Southwest Florida Wildlife
Cape Coral and Southwest Florida are home to remarkable native species. CCFW works to protect, monitor, and educate the community about these irreplaceable animals.
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
Cape Coral's official city bird. These small ground-dwelling owls nest in burrows, are active during the day, and are a Species of Special Concern in Florida. CCFW monitors thousands of active burrow sites.
Habitat: Open grasslands, vacant lots, golf courses
Gopher Tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
A keystone species whose burrows shelter over 350 other animal species. Their habitat is disappearing rapidly due to development. Florida law protects gopher tortoises and their burrows.
Habitat: Dry upland habitats, scrub, longleaf pine
Florida Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma coerulescens
Florida's only endemic bird species, found nowhere else on Earth. These intelligent, cooperative-breeding birds require open, scrubby habitat that has declined by 90% over the past century.
Habitat: Florida scrub habitat
Florida Manatee
Trichechus manatus latirostris
Gentle marine mammals that frequent Southwest Florida's warm waters. Threats include boat strikes, cold stress, and habitat loss. Cape Coral's canals serve as critical manatee habitat.
Habitat: Coastal waterways, canals, springs
Why It Matters
Southwest Florida's rapid growth has put enormous pressure on wildlife habitat. Cape Coral, despite being one of the most densely populated cities in Florida, still harbors significant populations of protected species — but only because of active conservation efforts.
CCFW's work includes burrow monitoring, community education, habitat restoration, and advocacy to ensure these species have a future in Cape Coral.