Things to do / Travel Guide
There is an abundance of wildlife in Central Florida, on the land, in the water, and in the sky. The best way to see the great variety of plants and animals in the region is to drive through one of the many state parks, like the ones in Lake Kissimmee and Lake Louisa, near the Orlando area. Better yet, you can check out the region's flora and fauna while on a kayak trip along the region's coastal shorelines, rivers, and bays.
The most prevalent plants in the region are the more than dozen species of palm trees, the most famous of which is the tall royal palm. Other very common plants are saw palmetto, sawgrass, and the mangrove trees, which form dense “forests” in some coastal areas and have a distinct aerial root system.
Birds can be found everywhere in the region, and, for the experienced eye, an optical feast awaits. While the greatest amounts of birds congregate around bodies of water, it is fairly easy to spot a heron or egret almost anywhere. In the parks and reserves you can see many more types of birds, including eagles, ibis, and jays. Also living in the many bodies of freshwater in Central Florida is one of the state's iconic animals, the alligator.
Another iconic animal of the state, the dolphin, can be found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These waters are also home to stingrays, sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, and dozens of species of fish. Another special resident of the Gulf Coast waters of Central Florida is the manatee, a large, gentle sea mammal, also known as a “sea cow.” As the manatee is a popularly-beloved animal, many boat charters sail out to areas where they tend to congregate.
For a detailed list of wildlife viewing locations, check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Nature Spots in Orlando, Tampa, Cape Canaveral and Central Florida
Nature-Wildlife
|
|
|