nest, touch something, or treat a wild animal like it is stuck in a yard by accident.
FWC living with wildlifeFeeding
Food changes animal behavior. It can make a calm animal bold, pull it toward roads or people, and create a problem for the next person who comes along.
FWC feeding wildlifeSpecies
A swimming manatee, nesting shorebird, gopher tortoise burrow, bear near trash, or alligator near people points to a different official page.
FWC incident reportingPlace
A state park, national park, beach town, refuge, WMA, marina, neighborhood, and campground can add rules or closures on top of the statewide basics.
NPS in FloridaAlligators
Keep people and pets back from freshwater edges, never feed an alligator, and use FWC's reporting path if a safety issue needs attention.
Manatees
Give manatees room in the water, follow speed and protection zones, and use viewing guidance before you paddle, swim, or idle nearby.
Bears and trash
Secure trash, pet food, coolers, grills, and anything that smells like dinner. A bear that finds easy food may come back.
Nests and burrows
Sea turtle nests, shorebird nesting areas, and gopher tortoise burrows need space. Watch signs, lights, pets, chairs, and paths.
Small checks
Injured or orphaned wildlife is not a do-it-yourself project. Check FWC guidance before you pick up, move, feed, or try to keep an animal.
Beach lights, pets, fireworks, chairs, holes, and crowds can matter during nesting season. The local beach or park sign may be the most specific source.
Nonnative animals and pets released outdoors are their own problem. Do not assume a loose animal belongs in the nearest canal or woods.
If an animal, sign, or official source changes the plan, let it. A different route, launch, beach spot, or photo distance is still a good day outside.
FAQ
Back up, do not feed, do not touch, do not crowd, and check the FWC or local source that matches the animal and place.
Use the official reporting path for safety issues, injured or orphaned animals, harassment, illegal feeding, stranded animals, or protected wildlife concerns. FWC's Wildlife Alert hotline is 888-404-3922, and a nuisance alligator can be reported to the SNAP line at 866-392-4286.
No. Each species can have different distance, feeding, lighting, nesting, protection, reporting, and viewing guidance. Use the source for the exact animal.
Do not assume that moving it is allowed or smart. Check FWC or the appropriate local guidance first, especially if the animal is protected, injured, nesting, or dangerous.
The official signpost
Florida Porch gives the short version, then points back to FWC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or the local manager that controls the current answer.
Last reviewed: July 5, 2026
Use this carefully: Wildlife details can change by animal, place, distance, feeding, injury, nesting, lighting, local sign, and safety issue. Confirm the exact FWC, federal, park, beach, refuge, marina, or local source before you feed, touch, move, report, or get closer to wildlife.
Keep going
Page feedback
Send a quick note if a Florida source, county office, local detail, or link needs a closer look.
Page feedback
The page you are on will be included automatically.
