Big Cypress National Preserve

🇺🇸 United States

🐊 Kingdom of the American Alligator
🌍 #86 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #2 in North America #6 in Wetlands & Mangrove
United States, United States 778 spp. recorded

Big Cypress National Preserve is a vast wetland sanctuary in southern Florida, protecting a sprawling mosaic of freshwater swamps, cypress strands, and pine flatwoods. Visitors walk along elevated boardwalks and muddy woodland trails through the soggy landscape to experience a subtropical wilderness defined by slow-moving water and dense trees.

26.027° N   81.103° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

American Alligator ★
LC Endemic

American Alligator

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Alligator mississippiensis

90–100% · Very likely
American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Mountain Lion ★
LC

Mountain Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Puma concolor

10–20% · With luck
West Indian Manatee ★
VU

West Indian Manatee

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Trichechus manatus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

80–90% · Very likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

70–80% · Very likely
Anhinga
LC

Anhinga

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anhinga anhinga

70–80% · Very likely
White Ibis
LC

White Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eudocimus albus

70–80% · Very likely
Great Blue Heron
LC Endemic

Great Blue Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea herodias

70–80% · Very likely
Florida Cottonmouth
Endemic

Florida Cottonmouth

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Agkistrodon conanti

70–80% · Very likely
Red-shouldered Hawk
LC

Red-shouldered Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo lineatus

60–70% · Likely
Brown Anole
LC

Brown Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis sagrei

60–70% · Likely
Red-bellied Woodpecker
LC

Red-bellied Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes carolinus

60–70% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

60–70% · Likely
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
LC Endemic

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Polioptila caerulea

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Mountain Lion ★
LC

Mountain Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Puma concolor

10–20% · With luck
West Indian Manatee ★
VU

West Indian Manatee

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Trichechus manatus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Fox Squirrel
LC

Fox Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus niger

30–40% · Possible
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

30–40% · Possible
Virginia Opossum
LC

Virginia Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis virginiana

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Gray Squirrel
LC

Eastern Gray Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus carolinensis

10–20% · With luck
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

10–20% · With luck
Bottlenose Dolphin
LC

Bottlenose Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tursiops truncatus

10–20% · With luck
Bobcat
LC Endemic

Bobcat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Lynx rufus

10–20% · With luck
Northern River Otter
LC Endemic

Northern River Otter

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lontra canadensis

10–20% · With luck
Marsh Rabbit
LC Endemic

Marsh Rabbit

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sylvilagus palustris

5–10% · With luck
Mexican Free-tailed Bat
LC

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Tadarida brasiliensis

5–10% · With luck
Hispid Cotton Rat
LC

Hispid Cotton Rat

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sigmodon hispidus

5–10% · With luck
Florida Bonneted Bat
VU Endemic

Florida Bonneted Bat

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Eumops floridanus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Great Egret
LC Endemic

Great Egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea alba

80–90% · Very likely
American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

70–80% · Very likely
Anhinga
LC

Anhinga

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anhinga anhinga

70–80% · Very likely
White Ibis
LC

White Ibis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eudocimus albus

70–80% · Very likely
Great Blue Heron
LC Endemic

Great Blue Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea herodias

70–80% · Very likely
Red-shouldered Hawk
LC

Red-shouldered Hawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo lineatus

60–70% · Likely
Red-bellied Woodpecker
LC

Red-bellied Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes carolinus

60–70% · Likely
Black Vulture
LC

Black Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coragyps atratus

60–70% · Likely
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
LC Endemic

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Polioptila caerulea

60–70% · Likely
Double-crested Cormorant

Double-crested Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax auritus

50–60% · Likely
Palm Warbler
LC

Palm Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga palmarum

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

American Alligator ★
LC Endemic

American Alligator

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Alligator mississippiensis

90–100% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Florida Cottonmouth
Endemic

Florida Cottonmouth

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Agkistrodon conanti

70–80% · Very likely
Brown Anole
LC

Brown Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis sagrei

60–70% · Likely
Florida Softshell Turtle
LC Endemic

Florida Softshell Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Apalone ferox

60–70% · Likely
Banded Water Snake
LC Endemic

Banded Water Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Nerodia fasciata

50–60% · Likely
Brown Watersnake
LC Endemic

Brown Watersnake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Nerodia taxispilota

50–60% · Likely
Scarletsnake
LC Endemic

Scarletsnake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Cemophora coccinea

40–50% · Likely
Florida Green Watersnake
LC Endemic

Florida Green Watersnake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Nerodia floridana

40–50% · Possible
Florida Redbelly Turtle
LC Endemic

Florida Redbelly Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pseudemys nelsoni

40–50% · Possible
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard
LC

Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Leiocephalus carinatus

30–40% · Possible
North American Racer
LC

North American Racer

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Coluber constrictor

30–40% · Possible
Corn Snake
LC Endemic

Corn Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Pantherophis guttatus

30–40% · Possible
Burmese Python
VU

Burmese Python

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Python bivittatus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Southern Toad
LC Endemic

Southern Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus terrestris

50–60% · Likely
Southern Leopard Frog
LC Endemic

Southern Leopard Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates sphenocephalus

40–50% · Likely
Cuban Treefrog
LC

Cuban Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Osteopilus septentrionalis

40–50% · Likely
Pig Frog
Endemic

Pig Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates grylio

30–40% · Possible
Squirrel Treefrog
LC

Squirrel Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dryophytes squirellus

30–40% · Possible
Green Treefrog
LC

Green Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dryophytes cinereus

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
LC Endemic

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Gastrophryne carolinensis

20–30% · Possible
Oak Toad
LC Endemic

Oak Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus quercicus

20–30% · Possible
Greenhouse Frog
LC

Greenhouse Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eleutherodactylus planirostris

20–30% · Possible
Southern Cricket Frog
LC Endemic

Southern Cricket Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Acris gryllus

10–20% · With luck
Two-toed Amphiuma
LC Endemic

Two-toed Amphiuma

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Amphiuma means

5–10% · With luck
Eastern Newt
LC

Eastern Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Notophthalmus viridescens

5–10% · With luck

Animal Events

🦌

Dry Season Wildlife Concentration

JanFebMar

As water levels drop during the dry winter, wildlife concentrates around shrinking waterholes, making it an ideal time to observe West Indian Manatees in warmer waters and Fox Squirrels foraging in open pinelands.

West Indian Manatee
VU

West Indian Manatee

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Trichechus manatus

10–20% · With luck
Fox Squirrel
LC

Fox Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus niger

30–40% · Possible
🦎

Wet Season Reptile Activity

JunJulAugSep

Summer rains flood the preserve, triggering intense breeding and foraging activity where Florida Cottonmouths and invasive Burmese Pythons become highly mobile across the inundated landscape.

Florida Cottonmouth
Endemic

Florida Cottonmouth

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Agkistrodon conanti

70–80% · Very likely
Burmese Python
VU

Burmese Python

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Python bivittatus

30–40% · Possible
🦌

Spring Breeding and Emergence

AprMay

Spring brings rising temperatures and distinct breeding periods for various native species, including American Black Bears roaming wider territories and Florida Softshell Turtles moving to nesting sites.

American Black Bear
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Florida Softshell Turtle
LC Endemic

Florida Softshell Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Apalone ferox

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
American Alligator
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
90–100
American Black Bear
20–30
10–20
10–20
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
40–50
20–30
Mountain Lion
20–30
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
20–30
10–20
20–30
30–40
10–20
10–20
West Indian Manatee
30–40
30–40
20–30
10–20
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
10–20
10–20
Great Egret
90–100
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
American Crow
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
Turkey Vulture
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
Anhinga
80–90
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
White Ibis
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
Great Blue Heron
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
80–90
70–80
80–90
Florida Cottonmouth
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
Red-shouldered Hawk
60–70
60–70
60–70
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
Brown Anole
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Red-bellied Woodpecker
50–60
60–70
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
Black Vulture
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
Animal Events
🦌 Dry Season Wildlife Concentration
🦎 Wet Season Reptile Activity
🦌 Spring Breeding and Emergence

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐊 Kingdom of the American Alligator

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
536
🐒 Mammals
96
🦎 Reptiles
94
🐸 Amphibians
52
778 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
49 Threatened 168 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
73%
📊
Coverage (138 species at ≥5% of 778 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
18%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 3 reptile)
46% Global avg
50%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
85
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
7
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
34

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Big Cypress National Preserve?

The most likely sightings are American Alligator (seen by 90–100% of wildlife watchers), Great Egret (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), American Crow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Turkey Vulture (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Anhinga (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 778 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Big Cypress National Preserve for wildlife?

December has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see American Alligator in Big Cypress National Preserve?

Yes — about 93% of wildlife watchers report a American Alligator sighting in Big Cypress National Preserve, based on 1,248 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see American Black Bear in Big Cypress National Preserve?

Yes — about 31% of wildlife watchers report a American Black Bear sighting in Big Cypress National Preserve, based on 67 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mountain Lion in Big Cypress National Preserve?

Yes — about 19% of wildlife watchers report a Mountain Lion sighting in Big Cypress National Preserve, based on 31 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see West Indian Manatee in Big Cypress National Preserve?

Yes — about 19% of wildlife watchers report a West Indian Manatee sighting in Big Cypress National Preserve, based on 31 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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