What’s going on?

If you’ve ever been to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Alachua County, you may have been lucky enough to see horses, cattle, or bison roaming the savanna. And if you’re unlucky, you may have only seen their droppings.

These large mammals are an interesting ecosystem preservation effort, and each has a unique history in Florida.

The “wild” Florida cracker horses and Florida cracker cattle on Paynes Prairie are the descendants of Spanish breeds brought to Florida by Ponce de Leon in 1521. When Europeans were preparing to return to Spain, horses and livestock didn’t make the cut to return on the ship. After the Spanish left, the breeds ran wild and adapted to become self-sufficient in Florida’s unique climate and environment. Technically, these animals are “feral” rather than “wild,” since they are descendants of a domesticated species.

Recent findings indicate that around five million years ago, six species of horses inhabited Florida, including the direct ancestor of the modern horse, Equus. Still, by the time the Spanish horses arrived, these historic native horses had been extinct for a long time.

In the 19th century, Spanish, Seminoles, and other Floridian cowmen re-domesticated these feral breeds. Florida cracker horses were used to drive the cattle, with their small stature and agile footwork making them great at their job. Over the years, Florida cracker cattle had become tolerant to heat, humidity, insects, and parasites that are typical to Florida, making them an ideal breed for early cowmen to manage for agriculture.

Unlike Paynes Prairie’s horses and cattle, American bison were a native Florida species for thousands of years. In fact, bison once ranged all the way from Alaska to Northern Mexico.

And yes, it’s “bison” not “buffalo.” It is believed that the American bison was misnamed “buffalo” by European visitors who recognized them as an ox-like animal. Many different languages refer to the species in different ways, including Indigenous languages, which often have different names for male and female individuals. ⁠

Eventually, development and expansion of agriculture led all three of these species to the brink of extirpation from Florida. The development of medications and parasite treatments allowed larger European cattle to replace the smaller Florida cracker cattle. Large cattle necessitated larger horses, so the Florida cracker horse was pushed aside for sturdier breeds. As hunting and development on wild Florida lands increased, herds of American bison lost their homes in Florida and were absent for centuries.

In 1975, as part of the Real Florida Initiative to restore Florida’s historic savannas, a herd of Nebraskan bison were introduced to Paynes Prairie. Specialty breeders who kept the lineage of Florida cracker horses and cattle alive donated herds to the Florida Park Service just a few years later, restoring these heritage species to the Prairie and protecting their “wild” populations.

Why it matters.

Paynes Prairie is a time capsule of Florida’s pre-development environment. Although Florida cracker horses and cattle are not native species, their presence in Paynes Prairie as heritage species serves as a living record of Florida history. The American bison is our nation’s official mammal, and the Prairie’s herd restores a small part of its original wild range.

According to park manager Kevin Patton, Paynes Prairie was purchased as Florida’s first state preserve with the goal of preserving a “pristine example of the original Florida” for future generations.

What you can do.

Do not approach megafauna at Paynes Prairie. Even though they are managed by the park, they have been wild for generations and should not be disturbed in their habitats. Visiting Paynes Prairie to view these unique animals from a respectful distance, however, is highly encouraged! Park attendance is a great way to support state preservation efforts.

Friends of Paynes Prairie is an organization that hosts ranger-led hikes and has volunteer opportunities for people who are interested in learning about and supporting the Prairie.