Lake Wales

Ecosystem Overview

The Lake Wales ecosystem supports 31 documented wildlife species across 29 taxonomic genera. Located in Polk County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 7 frequently observed species and 6 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Polk County nearby has 69% more documented species, Lake Wales offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #2 for species diversity among 18 Polk County County natural areas, placing it in the 89th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 18 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 18 locations

89th percentile for diversity

vs. Polk County

-69% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 31 total documented species.

Ammodramus savannarum

Grasshopper sparrow

Very Common25 obs.

Pantherophis guttatus

Red Cornsnake

Very Common2 obs.

Hemidactylus mabouia

Tropical house gecko

Very Common2 obs.

Pomacea maculata

Giant applesnail

Very Common2 obs.

Anadenobolus monilicornis

Very Common1 obs.

Spharagemon cristatum

Ridgeback Sand Grasshopper

Common1 obs.

Eacles imperialis

Imperial Moth

Common1 obs.

Hemiargus ceraunus

Ceraunus Blue

Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus quercicus

Oak Toad

Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus terrestris

southern toad

Common1 obs.

Eleutherodactylus planirostris

Greenhouse Frog

Common1 obs.

Scaphiopus holbrookii

Eastern Spadefoot

Occasional1 obs.

Sylvilagus palustris

marsh rabbit

Occasional1 obs.

Apalone ferox

Florida Softshell Turtle

Occasional1 obs.

Pseudemys nelsoni

Florida red-bellied turtle

Occasional1 obs.

Scincella lateralis

Little Brown Skink

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida asiatica

White-winged Dove

Rare1 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Rare1 obs.

Chordeiles minor

common nighthawk

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Lake Wales. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+35%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Polk County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-69% vs. current

Winter Haven

Importance: 0.40

13 species

+138% vs. current

Bartow

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+288% vs. current

Lake Ariana

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+48% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+107% vs. current

Lake Pierce

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+138% vs. current

Lake Mirror

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+288% vs. current

Lake Hollingsworth

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+343% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Polk County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+35%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Polk County County, Florida

Nearby Natural Areas

Polk County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-69% vs. current

Winter Haven

Importance: 0.40

13 species

+138% vs. current

Bartow

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+288% vs. current

Lake Ariana

Importance: 0.35

21 species

+48% vs. current

Middle Lake

Importance: 0.35

15 species

+107% vs. current

Lake Pierce

Importance: 0.35

13 species

+138% vs. current

Lake Mirror

Importance: 0.35

8 species

+288% vs. current

Lake Hollingsworth

Importance: 0.35

7 species

+343% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 18 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common7 species

Common9 species

Occasional9 species

Rare6 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#2 of 18 locations

89th percentile for diversity

vs. Polk County

-69% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 31 total documented species.

Ammodramus savannarum

Grasshopper sparrow

Very Common25 obs.

Pantherophis guttatus

Red Cornsnake

Very Common2 obs.

Hemidactylus mabouia

Tropical house gecko

Very Common2 obs.

Pomacea maculata

Giant applesnail

Very Common2 obs.

Anadenobolus monilicornis

Very Common1 obs.

Spharagemon cristatum

Ridgeback Sand Grasshopper

Common1 obs.

Eacles imperialis

Imperial Moth

Common1 obs.

Hemiargus ceraunus

Ceraunus Blue

Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus quercicus

Oak Toad

Common1 obs.

Anaxyrus terrestris

southern toad

Common1 obs.

Eleutherodactylus planirostris

Greenhouse Frog

Common1 obs.

Scaphiopus holbrookii

Eastern Spadefoot

Occasional1 obs.

Sylvilagus palustris

marsh rabbit

Occasional1 obs.

Apalone ferox

Florida Softshell Turtle

Occasional1 obs.

Pseudemys nelsoni

Florida red-bellied turtle

Occasional1 obs.

Scincella lateralis

Little Brown Skink

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Occasional1 obs.

Zenaida asiatica

White-winged Dove

Rare1 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

collared dove, eurasian collared dove

Rare1 obs.

Chordeiles minor

common nighthawk

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 31 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.