Hurricanes are a powerful force of nature, bringing high winds, heavy rainfall, and massive storm surges that can significantly alter the landscape. Our native wildlife has evolved strategies to cope with these extreme weather events, often relying on instinctive survival tactics and adaptations developed over thousands of years. From birds and butterflies to large mammals and marine life, each species responds uniquely to the challenges brought by hurricanes.
Birds, with their extraordinary migratory abilities, often sense hurricanes long before they make landfall. Many bird species will fly away from the storm’s path if they can. Migratory birds might delay their journeys, change course, or use a hurricane’s tailwinds for a boost. In some cases, birds may become trapped in the eye of a strong hurricane. Unable to escape through the intense winds of the eyewall, they can be blown many miles off course, resulting in instances of rare seabirds or Caribbean species being found in unusual locations after the hurricane dissipates. Many birds tend to find low, dense vegetation or hang on to thick branches in heavily forested areas to hunker down and wait out the storm, which provides them with more protection from high winds than open areas.
Some birds may benefit from the disturbance caused by hurricanes. For example, wading birds, such as herons and egrets, may disperse to different wetlands after a hurricane as these environments get reshaped by flooding. Intense storms often stir up or displace fish and small animals, leaving food sources in abundance. However, for birds that eat primarily berries or insects, food can become scarce in the days immediately after a hurricane, as insect populations, berries, and seeds may be temporarily diminished due to wind and rain damage.
Butterflies, insects, and other small creatures are among the most vulnerable to hurricanes due to their lightweight bodies. Some butterfly species, such as the monarch, are migratory and able to avoid storms if they sense shifts in pressure while others are swept away. Insects can be astonishingly resilient though, and, in many cases, repopulate quickly after the storm due to their short lifecycles and high reproduction rates.
Larger mammals, like Florida’s black bears, panthers, deer, and bobcats, seek out higher ground and sturdy shelter, often finding refuge in dense upland forests that provide protection from both wind and rain. Black bears, for instance, may stay in secure dens or find cover in the thickest parts of the forest, while smaller mammals like raccoons, opossums, and rabbits take shelter in tree hollows or burrows.
After the storm, mammals return to altered landscapes and must adapt quickly to the changes. Flooding can push animals to higher ground, increasing competition for resources. Still, Florida’s mammals have shown remarkable resilience in returning to their routines as food and water sources stabilize.
Florida’s reptiles are no strangers to hurricanes and many have instincts that drive them to seek shelter in burrows, beneath logs, or in other protected places. Alligators, turtles, and snakes, for example, may ride out the storm in water or mud. Alligators have been known to dive to the bottom of bodies of water to stay safe from high winds and take shelter near the edges of rivers or lakes. Burrows created by gopher tortoises, which are often located in high elevation areas with well-draining sandy soil, provide refuge not only for the tortoises, but hundreds of other species that seek shelter underground.
Because reptiles are ectothermic (cold-blooded), they are especially sensitive to fluctuations in the environment. Rising floodwaters can displace them, leading to an increase in sightings of alligators or snakes in residential areas after a storm. However, reptiles are also highly adaptive and often thrive in newly created or altered habitats.
Fish and aquatic animals are particularly affected by storm surges and changes in water salinity. Some fish will temporarily seek refuge in deeper waters offshore. Hurricanes also stir up nutrients in the water, and extreme rainfall over land can result in polluted stormwater runoff that intensifies algal blooms such as red tide after the storm, affecting aquatic animal populations.
Saltwater and freshwater ecosystems can mix when heavy rainfall and storm surges alter salinity levels. Freshwater species like largemouth bass may have to move upstream to escape saltier waters, while saltwater species might find their habitats temporarily inhospitable due to freshwater runoff. The reshaped shorelines and new estuaries formed after hurricanes often create new habitats for fish, which can help populations rebound in the long term.
Florida’s marine mammals, such as dolphins and manatees, often survive hurricanes by moving to deeper, more protected waters. Dolphins can sense pressure changes associated with storms and typically head offshore to calmer waters or find refuge in deeper channels. Manatees are particularly vulnerable to storm surges and habitat loss. During hurricanes, manatees can find themselves trapped by sudden shifts in tides or get caught in canals. However, they are strong swimmers and often move to sheltered areas. The seagrass beds they rely on for food can suffer damage from storm surges, reduced water clarity, and algal blooms, though these beds usually regenerate in the following months[CJ1] or years if water quality is returned to a healthy state. However, healthy water quality is not possible without healthy wetlands and uplands to store and filter stormwater before it reaches our coast.
Florida’s plant life also has a remarkable ability to cope with hurricanes. Mangroves, which line much of Florida’s coast, are particularly well-suited to handle storm surges. Their complex root systems help anchor the soil, reducing erosion, and provide shelter for many species of marine and bird life. Mangrove forests also help buffer coastal structures from wave energy and storm surge damage. After hurricanes, mangroves help rebuild coastlines and protect inland areas.
While some trees may fall or lose limbs, Florida’s native tree species often regrow rapidly. Pine trees, for instance, have evolved to withstand high winds due to their flexible trunks. Other plant species, like palmettos, are low to the ground, allowing them to better survive the storm. Many plants benefit from hurricane winds and rain dispersing their seeds over great distances, creating new growth opportunities across freshly disturbed land.
Overall, Florida’s plants and animals exhibit remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of hurricanes. Each storm reshapes the environment, redistributing resources, and altering habitats. Yet, our native wildlife demonstrates a natural capacity to adjust and rebound when they have healthy land and water to do so[CJ2] . These adaptations highlight how interconnected and responsive the natural world is to the powerful force of storms. As hurricanes continue to affect Florida’s landscape, and habitat loss is accelerating across our region, diverse, healthy, and connected natural areas are becoming more critical than ever for wildlife as they respond and adapt in the aftermath of increasingly powerful hurricanes. Big Waters Land Trust is working to protect land and water in southwest Florida, forever, and we need your support! Donate or get involved at bigwaterslandtrust.org
