Florida State Animals and more..

The state animal is the panther. The Panther has been protected from legal hunting in Florida since 1958. The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission is responsible for management and preservation of this endangered State Animal.

April 2 was designated as the Florida state day because Ponce de León first sighted Florida on that date in 1513.

The Florida state marine mammal is the Manatee. However, the manatee is on the endangered species list, chances of its survival depending solely on man's awareness of the sea creature. Of all the known causes of manatee mortality, man is responsible for about half of the deathsmostly dueto the use of boats and barges.

In 1975 Florida adopted the sailfish as its official saltwater fish.

May 20, 1970 Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as the official state gem.

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