Hiking in Myakka River State Park
The Canopy Walk is the most popular trail in the Park. It’s easy to find (on the right side after the bridge when coming from the south entrance). Probably the most memorable part of the walk is the 76-foot observation tower, from which you will have a great panoramic view of the park.
There are actually two trails here, the main canopy walk and the so called “nature trail.” There are signs along the trails and going up the tower to tell you what you are looking at.
Where: Everywhere, particularly on trees Identification: 3-6 inch lizard, wide color range Best Time of Year: Any Fun facts: The exotic brown anole has driven the native green anole higher up in the trees to eat and live. Florida is home to two special lizards, the Green Anole and Brown Anole. Their names refer to […]
“Vultures — gross!” That or something similar is the typical reaction to birds that I have a growing affection for. Once you get beyond their bald heads, vultures are remarkable birds with astonishing abilities and surprising social lives. And one of the great things about being interested in vultures is that — if you live […]
The black racer is one of the more common constrictor snakes in Florida and is identifiable by its white chin. They will eat almost any animal they can overpower, including, rodents, frogs, toads, and lizards, and the racer is more likely to suffocate or crush its victim into the ground rather than coiling around it. They […]
Where: Throughout the park, but less common in dry areas. The Cabbage Palm is extremely salt-tolerant and is often seen growing near both the Atlantic Ocean coast and the Gulf of Mexico coast. Identification: The trunk can vary widely in appearance. Best Time of Year: All Fun facts: The state tree of Florida! Sabal palmetto […]
Where: Open prairies and at water’s edge for drinking. Identification: Typically black (or dark) ranging in size from piglet to boar. Best Time of Year: All Fun facts: As of 2013, the estimated population of six million feral pigs causes billions of dollars in property damage every year in the United States, both in wild […]
Where: Epiphyte that grows on forest trees or rocks (often found on live oaks). Can grow in full sunlight or partial shade. Identification: Fronds 25 cm high by 5 cm wide. Leathery yellow/green leaflet. Appears dead during dry periods. Best Time of Year: All Fun facts: Can withstand periods of drought by curling up and rolling inward (exposes less surface area […]
