Sanibel and Captiva Island is covered with natural beauty and scattered with parcels of protected lands. This is to ensure the habitat for all native species is protected. Organizations like Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR, City of Sanibel and the State of Florida is all working together to preserve the nature and all the beauty for many lifetimes to come.
If you are looking for wildlife adventure a few things you might want to check out Captain Bob's Eco Tours, Crow Clinic for the rehabilitation of Wildlife, Adventures in Paradise, Sanibel Sea School or maybe you want to sit in your own car's comfort and drive the 4 mile one-way trip through J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, this is the largest refuge on Sanibel-Captiva island spanning 6,350 acres, this is one of the first Wild Life Refuges established in the USA.
Things you might see while visiting: Bobcat, Bottlenose Dolphin, Coyote, Manatee, Rabbits, Armadillo, Raccoon, River Otter, Alligator, Snakes, Lizards, Turtle, Frog, Butterfly, Moth, Grasshopper, Mangfrove Tree Crab, Fiddler Crab and if you are really lucky you might even see a Horshoe Crab and this crab is considered to be a living fossil. These creatures origins go back 450 million years.
Be sure to look around for all the local and migrating birds as this is a hot spot for bird watching. Some of the many birds you might see while visiting: American Kestrel, Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Anhinga, Belted Kingfisher, Heron, Blue Jay, Broad-winged Hawk, Brown Pelican, Carolina Wren, Cattle Egret, Grackle, Great Egret, Laughing Gull, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Pied-billed Grebe, Pileated Woodpecker, Roseate Spoonbill and many more.
