In earlier times, Florida was known to be uninhabitable because of the existence of some swamps all along its canals. It used to be rich in species over its wildlife. But because of some developments created by man, it now belongs to a region with significant level of biodiversity exposed to threat of destruction. Deforestation and other forms of agricultural clearing have brought Florida down to be one of the most degraded areas in the entire US. Due to this degradation of its ecological habitats, it has become a home for critically endangered endemic species in the ocean. Researchers have it that the less rainforest a given region has, the greater proportion of endangered species it hosts.

Here are the most critically endangered species in Florida:

Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) is the most common ocean specie in South Florida. A loggerhead turtle’s top shell, carapace and flippers are mostly ginger in color while its bottom shell is usually yellow. Known to have been extinct, this turtle used to live in tropical regions of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. However, since its natural habitat has started to be industrialized, this specie and all species alike are now endangered to extinction.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) is considered to be one of the largest among all other eight species over warm waters. These turtles were once abundant but because of some human activities like hunting, they have now become lesser in population. Their colorful heart-shaped shells attracted most of the hunters. Likewise, the breeding population of green sea turtles somewhere in Florida has now been identified as at risk.

Florida Manatees (Tricherus Manatus Latirstris) is a non-territorial herbivore that usually feeds and rests from 6-8 hours and 2-12 hours respectively in one day. The rest of the time during the day is mostly used in travelling in order to explore some objects and interact with other similar species. All manatees are mammals, thus, they must go down the ocean surface in order to breathe and survive. But they can actually hold their breath when resting for 20 minutes long. These manatees are also good in the sense of hearing although they don’t have any visible ear lobes.

Yet again, these are just three of the most critically endangered. There are more that are susceptible to extinction too. Still, some remain unnoticed. According to Dr. Norman Meyer of Oxford University, not any single specie disappears all by itself. If ever they come into extinction, all its similar genes also follow. Some species, rare finds and threatened, may cease to exist even without being given a name. Perhaps extinction is natural but if we, humans alike are hastening the process, then probably our race comes with the extinction as well.