mardi 12 septembre 2017

Important Places To Visit On A Florida Wildlife Tour

By Maria Schmidt


The US state of Florida is renowned for its large cities and bustling metropolitan life. One other aspect that makes it famous is its abundance of flora and fauna. It has always been a top travel destination for holiday goers from within and abroad. If your Florida wildlife tour is on the cards, there are some spots you cannot afford to leave out.

First off is the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a hotspot for nature lovers. Thanks to its unique and pristine location close to Cape Canaveral, it remains unchanged even in modern times. Its sustained conservation is mainly due to its closeness to the protected Kennedy Space Center. Due to the sensitive nature of operations at the center, the park bordering it also enjoys sustained security.

When on site, you should be able to spot manatees grazing close to the rocket launch pads. Sea turtles also lay their eggs close to the installation. The refuge occupies 220 square miles and also has lots of animal species including alligators, roseate spoonbills and bald eagles. The Florida Scrub Jay is an endangered species also found in the area.

The Everglades National Park has always been synonymous with the state. Easy access to the park can be gained by driving south away from Miami. The swath of land that the park falls under is a staggering 2500 square miles. A significant portion of it is alligator and snake infested swampland. As much as there is to enjoy from viewing, the fact is that it takes mettle to stay within its bounds.

The Anhinga trail can also be found within it. This is a boardwalk that is a mile long and traverses saw grass marsh. You are bound to experience an adrenaline rush as you walk on it and view cormorants, alligators and wading birds close below.

On the East coast is the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. Green and loggerhead turtles use the beaches of the refuge to lay their eggs. May usually marks the start of the nesting season and October the end of it. From the start of the season, the shores host an estimated 18000 turtles. Park authorities usually provide rangers to take visitors through walks on the beach as they explain what nesting entails.

Gatorland should be the highlight of your tour. Here, one gets to see alligators in a controlled setting. Founded in 1939, the theme park welcomes visitors of all ages all year round. The 110 acres that the park sits on hosts hundreds of alligators. Feeding demonstrations are also part of the package for tourists. These take place throughout the day.

For your convenience, it would be best to start planning and saving early. In case you plan to maneuver around in an RV, ensure you carry every item you will require for the duration of the trip. Knee high boots are recommended for traversing marshland.

It is always good to take some time off work to enjoy nature. If your vacation is approaching, purpose to head to Florida. You are certainly bound to acknowledge its beauty.




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