Our Locals
Our uniquely diverse and stunning natural areas are home to some of the most charismatic wildlife in the world. Here in Martin County, our land and our wildlife are an integral part of our spirit and our community – we invite you to experience, connect with and help protect our wildlife- our locals.
WHAT OUR WILDLIFE WANT YOU TO KNOW
Our local wildlife thanks you for doing the following things to respect and protect them!
Skipping the photo if it means getting to close and keeping your distance. (Pro-tip: If you have binoculars- don’t forget them!)
Keeping your dog on a leash and not letting them run off trails and approach wildlife. (Pro-tip: Make your dog an official BARK Ranger and they can sport a cool new tag and bandana).
Never following or chasing marine mammals from any water craft (kayaks, paddleboards, boats). (Pro-tip: It is against the law and puts them in danger of being struck).
And never feeding any wildlife- they are wild and want to stay that way!
Check out our partners at Leave No Trace with more details on how to respect wildlife
WILDLIFE BUCKETLIST
You can experience wildlife in Martin County in many ways. Whether you are out venturing on your own, taking a guided hike with Explore Natural Martin, participating in an ecotour with a local vendor, or visiting a nature center, there are so many species that you may encounter. Below are some examples of our remarkable species that may be on your wildlife bucket list.
GOPHER TORTOISE
This unique land dwelling and long-lived reptile makes it’s home in forests, pastures and yards in large underground burrows. They forage on low growing plants and are known as keystone species! They are also a state threatened species and moving or handling them can be illegal in Florida.
FUN FACT: Gopher tortoises can live up to 60 years in the wild and up to 90 years in captivity!
WHERE TO SEE A GOPHER TORTOISE : You can learn more about gopher tortoises and see one up close and personal at the Hobe Sound Nature Center. You can often see them in the wild in a variety of County parks and preserves and State Parks, so look out for them either near their burrows or out and about grazing. Click here to learn more about viewing gopher tortoises.
LINK TO BIO HERE
FLORIDA MANATEE
These native marine mammals, know as “sea cows”, grow up to 10-13 ft. long and spend up to eight hours a day grazing on marine and freshwater vegetation. Manatees travel around the states waterways to find food, mates and places to rest and can be found in groups during the winter months in warm water areas. Manatees are a threatened species and are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.
FUN FACT: Manatees can reach speeds up to 15 mph in short bursts!
WHERE TO SEE A MANATEE: Manatees live in the Indian River Lagoon and you can visit any one of our beautiful Martin County parks or preserves along the lagoon to potentially catch a glimpse of one. Some great places to visit along the water are Indian Riverside Park, Twin Rivers Park, Joe’s River Park, Peck Lake Park, and Sandsprit Park. You can read about manatee viewing guidelines here.
LINK TO BIO HERE
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
Seeing a swallow-tailed kite soaring above is unforgettable! This majestic predatory bird has a long forked tail and glides through the air gracefully. They build nests in tall trees such as cypress and pine and are highly social for a raptor nesting in loose colonies and sometimes foraging in small flocks. Click here to learn more about birding in Martin County.
FUN FACT: Swallow- tailed kites swoop over trees grapping insects and small animals such as snakes, anoles and frogs.
WHERE TO SEE A SWALLOW-TAILED KITE : Look to the sky starting in the spring here in Florida. They start arriving in March and stay all summer until they migrate to South America where they spend the fall and winter.
LINK TO BIO HERE
LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE
These amazing creatures come to nest on the beaches of Martin County every summer. Other than time spent nesting, sea turtles will spend their entire lives at sea, often traveling large distances. Loggerheads primary eat jellyfish, crabs and a variety of mollusks and they are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act, the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Rule (Threatened designation), and by the Florida Marine Turtle Protection Act.
FUN FACT: The majority of loggerhead nesting in Florida takes place in five counties on the east coast and Martin County is one of them!
WHERE TO SEE A LOGGERHEAD: You can learn more about loggerheads and have a chance to see a nesting female by signing up for a educational night time nesting walk held by a permitted organization. Such programs are offered by multiple organizations in Martin County such as: Florida Oceanographic Society, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, Ecological Associates, Inc., and Explore Natural Martin (in collaboration with Ecological Associates). These Marine Sea Turtle Permits are managed through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
LINK TO BIO HERE
Looking for an interactive learning experience? Visit any one our our wonderful partners above to learn about our wildlife, meet some ambassadors and have an unforgettable experience.
