Rainy Seasons Hold Hope for Aquatic Species

Lechowicz Devotes 21 Years to SCCF

An early and substantial rainy season that fills up temporary pools of freshwater and dilutes the salinity of inland water bodies could potentially revive freshwater fish, frogs, and freshwater turtles.

“These highly aquatic faunal groups were the hardest hit by the saline conditions created by the saltwater inundation of Hurricane Ian,” said Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz. “All but two of our native frogs have yet to be reported. Brackish water has negative effects on amphibians due to their highly permeable skin.”

Lechowicz suspects some animals that have the ability to do so are still likely hiding underground. “It could take a wet season for us to see what’s still around, and a few wet seasons to see what’s rebounding.”

By the end of May, the southern toad (Anaxyrus terrestris) and the southern leapord frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) which are more terrestrial, were the only frogs sighted. None of the game fish, such as largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) had been documented.

While some degree of change to our wetlands is likely, some elements are in place that support their longer-term persistence. For example, Lechowicz explained how the Sanibel weir system has been essential to past wetland recovery. “These areas used to just dry up to a few muddy spots called ‘alligator holes.’ We’ve made all this habitat for animals that weren’t here or weren’t successful.”

With the help of wildlife sightings reported by the community and ongoing monitoring, nearly all terrestrial species on Sanibel have been accounted for, with some exceptions.

All snakes have been accounted for, except for the Florida brown snake (Storeria victa). Likewise, one species of lizard remains unsighted — the ground skink (Scincella lateralis). The mostly terrestrial turtle species, such as gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and Florida box turtles (Terrapene bauri), were less affected than their more aquatic counterparts.

As far as mammals are concerned, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and ninebanded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) have not been documented yet. Armadillo burrows, like gopher tortoise burrows, provide habitat for other wildlife species. Both species can swim for a short amount of time and can climb, so their apparent absence is puzzling because raccoons (Procyon lotor) are still present.

Chris Lechowicz Wildlife & Habitat Management Director/ Herpetologist

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work for SCCF and with our amazing people each day. I am proud of the knowledge we have attained over the last two decades about insular wildlife populations and the land management activities needed to sustain them. My 21-year tenure reflects a dedication to conserving Sanibel’s natural ecosystems and documenting and dispersing information about the lesser known but equally important wildlife on the island, including lower vertebrate species.”