Wildlife Watching
Endangered species and endangered habitat often go together. Okefenokee’s longleaf pine forests provide shelter for gopher tortoises, eastern indigo snakes, Bachman’s sparrows, and red-cockaded woodpeckers. Trees with white paint rings indicate cavity trees of these endangered woodpeckers and are visible along the entrance road and Swamp Island Drive. Gopher tortoises dig burrows under or near the entrance road as well, where they graze in spring and summer. Where there’s water, there are alligators. If you look closely, you may even hear or see babies. Keep your distance – Mama Gator is a very protective parent!
At least 234 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 64 species of reptiles, 37 species of amphibians, 39 species of fish can be found here at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors might catch a glimpse of endangered and threatened species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, wood stork and indigo snake while looking for migratory songbirds, secretive marsh birds, shorebirds, and wading birds that visit throughout the year. Year-round residents include white-tailed deer, American black bear, American alligators, herons, egrets, bobcats, and more.
Never Feed Wildlife
It’s always best to let wildlife stay wild. Feeding wildlife, including alligators, can cause serious problems for both wildlife and people. Not only is feeding wildlife illegal, it can also lead to dangerous situations, health issues for wildlife, loss of natural behaviors, and impacts to the local ecosystem. When humans feed alligators, the animals start to associate people with food. This can make them less afraid of humans, and they may approach people looking for more food. Alligators are wild animals, and when they lose their fear of people, it can lead to dangerous situations where they might bite or attack.
Wildlife Watching Etiquette
- If an animal changes its behavior, you are too close.
- Give wildlife plenty of space with a wide escape route. Do not pursue wildlife.
- View wildlife from a distance. Invest in a zoom lens, binoculars, or a spotting scope to view wildlife up close.
- Follow the “Rule of Thumb”. With your arm extended and making a “thumbs up” sign, if you can cover the entire animal with your thumb, you are likely at a comfortable viewing distance for both you and wildlife.
- Wildlife can be disturbed in ways other than proximity such as flash photography, loud noises, and rapid movements
- Be respectful of sensitive areas. Rookeries and nesting areas exist on the refuge. Visitors who are wanting a closer look may cause parents or young to flee or become separated, which leaves their young vulnerable to lurking predators and other dangers.
- Respect other visitors. Be aware that other visitors enjoy watching wildlife, too. Please enhance the experience and enjoyment of the refuge for others by showing mutual respect.
Where To Look for Wildlife
Begin watching for wildlife on the entrance road to the Suwanee Canal Recreation Area. Lucky visitors may be treated to birds of prey, white-tailed deer, and the occasional gopher tortoise or American black bear. Once you arrive at the refuge, stop by the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center to inquire about recent wildlife sightings, or you can check out recent birds sightings on eBird and wildlife sightings on iNaturalist before you arrive at the refuge.
From the parking lot at the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center, visitors can look for wildlife around the 7-mile self-guided Swamp Island Drive. Watch for the American alligator, red-cockaded woodpecker, brown-headed nuthatch, eastern gray squirrel, eastern fox squirrel, nine-banded armadillo, wild turkey, and more.
The refuge has about 5 miles of walking and bicycling trails and over 120 miles of paddling trails. The Owl’s Roost Observation Tower at the end of the 0.7-mile Chesser Island Boardwalk has an expansive view of the swamp and is a good place to view and photograph birds and other wildlife.
Best Time to See Wildlife
Wildlife viewing varies both daily and seasonally but is usually best during the early morning or evening hours when many species of wildlife are out searching for food. If you get to the refuge early in the morning, you may get to enjoy the sweet songs of cardinals, mockingbirds, doves, wrens, and more during their morning chorus.
How To Increase Your Chances of Seeing Wildlife
- Wear earth-colored clothing.
- Be still and move slowly.
- Be as quiet as possible. Refrain from yelling and shouting. We know how exciting it is to see that special critter, but yelling will likely scare it away.
- While pets are allowed in designated areas, you will have a better chance of seeing wildlife if you leave pets at home. Pets could be too much of a temptation for a curious or hungry alligator. If an alligator gets too close and goes after your dog, the consequences could be extremely harmful or even deadly to all involved. Visit the pet walking page to learn more.
Wildlife Harassment is a Crime
Harassment is defined as the disruption of natural behavioral patterns, which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Violators are subject to up to one year in jail and up to a $100,000 fine. Please report all suspicious activity or violations of the law by calling a Federal Wildlife Officer at 912-313-6955.
