Bears Were Seen In Fort Myers And Cape Coral
Seeing wildlife of any kind can happen at any time, but some things you just don’t expect and bears were seen in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
I love seeing all kinds of wildlife. Some animals I prefer to see at a distance rather than up close, but I still think it’s cool that living in Florida, there’s a variety of things we can see on a daily basis. I live on a lake in Fort Myers, so there are always gators out there. It wasn’t too long ago that we got a notice of a bobcat on the property. We have loud limpkins and black snakes, two things I could do without. But there is now another thing we have to keep an eye out for: bears.
I have friends that live in Golden Gate Estates, and to them, seeing bears is a regular thing. And these bears are pretty gutsy it seems. They’ll drive down the road and the bears won’t even move. They wake up to bears going through their trash all the time. Maybe it’s just from being around humans that they get comfortable, or they’re really not out to get us like some may think. However, even if they’re not interested in me, they could be interested in my dog, so I’d rather them stay away.
Bears Were Seen In Fort Myers And Cape Coral
The only place I’ve seen bears out in the wild was over by the airport. But it looks like we’ll have to keep our eyes a little more open for these durpy dudes. According to NBC2, a bear was seen in the Florimond Manor neighborhood on Saturday which is the Metro/Colonial area. Obviously a busy, high-traffic area so that’s a bit of a shock. There was also a bear seen this weekend in Cape Coral near Cornwallis Parkway and going towards the river. Possibly for a snack of some fresh fish? And yet another in the Cape on Vendome Court.
So what do we do? Well, there’s not much we can do. It is wildlife after all. But Cape Coral Police Department does recommend bringing pets in and if you do see a bear, to leave it alone.
Power Ranking The 14 Wild Animals In Florida That Can Kill You
1. The Box Jellyfish
Animals that I can’t see because they’re under the water freak me out more than most. Enter the box jellyfish. Although only a small percentage of stings are fatal, when they are – they kill quickly. Fun fact: each jellyfish carries enough venom to kill 60 humans and the sting is incredibly painful. To alleviate the pain you can pour vinegar on the sting, but don’t pee on it. I have no idea how that myth got started, but peeing on someone who just got stung won’t help. Actually, I’m kind of against peeing on anyone, anytime – but I understand that is a “thing” for some.
Box Jellyfish
2. The Brown Recluse
Brown recluse spider bites are not usually fatal, but these little things rank at number 2 because of the way they attack. Bites happen when the spider gets trapped against the skin. This includes bedsheets or in clothing and shoes. Remember, if you’ve had your shoes off outside, always shake ’em and tap them on the ground to make sure nothing crawled in there.
The venom from the bite causes the skin around the bite to die. It can take months to heal and may scar. Ask Sheila what it’s like to get bit.
A macro shot of a Brown recluse spider
3. The Black Widow
Yes, spiders take the number 2 and number 3 spot. I’ve run across several of these things in Southwest Florida, but have so far stayed on their good side. A black widow bite can produce painful swelling, cramps, muscle spasms, and nausea. The symptoms usually go away after about 12 hours. Unless the bite is on a child or the elderly. It can kill them.
A Black Widow Spider spinning a web in an oak tree.
4. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
This is the largest and most dangerous snake in Florida. Yes, there’s more. If you walk up on one, it will raise up and began to rattle its tail to look larger and more intimidating. That’s your clue to slowly back away. In most instances the snake will avoid confrontation and leave, but if it strikes, well, that’s no fun. If you get bit, get to the hospital for the anti venom. These things can kill you. And they are all over Florida.
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake from Big Cypress National Preserve (adjacent to Everglades National Park), Florida
7. The Southern Copperhead Snake
This snake ranks lower, mainly because it’s not all over Florida. It’s only found in the panhandle section of Florida. Getting bit by the Southern Copperhead is rarely fatal, due to it’s short fangs and low amount of venom. But left untreated, you can die. If you get bit, keep the bite area below your heart and get to the hospital.
Southern Copperhead Snake
8. The Great White Shark
Great White Sharks like to feed on seals or sea lions. So if you’re out there swimming, try not to look like one of those. Although the Great White Shark leads all the others in deadly attacks, this predator is only here for the winter before heading back up north as the waters get warmer. Here’s a helpful tip. If you see a bunch of fish jumping out of the water, that’s probably a sign that a shark is nearby. It’s best not to swim in that area. Even though it’s not coming after you, you can get bit if you’re in the way.
Great White Shark
10. Fire Ants
I have been attacked by fire ants so many times that I don’t even get concerned anymore. But if you get enough, it can cause an allergic reaction that makes you swell up to the point where you can’t breathe. I think the most I’ve had was 20 or so on my ankle and foot. Gotta watch wear you stand.
“Fire Ants” instructions
11. Oooooooh Barracuda
The Barracuda is a scavenger with nasty, sharp teeth made to tear and shred. Be careful when you dive, it can mistake something shiny as a meal.
Happy fisherman holding a giant barracuda
12. The Wild Boar
These things are NOT as playful as the ones you see on Lion King. Generally, they just want to root around destroying your landscaping, but can attack if provoked. And you don’t want to get cut buy one of those tusks. Wild boars are full of diseases. I used to see a lot of these when I lived down Corkscrew Road in Estero.
Wild Boar
13. Florida Panther
Although there have been no reported attacks on humans from Florida Panthers, they do pose another problem. They tend to wander out into traffic. 239 Florida Panthers have died in vehicle strikes in the past 10 years. It’s more of an indirect attack. These big cats are endangered, killing a Florida panther is a third-degree felony.
Walking through palmetto trees in Charlotte County, Florida.
