Place

Dunes Overlook

In the background of the panel is a color photo of the Fort Matanzas National Monument’s darkening dunes landscape at sunset: the sky a dark orange; the land in dark shadows.  At the far left and right sides of the panel, against the darkened background, white text in English and Spanish reads:  Dunes Nightlight. Look for wildlife tracks in the sand. You might see the paw prints of a raccoon, opossum, or even a bobcat. Look carefully for the faint trace of a lizard or a black racer snake. You may see a racerunner lizard itself, but because of daytime heat and the threat of being caught by predators, many wild animals search for food in the dark of the night.  End of Text  In the center of the panel, between the 2 text columns, are 6 rectangular color photos: 3 on top and 3 on the bottom. Below each photo, white text in English and Spanish identifies the nocturnal animals.  On the top row, from left to right: a grey marsh rabbit with black eyes sits in the underbrush, its small ears up. In the text below:  These strong swimmers live only near water. End of Text  Next, a brown raccoon with black fur around its eyes, dips its paws into a pool of water. In the text below:  These masked mammals are most active at night.  To the right, a light tan opossum with a pointed snout, hangs upside down on the side of a tree trunk. In the text below:  North America’s only marsupials eat bugs, mice, and rats.  End of Text  On the bottom row from left to right: a grey and brown gopher tortoise climbs up a dune. In the text below:  Their burrows shelter hundreds of other animal species.  End of Text  To the right, a “Black Racerâ€, snake with a cream-colored belly, slithers over a light brown rock. In the text below:  When resting, these nonvenomous snakes mimic a fallen branch.  End of Text  To the right, a 6-lined brown Racerunner lizard with black and yellow stripes, poses on a brown rock. In the text below:  6 yellow or yellow-green stripes give these lizards their name.  End of Text  Dark green foliage surrounds the panel, overlook deck, and walkway. Below, dunes stretch toward blue water. Beyond, on a corresponding sandy shore, are trees and bushes.    Mounted on the railing adjacent to the panel are 6 touchable bronze models of animal footprints found in this area: marsh rabbit, raccoon opossum, gopher tortoise, black racer, and 6-lined racerunner. Each model is identified in raised English, Spanish, and Braille letters.    [End of message]

Quick Facts

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Tactile Exhibit, Wheelchair Accessible

Look for wildlife tracks in the sand. You might see the paw prints of a raccoon, opossum, or even a bobcat. Look carefully for the faint trace of a lizard or a black racer snake. You may see a racerunner lizard itself, but because of daytime heat and the threat of being caught by predators, many wild animals search for food in the dark of the night.

Fort Matanzas National Monument

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Last updated: July 2, 2021