Two children looking at a herd of elk from the bed of a carriage in a snowy landscape with mountains in the background

Egmont Key NWR provides excellent habitat for the endangered gopher tortoise. Between 1000 - 1500 tortoises roam the interior of the island but can often be seen foraging on vegetation near the beach. Florida box turtles can sometimes be seen as you walk the six miles of historic paths. Approximately 30-70 Loggerhead sea turtles nest on the island. Dolphins, other varieties of sea turtle, and manatees can be seen offshore.