NatureWalk at Seagrove is a 155-acre community located in Seagrove Beach, Florida. One of the reasons many of our residents built or purchased a home in NatureWalk was the surrounding area full of undisturbed forests and intact sandhill ecosystems. NatureWalk is surrounded by the Point Washington State Forest, a 15,000-acre wildlife preserve. Because of the proximity to the state forest, we have a variety of wild animals that you may see while staying at NatureWalk.

Some helpful resources are below, if in case you see some of our wildlife:

Bears

In NatureWalk make sure you secure your trash cans. Do not leave garbage cans overflowing with garbage – as that attracts bears, raccoons, and other animals. If possible, take your extra garbage the morning before the trash comes to your rental home.

Below are some great guidelines by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission in regards to bears.

Bears are driven by their need to eat and with a sense of smell that can detect odors over a mile away, problems arise when bears gain access to food sources such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, birdseed, or even livestock feed. 

To keep bears away, follow this advice:

– Secure household garbage in a shed, garage, or a wildlife-resistant container (like a bear-resistant container or caddy ).

– Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before.

– Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.

– Protect gardens, beehives, compost, and livestock with electric fencing.

– Encourage your homeowners’ association or local government to institute ordinances on keeping foods that attract wildlife secure.

– Feed pets indoors or bring in dishes after feeding.

– Clean grills and store them in a locked, secure place.

– Remove wildlife feeders or make them bear-resistant 

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/

Snakes

In NatureWalk we have had residents and guests occasionally see snakes around the neighborhood and walking trails. The panhandle of Florida has a rich diversity of snakes and other reptiles which play an interesting and vital role in Florida’s complex ecology. Snakes occupy a valuable place in Florida’s ecosystem.

For example, snakes help reduce rodent populations, which destroy crops and sometimes carry diseases which can infect people. Non-venomous snakes also consume venomous ones, and can help maintain ecosystem balances. Venomous snakes are also beneficial; for example, some rattlesnake species have been reported to consume ticks in their native ranges.

Below are some great guidelines by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission in regards to snakes.

What should you do when you come upon a snake? Just stand back and observe it. Snakes don’t purposefully position themselves to frighten people. They’d much rather avoid encounters and usually will flee.

There is no good reason to kill a snake except in the unlikely situation of a venomous snake posing immediate danger to people or pets. Snakes usually bite people only if they are molested; it’s their only means of self-defense. Even a venomous snake in the woods or crossing the road poses no threat and should be left alone. Also, most larger snakes travel in large areas, so one you see in your yard today may be far away tomorrow.

https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/snakes/

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