Habitats and Species
The refuge provides a range of habitats, from saltwater estuaries and freshwater impoundments and marshes, to dunes, hardwood hammocks, and scrub. It is therefore rich in over 1000 species of plants, 117 species of fish, 68 amphibians and reptiles, 330 birds, and 31 mammal species. Of these species, 21 are listed as endangered either by the state of Florida or by the US federal government. The following are some of the more important species using the refuge; most of them nest there:
- Sea turtles including
- Loggerhead Sea Turtle
- Green turtle
- American Alligator
- Osprey
- Bald Eagle
- Many species of waterfowl use the refuge as a wintering ground; Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler are resident in small numbers
- Many species of shorebirds, some resident and some using the refuge in the course of their migration
- Several species of rails
- Anhinga
- Several species of heron and egret
- Glossy and White Ibis
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Florida Scrub Jay
- West Indian Manatee
- Florida Panther, an endangered subspecies of Cougar
- Dwarf Siren, a recently discovered salamander
Read more about this topic: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
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