The maritime hammock provides habitat for many species of animals including tree frogs, squirrels, scrub jays, blue-tailed skinks and both resident and migratory song birds. Plant species include live oak, cabbage palms, wild coffee, coral bean and several species of ferns. This community becomes established on older dunes that are stable enough to support the growth of trees. The maritime hammock community is found just inland from the coastal strand. The coastal strand is now severely fragmented, leading to the loss of several local beach mouse populations. In addition, introduced species (such as house cats) are wiping out beach mice and coastal birds. This dense vegetation is the perfect place for the southeastern beach mouse, gopher tortoise, indigo snake and other rare and endangered species.Ĭoastal strand habitat once formed a continuous band up and down the coast, but it is now vanishing quickly due to coastal development. This community is found only along the east coast of Florida and provides a dense growth of native plants such as palmetto, sand live oak and Spanish palms.

The coastal strand is a thin strip of fragile, woody vegetation that lies between the beach and the maritime hammock. Information About Sea Turtles: Habitats: Beach

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