keydeer

National Key Dear Refuge

Established in 1957 to protect and preserve in the national interest the Key deer and other wildlife resources, the 9,200-acre National Key Dear Refuge consists of salt marsh wetlands, mangrove forests, freshwater wetlands, pine rockland forests, and tropical hardwood hammocks. Twenty-three endangered and/or threatened animals and plants live in the refuge.

National Key Dear Refuge is surrounded by saltwater and easily accessible on Big Pine Key. Because of karst bedrock, freshwater is stored in the bedrock’s holes and crevices. This freshwater is necessary for Key Deer and other plant and animal species to thrive.

Visiting National Key Dear Refuge on Big Pine Key:

Drive the Speed Limit. Key Deer and other wildlife share the roads with you.

Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center to learn about how to avoid poisonwood trees and stay safe on a trail where you may encounter snakes and alligators.

Saunter along the trails at The Blue Hole. https://www.imagineourflorida.org/blue-hole/

Discover endangered Bartram’s scrub hairstreak butterflies, endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbits, and the endangered Key Deer. https://www.imagineourflorida.org/key-deer/

There are 40 species of reptiles, including alligators and crocodiles, waiting to be discovered. Look for over 250 migratory and resident bird species, including the rarely seen Mangrove Cuckoo. Snakes, including the threatened Eastern Indigo call the refuge home.

Leashed dogs are welcome.

Learn more here:
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/National_Key_Deer_Refuge/

Photo credit: Dan Kon, Nancy Kon, Christian Kon

Key Deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are members of the North American White-tailed Deer family. They are the smallest species and are endangered.

Found only in the Florida Keys, these beautiful animals were poached and suffered from habitat loss, leaving only a few dozen left in the wild. In 1967, Key Deer were listed as endangered. The protections afforded them under the listing, as well as the establishment of the Key Deer refuge, have brought their population up to nearly 1,000. Big Pine Key and No Name Key are home to 3/4 of the population.

Key Deer dine on over 150 species of native plants. Adult females weigh about 65 pounds, and adult males weigh about 85 pounds. During the rut, the males lock horns as they compete. Breeding takes place in the fall. Between late spring and early summer, does give birth to one white-spotted fawn. When startled, Key Deer will raise their tails, exposing their white fur.

Humans can be a threat to Key Deer. When visiting The Keys, drive slowly, especially at night and in the early morning. Keep them wild. Resist feeding Key Deer unhealthy human food.

Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain and Dan Kon