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If you want to experience the cool blue water and get a quick snap of wildlife, Floridan springs are your best bet. You can take a dip in the blue waters while playing with the playful manatees, watch the alligators from the viewpoint and get some pictures of the beautiful birds that come there.

But for all this to happen, you have to pick a time when these wildlife creatures gather in the spring. The Florida springs are a natural habitat for various wildlife animals and marine creatures. Thus, the animals may migrate to someplace else when the conditions in the springs become unfavorable and come back once they think the conditions are apt for them.

While it might be hard to see all the wildlife creatures that habit the place in one, you can pick up certain months wherein most animals would be present at the place at one time.

Here is a list of some of the most commonly found creatures in Floridan Springs and the best times to visit the springs to catch a glimpse of them.

1. The American Alligator

If you are near a Floridan spring that has the American Alligator in the wild, you mustn’t miss the sight of this mighty creature. Featuring a wide jaw filled with teeth that can snap at 3000 pounds, this alligator can grow up to twelve feet and charge at you at lightning speed. But don’t worry. The authorities have arranged safe viewing spots wherein you can watch them in the wild from a safe distance. 

The American Alligators are most abundant in the Floridan springs during the month of May, which is the peak time of their mating period. However, they are less spotted during the cold, chilly months as they prefer to be dormant.

2. Armadillo

Even though the armadillos are the natives of the South American continent, they can now be widely seen near Floridan Springs. Armadillos in this region weigh just over five pounds and seem like small dinosaurs. 

Since they lack a thick coat of fur under their skin, they prefer to burrow holes and spend their time there during the cold months. So to catch sight of the armadillos in the wild, visit them during the summer months, especially during the cool evenings. You might also be able to spot one or two of these creatures during the warmest part of the cold days.

3. Pelican birds

If you’ve always wondered what a pelican looks like in the wild while they are busy fishing, the Floridan Springs will help you quench your curiosity. The brown pelicans thrive in the Springs and are quite common during the winter months. They migrate to the Springs during the chilly months and leave as soon as the sun starts to get hot.

4. Manatees

Manatees are fun-loving creatures that come to Floridan Springs during the winter months. The manatees migrate from the large water bodies during the cold season to escape the extreme coldness and seek refuge in the slightly warmer waters of the Springs. 

Hence you can see many manatees clubbed together at places in various Floridan Springs. If you want to spot the manatees and swim with them, visit any of the Springs that have this facility anytime between October to March.

5. Dolphins

Dolphins are genetically warm-blooded mammals that thrive quite well in the presence of human beings and have a great sense of humor. You can find the Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins in various Floridan Springs and even have a swim or cruise with them during the winter months.

6. Black Bears

You can spot the native black bears in several Floridan Springs. They are cute to watch, and you can do so from a safe distance from one of the special viewpoints. They like to feed on honey and can easily climb trees with their clawed paws. Visit the Springs during May, June, August, or September to get a glimpse of these cute teddies living their life in the wild bushes and trees of the Floridan Springs.

Final Thoughts

Floridan Springs is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. However, not all of them would be present at a given time. Therefore, you might have to take a minimum of two trips, one in the winter and one in the summer months, to ensure you see at least half of these varieties. 

The authorities take utmost care of the wildlife and vegetation to ensure that these creatures are not disturbed by the activities of the visitors. 

Thus, make sure when you spot a manatee or a dolphin in the water, you follow the rules and regulations set by the concerned authorities. Some of these creatures fall under the endangered category, and you might accidentally invite a fine when interacting with them.