Viewing Park Wildlife

 

Padre Island is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life ranging from marine life in the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre, to more common grassland creatures. While viewing wildlife can be a highlight of any park visit, it is important to remember that animals in the park are wild. Precautions must be taken to keep not only you safe, but also the wildlife.

 

Viewing Safely

When viewing wildlife, remember that your safety is your responsibility.

• Keep a safe distance. Deer may appear tame and may approach vehicles, but they are wild animals and can be unpredictable and dangerous.

• Store your food and stash your trash. Feeding wildlife is prohibited. Feeding wildlife can make the animal sick or cause them to seek handouts from humans in dangerous areas like roads or parking lots. Animals used to human contact lose their fear of humans and may become aggressive. Wildlife may also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

• Do not disturb. Feeding, touching, and harassing wildlife is strictly prohibited. Pets must always be kept on-leash, fecal matter picked up, and vaccinations up to date when visiting the park. Do not use bird calls or wildlife calls and attractants. If you find a sick or injured animal, leave it where it is and alert a park ranger.

• Keep your eyes on the road. Wildlife may be present on park roads at any time of day or night. Obey posted speed limits and watch for wildlife as they cross the road. Every year, wildlife such as deer, birds, and turtles are killed on park roadways due to vehicle collisions.

• Obey beach driving speed limits. Watch for nesting sea turtles and shorebirds that may be crossing the beach.

 

A crowd gathers to watch a sea turtle hatchling release.

NPS Photo

Where to See Wildlife in the Park

Gulf of Mexico Beaches

The park protects 66 miles of sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, that providing habitat for a variety of terrestrial and marine animals. Overhead, brown pelicans fly in formation and dive for fish in the gulf. Along the beaches, ghost crabs and jellyfish are a regular sight, while deer and coyotes can be spotted peering over the dunes.

In the late spring and summer months, sea turtles will make their way out of the gulf waters and onto the beach to nest. The park hosts several public sea turtle hatchling releases each year to provide an opportunity to watch the new sea turtle hatchlings make their way back to the gulf.

A walk down Malaquite Beach provides easy access to wildlife viewing along the gulf. However, for those with proper preparation, a drive down island along South Beach will allow for a more remote experience in the park where wildlife is unhindered by the presence of people.

 

Small mammals often take shelter in the tall grass of the island's grasslands.

NPS Photo/ Sue Wolfe

Grasslands

Many species can be viewed in the grasslands as you drive through the park or hike along a trail. Larger mammals include white-tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, and ground squirrels. Smaller mammals, such as bats, mice, and kangaroo rats, also abound. Many reptiles and amphibians find protection in the park, too, such as toads, red-eared sliders and western diamondback rattlesnakes. Birds such as mourning doves, sandhill cranes, crested caracaras, hawks, grackles, and warblers may be seen or heard along hiking trails and roadways.

The Grasslands Nature Trail provides a short walk through the grasslands along a paved trail with opportunities to see many daytime wildlife species.

Across from the Bird Island Basin turn-off, a small pullout provides access via dirt trail to Novillo Line Camp, a historic cattle ranching camp. The short walk to the camp will provide viewing opportunities for deer and many species of birds.

 

Each year, white pelicans gather on the Laguna Madre.

NPS Photo/ Naaman Horn

Laguna Madre

The unique tidal mud flats along the shores of the Laguna Madre teem with life as many species of wading birds enjoy the shallow water for foraging. Redhead ducks and white pelicans find winter refuge on the waters of the Laguna Madre.

The Bird Island Basin Day-use Area provides easy access to view wildlife along the Laguna Madre. This area is a favorite spot for birdwatchers.