Your drive down the Overseas Highway can be your own personal Florida Keys Road Trip for Animal Lovers. From endangered Key deer to colorful Key West chickens, here are eight places to delight in the animals and wildlife of the Florida Keys.
Florida Wildlife
Florida Wildlife
Informative articles about Florida wildlife, Florida panther, shorebirds, birds, alligators, fish, redfish, oysters, clams, grouper, snapper, cranes, eagles, vultures.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge: Birds and beauty
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is big, beautiful & full of birds. From majestic bald eagles to friendly scrub jays, it offers awe-inspiring experiences, especially in winter when migratory birds gather here.
Colt Creek State Park: Haven for trail walkers, off-road cyclists and wildlife. Great camping, too!
Colt Creek State Park is a former cattle ranch tucked into a corner of the massive Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve near Lakeland with camping, hiking, fishing, bicycle trails and an equestrian campground.
Good news: Right Whale population grew a little. You might spot one on North Florida coast
GOOD NEWS for a change: Scientists recently announced the population of whales has had a slight uptick. Endangered right whales are viewed close to shore in North Florida every winter.
Where to see Manatees in Florida: 18 spots to visit
With Florida’s first chill, the manatees are returning to springs and rivers. Here are a few locations where you have a good chance of admiring these charming creatures — and even kayaking with them.
A Thanksgiving story: Florida has its own wild turkey subspecies
Florida is home to its own unique turkey subspecies — found nowhere else in the world.
Dora Canal: It’s short but so sweet, so paddle slowly
The Dora Canal could be the prettiest one mile you’ll paddle in Florida. The waterway connects Lake Dora and Lake Eustis in Tavares, just west of Mount Dora.
Orlando Wetlands: Perfect stop for wildlife lovers
Orlando Wetlands Park is a must-stop for birders and wildlife fans. It’s home to over 100 roseate spoonbills, 1,700 alligators and 200 species of bird. A 5,000 square foot visitor just opened with exhibits and live animals on display. The park is only 20 minutes off I-95.
49 Florida endangered species — some I bet you don’t know
Here are Florida’s endangered species. There are 49; how many do you know? Did you know there are several conservation success stories among Florida’s favorite animals?
Where to see Key deer
With their big eyes and tiny size, this endangered species is easy to love. Visitors to the Keys often want to know where to see Key deer. Best place to start is a free nature center in Big Pine Key in the Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge.