Alligators, specifically the American alligator, are the animal most people think of when the Myakka River is mentioned. But fish, turtles (primarily the peninsula cooter), river otters and even massive Florida manatees travel the free-flowing Myakka River from Charlotte Harbor up to the Upper Myakka Lake in Myakka River State Park. In fact, the Myakka River is a designated critical habitat for the threatened marine mammal. Paddlers will also see land-dwelling mammals such as bobcats, deer and raccoons.

The Myakka is also a key fishery nursery area with most recreationally and commercially important fish and shellfish species dependent upon the estuarine zone at some point in their life cycle. Bottlenose dolphins also use the lower river.

Wading birds, such as great blue herons, little blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets and tricolored herons, are abundant throughout the year. Lower water levels (typical in the winter to spring months) bring in more birds and crowd favorites, such as prehistoric-looking wood storks and bright pink roseate spoonbills. Numerous species of woodpeckers flit in and out of hammocks, while ospreys, a variety of hawks and American eagles soar above.

Scour the tree lines to spot elusive night herons. “Snowbird” season brings countless additional species of songbirds, as well as showy visitors like American white pelicans, American avocets, black skimmers and swallow-tail kites.

Miri Hardy is the executive director of the Friends of Myakka River