Highlands County Wildlife Guide - Wildlife Field Guide

Ecosystem Overview

The Highlands County ecosystem supports 80 documented wildlife species across 66 taxonomic genera. Located in Highlands County, Florida, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 17 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area, Highlands County hosts 3% more species diversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

vs. Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area

+3% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 80 total documented species.

Ardisia escallonioides

Dogberry

Very Common30 obs.

Ardisia crenata

Hen'S Eyes

Very Common28 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Gator

Very Common25 obs.

Urena lobata

Caesarweed

Very Common25 obs.

Aphelocoma coerulescens

Scrub Jay

Very Common23 obs.

Lygodium microphyllum

Small-Leaf Climbing Fern

Common22 obs.

Telmatoblechnum serrulatum

Common21 obs.

Callicarpa americana

French-Mulberry

Common21 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Brown Anole

Common21 obs.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweet Gum

Common19 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Common17 obs.

Hyla femoralis

Occasional16 obs.

Vitis rotundifolia

Muscadine Grape

Occasional16 obs.

Cnidoscolus stimulosus

Bull-Nettle

Occasional16 obs.

Lyonia fruticosa

Occasional15 obs.

Quercus geminata

Sand Live Oak

Occasional15 obs.

Saururus cernuus

Lizard'S Tail

Occasional15 obs.

Psychotria nervosa

Wild Coffee

Rare15 obs.

Sabal palmetto

Cabbage Palm

Rare14 obs.

Quercus inopina

Sandhill Oak

Rare14 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Species Distribution

Very Common17 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

vs. Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area

+3% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 80 total documented species.

Ardisia escallonioides

Dogberry

Very Common30 obs.

Ardisia crenata

Hen'S Eyes

Very Common28 obs.

Alligator mississippiensis

Gator

Very Common25 obs.

Urena lobata

Caesarweed

Very Common25 obs.

Aphelocoma coerulescens

Scrub Jay

Very Common23 obs.

Lygodium microphyllum

Small-Leaf Climbing Fern

Common22 obs.

Telmatoblechnum serrulatum

Common21 obs.

Callicarpa americana

French-Mulberry

Common21 obs.

Anolis sagrei

Brown Anole

Common21 obs.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweet Gum

Common19 obs.

Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish Moss

Common17 obs.

Hyla femoralis

Occasional16 obs.

Vitis rotundifolia

Muscadine Grape

Occasional16 obs.

Cnidoscolus stimulosus

Bull-Nettle

Occasional16 obs.

Lyonia fruticosa

Occasional15 obs.

Quercus geminata

Sand Live Oak

Occasional15 obs.

Saururus cernuus

Lizard'S Tail

Occasional15 obs.

Psychotria nervosa

Wild Coffee

Rare15 obs.

Sabal palmetto

Cabbage Palm

Rare14 obs.

Quercus inopina

Sandhill Oak

Rare14 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 80 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.