Southwest Florida from A to Z

Ultraviolet rays are one of the greatest hazards a newcomer must confront. Coming from more northerly climates, many fledgling Floridians are surprised when their skin burns to a fiery crisp within minutes even when it appears cloudy. Invest in sunscreen. Use it liberally and often. And get rid of those hip microscopic sunglasses. Get a pair that covers the eyes and the sensitive skin that surrounds them-and make sure they protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

Very rare is the Florida panther, a large tan cat with a whitish belly and a black tip on its tail. Once plentiful in the area, but development and hunting have all but destroyed the species that is Florida's official state animal. Experts estimate fewer than 50 remain. Most are found in unpopulated areas of eastern Lee and Collier counties and are closely monitored by wildlife experts.

Water, of course, is one of Southwest Florida's major attractions. As much of it as there is in which to swim, boat and fish, the kind you drink, bathe in and use on the lawn is in short supply. In the past year, the region has suffered its most severe drought in a century, prompting authorities to adopt strict usage regulations that dictate when to water and levy fines on violators. Consider putting in native plants that require little water and minimizing grassy areas that require loads of watering.

X marks the spot. With all the birds here, you can't rely on a trail of breadcrumbs to lead you home from some new destination. This applies nowhere more than Cape Coral. First-time visitors are advised to take a map and good directions. Some joker decided back in the 1950s to set up a north-south, east-west grid and name paved paths as follows: 15th Street SE, 15th Terrace SE, 15th Way SE, 15th Avenue SE, 15th Lane SE. These, of course, are all near each other. There's a whole other set of 15ths-and 16ths and so on-in the NE, NW and SW sectors. Add in the fact that Cape Coral claims to have as many miles of canals as Venice, Italy (meaning some streets don't go all the way through), and the potential for getting lost multiplies exponentially.

Yikes! That's a typical newcomer's reaction at the first sight of a Florida cockroach. These insufferable creatures more closely resemble small armored tanks than insects. They're huge. Some can fly. Should you see one-and you will, most likely in the middle of the night when you go to the fridge for a drink of water-keep a heavy shoe in one hand for swift dispatch. In the morning, invite the exterminator to stop by.

Zoos might not be as grand in scale as some big cities, but Caribbean Gardens, home of Jungle Larry's Zoological Park, is an animal preserve and botanical garden that harkens back to the days when tourist attractions were simpler and animals were not computer-operated. Take a guided boat tour, watch monkeys living in natural island habitats, enjoy an animal show and savor a walk on Southwest Florida's wild side.