Fort Matanzas National Monument

Nature

Nature and Bird Walks at Fort Matanzas-- will resume in September.

Nature at Fort Matanzas National Monument--
The original national monument site consisted of only the fort on Rattlesnake Island. Through the years, however, the National Park Service has been able to acquire additional land both on Rattlesnake and on Anastasia Island and begin to set aside a slice of an intact barrier island ecosystem. The river and ocean beaches as well as the .6 mile nature trail offer visitors the opportunity to view a variety of plants and wildlife native to this ecosystem.

The distinct habitats located within Fort Matanzas National Monument harbor a number of species, several of which are listed as endangered or threatened. From May to August, the ocean beach is the nesting site for sea turtles, including the threatened loggerhead and the green and leatherback, both of which are endangered. The beach is also home to the ghost crab, the least tern, and the endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse.

The gopher tortoise, a species of special concern in Florida, is found in the scrub habitat along with the endangered eastern indigo snake and five-lined skink. Herons, egrets, and endangered wood storks feed on the mud flats which are also the home of fiddler and hermit crabs. Ospreys, bald eagles, skimmers, pelicans, terns, and gulls can be seen flying over the Matanzas River, and it is not unusual to sight dolphin or even the endangered manatee.

During 1998 and 1999, Dr. F. Wayne King from the University of Florida conducted an extensive survey of the reptiles and amphibians found at Fort Matanzas National Monument. Click HERE for the results of his study complete with information on each species' ecology and habitat and photographs like this one of a corn snake.

Click on the star to read about the Matanzas Critter of the Month! Come back next month and read about another Matanzas Critter!

If you visit Fort Matanzas, you might also want to visit Anastasia State Recreation Area, a state park located 12 miles north. This park is the site of the original coquina stone quarries and also has much of the same natural habitat. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, located five miles to the south of Fort Matanzas, has several nice walking trails and an interesting area on the beach called "The Rocks" where ocean-carved coquina boulders are found.

Select from the buttons above to learn more about the unique habitats and wildlife of the park.