Florida Keys for Families   a to z guide A ANIMALS - ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES - BIRDS - FEEDINGS - AQUARIUM - MARINE LIFE -TURTLES - ZOOS

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ANIMALS - ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES

Everglades Safari Evening Crocodile Tours - MM 102 Bayside, Dolphin Cove, Key Largo, 305-853-5161, 888-224-6044 .Offers a a nightime Crocodile Tour

Blue Hole - Big Pine Key - 305-872-2239 , Alligators at times reside in a sink hole called Blue Hole located off of Key Deer Boulevard on Big Pine Key. Blue Hole has an nature observation platform and a walking trail. Freshwater fish and turtles as well as. A great place for picture taking family photos and videos.

 

ANIMALS - BIRDS

Kids love animals and nature and there are any number of places to go in the Florida Keys to learn more about the animals present in the Florida Keys.

 Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys and Hospital facility - Key West

Indigenous Park at the base of White Street Pier , Key West - Houses injured on the mend birds plus 50 resident birds, animals too severely injured to be released back into the wild. Open daily to public 9 A.M. to 5 PM, donations accepted.

Riggs Wildlife - Bird Refuge - Located close by the Key West International Airport and South Roosevelt Boulevard. 305-294-2116, 294-3438, 269-3913. Fifty acre refuge which is part of the old 1830s Salt Ponds of Key West may have combination lock locked necessitating a phone to numbers provided above. Bird lovers will appreciate the observation deck which facilitates excellent views of herons, egrets, ibis and ospreys.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center - MM 98.2 - bayside Tavernier

Six acre paradise for bird lovers. Cares for birds with injuries. Visitors tour the wetlands via a wooden walkway and can observe peacocks, a Coopers Hawk, white herons, peregrine falcon, screech owl, ibis, merlin, brown pelican, osprey. Open to public and supported with donations by visitors. Self-guided tour, open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.

World Parrot Mission - Recently established at the Bird Center is the World Parrot Mission with purpose of caring for parrots. Parrot behavioral shows daily beginning at 11 AM , phone 305-853-BIRD, http://www.worldparrotmission.org

Treasure Island - On US 1 in Islamorada there is wonderful artwork of a Florida lobster structure for kids to see. Inside Treasure Island there are live birds in the atrium as well as shop, a children's play area and small cafe with fresh baked goods.

 

ANIMALS - BUTTERFLIES

 

Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory -1316 Duval St.- (305)296-2988

Your Trip to paradise will not be complete without a walk through the magical world of Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, where hundreds of free-flying butterflies inhabit an enclosed, climate-controlled tropical habitat. The most beautiful winged creatures in nature surround you as you stroll among the flowers, trees, colorful birds and cascading waterfall. Marvel at 50 to 60 varieties of butterflies from around the world. The Learning Center explores all aspects of the butterfly world with a short film and educational displays, while the Gift Shop and Gallery offer a wide range of unique gifts. They offer discounted rates for children ages 4 to 12; 3 and under are free.

 

 

ANIMALS - FEEDINGS

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center - location listed above, pelican feedings 9 A.M., 2 PM, and 3:30 PM

See ANIMALS - AQUARIUM - MARINE LIFE

See Fish Feeding

 

ANIMALS - AQUARIUM - MARINE LIFE

Key West Aquarium - Whitehead St. and Mallory Square, Key West - 305- 296-2051, Adults, $6; children 8 to 15, $3; children 7 and under free. (see Tours)

Open from 10 AM to 6 the Aquarium has guided tours at 11 AM and at 1, 3, and 4;30 in the afternoon. Tour times are feeding times for sharks, stingrays, and barracudas. Over 40 aquariums (one holding 30,000 gallons) of different sizes and shapes with sea creatures and Florida Keys marine life. Touch tank for children with crabs, sea cucumbers, urchins, starfish, and such. See and learn about a moray eel, tarpon, snook, grouper, jacks, turtles, tropical fish in their marine habitats. http://www.KeyWestAquarium.com

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Key Largo - Visitor's Center has natural history exhibits and 30,000 gallon aquarium.

Wide World Sportsman - MM 81.5 - Islamorada - Aquarium for viewing snook, grouper, tarpon, and the elusive bonefish. The largest saltwater and fly fishing store in Florida . Children can climb aboard a replica of Hemingway's boat, or have a beverage on the verandah of the Zane Grey Lounge, They'll love the fish viewing the store's large Everglades aquarium. Don't miss it!

 

Grand Key Resort - 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West - 305-293-1818, 888-310-1540- 25,000 gallon aquarium in Resort lobby populated with reef fish

 

ANIMALS - TURTLES

The Turtle Hospital - Marathon - Closed to the public up to now, Tours of the Turtle Hospital in Marathon are available at 10 AM Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Limited to the first 20 persons. Cost $15 per adult and $7.50 for children. Call 305-743-5376 or stop by the Hidden Harbor Motel for reservations.

Tour includes 20 minute Power Point presentation about types of turtles and how the hospital began together with information surgery and x-ray rooms.

 

Standby Tours primarily for Motel Guest held each day at 4:30 PM for people who are unable to tour at 10 AM.

Volunteer workers cvall 743-2552

School groups have always been welcome as part of the hospital's education program. The funds from tours will be used to cover operating expenses of the Hospital.This is a unique facility which treats a variety of turtle ailments. Ailments to flippers caused by fishing line and trap entanglements, shell damage resulting from boat collisions and internal problems caused by ingesting foreign matter such as palstic, and a growth called fibropapilloma are all treated at the Turtle Hospital.

 

ANIMALS - ZOOS

Sheriff's Office Children's Animal Farm - located at the Monroe County Detention Center, off College Rd. on Stock Island

Animal farm will be open to the public every Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m.

Admission is free, gates open to the public on the second and fourth Sundays of every month -- organizations such as schools and day-care centers can make special arrangements to visit., admission free - 150 plus animals - domestic pets and wildlife, albino pythons, rabbits, birds,ducks, geese, caiman, iguanas, goats, potbellied pigs, turkeys, horses, a family of Patagonian cavies -- South American rodents that are often confused with wallabies. All animals either found abandoned, given up by owners, or obtained in animal cruelty cases. Groups are able to make special arrangements by calling schedule 305-293-7300.

Animal Coloring Book

A coloring book for the kids may be downloaded at http://floridaconservation.org/educator/colrbook.html  

This Florida's Animated Alphabet is designed for young children to introduce Florida's wide variety of native wildlife and the interesting natural history and behavior of its wild creatures.

 

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A to Z INDEX OF CATEGORIES    A - ACCOMMODATIONS - FAMILY ORIENTED RESORTS ACCOMMODATIONS FAMILY - OTHER AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AIRPLANE RIDES ANIMALS ART AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES, BOOKS, GAMES, IDEAS FOR TRAVEL B - BABY FOOD, ACCESSORIES, BABY SITTING BASEBALL AND BASEBALL DIAMONDS BARBERS AND BEAUTY SALONS BATHROOMS BEACHES AND BEACH ADVISORIES BEACH PHOTOGRAPHERS BICYCLES BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES BIRTHDAY PARTIES - BALLOONS, COSTUMES, ENTERTAINMENT, MAGICIANS BOATS - CANOES, RENTALS, SAILING, TOURS AND SCENIC RIDES BOWLING C - CAMPING CAR SEATS CHILDREN'S CAMPS CHILD CARE CENTERS CHILDREN'S SERVICES CHRISTMAS COMPUTER GAMES D - DANCE LESSONS DENTISTS DEPARTMENT STORES DOCTORS - FOR CHILDREN DOLPHINS PROGRAMS AND ENCOUNTERS E - ENVIRONMENT F - FISH FEEDING, FISHING - DOCKS - MARINAS - PARTY BOATS FOOD - CHILD FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS , BURGERS , PIZZA FESTIVALS G - GAMES - COMPACT FOR TRAVEL GOLF GYMNASTICS H - HOCKEY HOSPITALS I - ICE CREAM J - JOURNALS, TRAVEL DIARIES AND SCRAPBOOKS FOR KIDS K - KARATE KAYAKING

L - LACROSSE LESSONS (See tennis, wind surfing, wakeboarding, piano,sailing, swimming, recreation programs, arts and crafts ) LIBRARIES M - MAGICIANS MOVIES MUSEUMS N - NATURE WALKS NURSERY SCHOOLS (See CHILD CARE CENTERS ) P - PARASAILING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR CHILDREN / FAMILIES PIANOS LESSONS PLAYGROUNDS AND PARKS (see also SCHOOLS)   Q - QUARRY R - RAILROADS RECREATION READING RESCUE SQUADS  S -   SAILING - LESSONS, SAILBOAT RENTALS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT SANDALS AND SHOES SCHOOLS - REGISTRATION, IMMUNIZATION (public), SCHOOLS (private), SKATING SNORKELING AND SNUBA, SOCCER SPAS SUMMER RECREATION SUNSET CELEBRATIONS AND CRUISES SWIMMING T - TACOS TENNIS COURTS AND LESSONS, TOURS TOYS TRANSPORTATION TUTORING V - VIDEO MOVIE AND GAME RENTALS, W - WAKEBOARDING, WALKING, WINDSURFING SUPPLIES AND LESSONS, WEDDINGS Y- YOUTH GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND CENTERS (see also CAMPS), Z - ZOOS (see ANIMALS )

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