NPS
An endangered Hawksbill sea turtle finds refuge in a reef.
The following animals are listed as threatened or endangered under the Federal and/or State classification system. Therefore any take, harvest, harassment, harm, or any other interference with these species is strictly prohibited. If you are lucky enough to observe any of these animals during your visit to Biscayne National Park, cherish the sighting but please do not interfere with the animal’s natural behavior and activities. Park managers document sightings of threatened and endangered species in the park, and visitors are encouraged to report their sightings (click here to report your sighting). Please provide as much information as possible (such as the date, specific location, and number and size(s), of observed plants, as well as your level of certainty of species identification). Photographs documenting your observation are strongly encouraged, particularly with very rare species.
This list includes animal species that are likely to be observed in Biscayne National Park. For a complete list of federally listed threatened and endangered species, please click here. For a complete list of state listed threatened and endangered animals species, please click here. To learn about threatened and endangered plants in Biscayne National Park, please click here.
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Occurrence in Biscayne National Park
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Federal Classification Listing
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State Classification Listing
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MARINE INVERTEBRATES
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Pillar coral
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Rare
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-
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Endangered
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Elkhorn coral
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Common
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Threatened
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-
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Staghorn coral
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Common
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Threatened
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-
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TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES
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Florida tree snail
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Occasional
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-
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Special Concern
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Miami blue butterfly
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Rare
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Candidate
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Endangered
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Schaus swallowtail butterfly
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Rare
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Endangered
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Endangered
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FISH
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Smalltooth sawfish
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Rare
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Endangered
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-
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REPTILES
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American alligator
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Uncommon
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Similarity of appearance
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Special Concern
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American crocodile
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Occasional
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Threatened
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Endangered
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Eastern indigo snake
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Rare
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Threatened
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Endangered
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Sea Turtle- green
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Common
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Sea Turtle- hawksbill
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Common
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Sea Turtle- Kemp’s ridley
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Rare
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Sea Turtle- leatherback
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Rare
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Sea Turtle- loggerhead
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Common
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Threatened
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Threatened
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BIRDS
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Brown Pelican
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Common
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Delisted- recovery
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Special Concern
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Least tern
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Common
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-
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Threatened
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Little blue heron
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Common
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-
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Special Concern
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Osprey
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Common
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Special Concern
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Special Concern
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Piping plover
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Uncommon
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Threatened
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Threatened
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Reddish egret
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Occasional
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Special Concern
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Special Concern
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Roseate spoonbill
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Uncommon
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-
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Special Concern
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Snowy egret
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Common
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-
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Special Concern
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Southeastern American kestrel
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Uncommon
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Special Concern
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Threatened
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Tricolored heron
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Common
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-
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Special Concern
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White ibis
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Common
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-
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Special Concern
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White-crowned pigeon
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Common
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Special Concern
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Threatened
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Wood stork
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Occasional
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Endangered
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Endangered
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MARINE MAMMALS
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Fin (finback) whale
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Rare, if at all
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Florida manatee
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Common
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Humpback whale
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Rare, if at all
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Endangered
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Endangered
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North Atlantic right whale
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Rare, if at all
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Sei whale
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Rare, if at all
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Sperm whale
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Rare, if at all
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Endangered
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Endangered
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TERRESTRIAL MAMMALS
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Key Largo woodrat
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Historical, not known to occur presently
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Key Largo cotton mouse
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Historical, not known to occur presently
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Endangered
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Endangered
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Additionally, the following animal species which occur in Biscayne National Park are protected from harvest by state, federal, or international regulations. These species are not classified as threatened or endangered, but the special protection measures ensure the long term survival and sustainability of these species.
· All stony corals
· Fire corals
· Sea fans
· Queen conch
· Bahama starfish
· Longspine sea urchin (Diadema)
· Nassau grouper
· Goliath grouper
· Manta ray
· Spotted eagle ray
· Spearfish- Longbill, Mediterranean, and Roundscale
· Sturgeon
· Sharks - many species are protected. Visit www.myfwc.com for a complete list.
· All marine mammals
· All ornamental tropical fish, plants & invertebrates (regulation applies to Biscayne National Park)
· Sponges (regulation applies to Biscayne National Park)
· Lobsters (within the Biscayne Bay Lobster Sanctuary- click here for more details)
