MARINE MAMMALS: Dolphin are seen often jumping playfully or herding a school of fish onto the shallow sand bars. In the winter, when temperatures drop in central to north Florida, manatees migrate south to the Keys in search of warmer waters. Dolphins are one of few mammals who love to play. Jumping thru surf and boat wakes are one of their favorite things to do. Watch this video 

BIRDS: Herons, egrets, cormorants, brown pelicans, ibis, frigate birds, osprey, laughing gulls, royal terns, ruddy turnstones re commonly seen thruout the year. Recently we have seen a reddish egret at the bird rookery and a flock of gannets near the lighthouse

SEA TURTLES: Occasionally seen and a real treat are the sea turtles. Hawksbill, loggerhead, and green turtle are more commly seen than the Kemp's Ridley and leatherback. Snorkelers have been able to observe them for quite awhile by hovering quietly above them

LIZARDS: Iguanas up to 4 feet long have been seen sunning themselves on concrete docks nearby. Three types of anoles can be seen on Indian Key including the green anole which can change from brown to green.