A coastal mangrove forest is an important habitat for countless fish and wildlife. Complex root systems stretching high above the water offer marine life food, shelter, breeding grounds, and protection from storms and predators.

These incredible trees are virtually indestructible, surviving scorching heat and water that’s 100 times saltier than what most other plants can handle. Red mangroves are the most common and also safeguard the environment: A single acre traps 1,450 pounds of carbon and prevents erosion.

Mangroves are often found near tropical hardwood hammocks, groups of trees whose leaves touch and form a dense canopy.

Explore The Mangrove Mazes And The Animals That Call Them Home

Discover the beauty of Key West’s coastal wetlands and their amazing wildlife on our Mud Key Mangrove Safari Tour. Relax and leave the world behind as a scenic boat ride through tranquil backcountry brings you to the pristine Mud Key Sanctuary.

The variety of birds, fish, and other wildlife here is truly amazing. Our experienced guides are always happy to answer any questions you might have. You’ll enjoy two whole hours of admiring the area’s beauty, sunbathing or swimming in its calm, crystal clear waters. Embark on an unmatched journey to experience remarkable Key West animals and book your tour today!

Mangrove ecosystems are home to a rich variety of animals that need them for food, shelter, and places to raise their young. Meet the animals that live among their roots:

Sea Turtles – Their Vital Relationship With Mangroves

A mangrove forest is important for sea turtles’ survival. Mangrove ecosystems support hawksbill, leatherback, and green turtles, as well as the protected loggerhead, and help them thrive in several ways:

• Serve As Nurseries – The tangled roots of mangrove lagoons shelter and protect young sea turtles from predators and ocean currents.
• Fresher Water – Mangroves trap sediments and impurities that come from land, providing a clean, natural habitat for turtles.
• Food Source – A mangrove forest provides turtles with a rich variety of foods, including shellfish, mollusks, and small fish. Green sea turtles, an endangered species, graze on seagrass, which makes up a major part of their diet.

Pro Tip: Spot sea turtles early in the morning or late afternoon in calm mangrove waters for the best chance to see these gentle creatures in their natural habitat.

Coral Reefs – Uniting With Mangroves To Make A Better World

Often mistaken for rocks or plants, corals are actually animals because they don’t make their own food. Instead, they use small, tentacle-shaped arms to snatch morsels from the water and eat them.

The Florida Keys boast one of the largest barrier reef systems in the world, stretching 350 miles from Dry Tortugas National Park to the St. Lucie Inlet.

Corals and mangrove systems form an alliance that helps each other by:

• Protecting The Coastline – Coral reefs reduce the force of waves. Then the thick mangrove networks lessen the remaining wave energy, preventing erosion.
• Protecting Habitats – Mangrove roots provide nurseries for young shellfish and fish. When they’re older, they migrate to coral reefs.
• Improving Water Quality – By trapping dirt in their roots, shoreline forests improve water clarity. Clearer water helps corals, whose survival depends upon sunlight.

Pro Tip: Bring snorkel gear to explore the vibrant coral reefs up close—early morning visits offer the clearest water and best chance to spot colorful marine life!

Nurse Sharks – Don’t Let Their Name Fool You

You can find several shark species in Key West waters, including:

• Hammerheads
• Bull sharks
• Lemon sharks
• Tiger sharks

The most abundant Key West shark is the nocturnal nurse shark. Although you may think of a vicious beast like the one in “Jaws” when you hear the word “shark,” this one is very docile. They’re called “benthic,” which is a fancy way of saying they spend most of their time resting on the ocean floor. Nurse sharks can be found in the calm waters of seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove habitats.

Fun Fact: Nurse sharks got their name because they sound like a suckling baby when they eat.

Florida Manatee – 1,200 Pounds Of Cuteness

The Florida manatee, which is actually related to elephants, is a pleasantly plump threatened species that spends its entire life in the water. They rest and raise their young in the calm mangrove waters. Manatees are herbivores, feeding on the ample seagrass and algae found in a mangrove.

They’re nicknamed sea cows because they can graze up to 6 hours a day. Key West has a marine sanctuary called Cow Key Marina where visitors can watch these endearing butterballs in their natural habitat.

Bottlenose Dolphins – Einsteins Of The Ocean

Along with elephants, apes, and humans, bottlenose dolphins are intellectuals of the animal kingdom. Although they may be confused with Mahi-Mahi, a game fish also called a dolphin, bottlenose dolphins are air-breathing, warm-blooded mammals. To talk to each other, bottlenose dolphins use a complex form of communication that sounds like whistles, clicks, and squeaks.

They can even squeak up to 2,000 times per second! The shallow waters of Key West’s mangrove-filled backcountry are ideal feeding and breeding regions for these dolphins and are even nicknamed the Dolphins’ Playground.

Fun Fact: Sharks stay away from dolphins because dolphins use their strong, thick snouts like battering rams if they feel threatened.

Great White Heron – A Great Bird

The great white heron is a large, white shore bird with a distinctive S-shaped neck. While similar to the great egret, it’s actually a different species found mainly in South Florida. Graceful wading birds, these herons use their long bills to skewer large shellfish, frogs, and fish.

The great white heron is a member of Key West wildlife that’s rarely seen outside southern and central Florida. Mangroves are important to these herons because:

• Shallow Water Habitat – Shallow waters around tropical coastal forests provide shelter for nesting.
• Natural Camouflage – Their bright, white plumage is camouflaged by mangrove branches and roots.
• Abundant Food – Mangrove waters are filled with the bird’s favorite foods.

Pro Tip: To spot the elusive great white heron, visit mangrove areas during early morning or late afternoon when they’re most active and feeding in the shallow waters.

Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit – Good Things Come In Small Packages

The nocturnal Lower Keys Marsh Rabbit is an endangered species that only lives in the Lower Florida Keys. Weighing in at only 2 to 3 pounds, this shy animal inhabits areas with dense, protective cover such as mangrove thickets in Big Pine Key.

In these protected areas, the rabbit feeds on grasses, sedges, and herbs. Only 300 of these dainty rabbits remain, although conservation measures are being taken to rebuild their population.

Other Species That Inhabit The Mangroves

Key West mangrove forests are filled with incredible marine life including:

Sea Urchins

Sea urchins are marine invertebrates that are related to sea lilies, sea stars, and sand dollars. Known for their medieval-looking spikes and the pain those can inflict, urchins nestle among mangrove roots. There, they are sheltered from predators and ocean currents and eat their favorite delicacy: algae. The most common Key West sea urchin is the reef urchin, which plays an important role in coral reef health.

Sea Stars

Wondering why they’re called sea stars instead of starfish? That’s because they’re not fish! They’re actually more closely related to sand dollars and sea urchins. The red cushion sea star is abundant in the Florida Keys. It eats clams and mussels by pushing out its stomach and inserting it into the prey’s shell. Mangrove shallows are perfect for these animals, offering food, a nursery for offspring, and protection from predators.

Sea Cucumbers

Contrary to their name, sea cucumbers aren’t vegetables or fruit but are marine animals. The Florida Cucumber lives in the Florida Keys and is 1 of 1,700 cucumber species. These creatures come in a vast variety of sizes, colors, and shapes, including the vegetable they resemble. Nicknamed the vacuum cleaners of the ocean, they keep reefs and mangrove ecosystems healthy by sucking up decaying material.

One of the most unusual animals in Key West, cucumbers do amazing things:

• Cloning themselves by splitting in half
• Liquifying their bodies to push through narrow spaces
• Expelling their internal organs to frighten predators and then grow them back later

Queen Conch

The queen conch is a snail that lives up to its royal name. It is the largest of 6 conch species and has an iconic, dramatically curved shell. Found in shallow mangrove waters, the queen conch is a protected species that mainly eats ocean floor seagrass. It does this by scraping the sandy bottom with a snout-like appendage. The conch also has a large, strong foot that helps it hop or right itself if it gets flipped.

Fun Fact: A queen conch can lay 3 to 4 million eggs a year.

Safe Havens For Animals In The Keys

These sanctuaries protect the precious Florida Keys wildlife:

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Established in 1990, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a preserve that protects all of the Keys’ marine life. One of the largest national wildlife refuges in the United States, the 4,539 nautical-mile sanctuary contains North America’s only coral barrier reef, as well as seagrass beds, shoreline forests, and more than 6,000 ocean dwellers.

In addition to its fish and wildlife, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary attracts many visitors who enjoy scuba diving, boating, swimming, and other water activities.

Key West Wildlife Center

The Key West Wildlife Center is tucked away in Indigenous Park in Key West near Higgs Beach. It’s a sanctuary dedicated to saving and rehabilitating wildlife, mainly birds. Located on 7 acres of beautiful habitat, the center is an emergency rescue that’s open year round.

It treats more than 1,400 birds a year, including pelicans, pigeons, egrets, and roosters. The center also helps various land and marine animals, including tortoises and sea turtles.

Discover The Natural Wonders Of Key West Mangrove Wildlife

When you think of Key West, you may think of bars and parties, but not far from the commotion is an unspoiled utopia called the Mud Keys Sanctuary. We offer the perfect tour where you can experience its otherworldly mangroves and ample Key West wildlife.

You’ll thrill to see plentiful bird species, a vibrant underwater world, and maybe even a playful dolphin or two. When you’re on one of our tours, special things are sure to happen! Book your excursion today and see for yourself!