Apalachicola Reserve, Florida

Fauna (Animal Life)

The Apalachicola River drainage basin has the highest diversity of reptiles and amphibians in the United States and Canada. The reserve lands are home to more than 40 species of amphibians and 80 species of reptiles. Among these many species are the southern dusky salamander, the gopher frog, Barbour's map turtle (which is endemic to the Apalachicola River), Atlantic loggerhead turtle, Apalachicola kingsnake and eastern indigo snake.

Mammals are also abundant within the reserve. More than 50 species are found within the Apalachicola basin. Opossum, bats, shrews, mice, moles, voles, rabbits and other small mammals are plentiful in the reserve. Other mammals sighted include foxes, weasels, black bears, mink, bobcats, coyotes, deer, feral pigs, bottlenose dolphin and the West Indian manatee.

The reserve and surrounding drainage basin are among the most important bird habitats in the Southeastern United States. Lying on the fringe of the Mississippi flyway, the reserve receives large numbers of birds from both the Midwest and the Atlantic Seaboard during migratory periods. The species list currently totals more than 300.

Over 180 species of fish have been documented from the river and bay system. There are eight anadromous species, four endemic species and seven introduced species included within this list. Fish found within the reserve include the Gulf of Mexico sturgeon, American eel, striped bass, bluestripe shiner and shoal bass. Common estuarine and marine species that are of local importance commercially include striped mullet, speckled trout, menhaden, red drum, flounders and sharks.

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