The alligators, birds, deer — and the rare bear and panther — of Highlands Hammock, and how to behave.
Let's talk about who lives here, because Highlands Hammock is first and last a refuge for wild things. The alligators are the ones to respect: they're common in every pond and ditch and canal, and they are wild and genuinely dangerous if people are careless — so keep well back from the water, never let a child or a dog near the edge, and never, ever feed one. Beyond the gators, this is a wonderful place for birds — herons, egrets, ibis, woodpeckers, hawks, and songbirds by the score — and for white-tailed deer, turtles, and turkey.
And on rare, lucky days, this park still belongs to the big, shy creatures that have nearly vanished from Florida — the black bear, and once in a great while, a Florida panther passing through. You almost certainly won't see those, and that's how it should be; just knowing they can still walk these woods tells you how wild this old hammock remains. Drive gently, and let them have their home.
Photo: Zygy · CC0
