Wildlife Sightings on the Marco Island Safari Truck Tour.
We see all sorts of wildlife on Marco Island. Most tours on Marco Island are by watercraft but our tour is by land, so we see completely different animals than you would see on your typical boat or kayak tour. When mother nature cooperates, we'll have an opportunity to spot some of these animals from the comfort of the safari truck. We'll be pointing them out and talking to you about them if we spot them.
1) Gopher Tortoise
This is the star of the show! We see native gopher tortoises 99% of the time on our sightseeing tours around Marco Island. We know all of the best areas on Marco Island to view them and what times they come out of their burrows. Did you know the gopher tortoise can be seen year round on Marco Island? They can live up to 80 years old and grow up to 15 inches long. Gopher tortoises can venture out up to 150 feet from their burrows to eat vegetation. Often times they'll be crossing the road right in front of the safari truck! Join us today and learn all about them and view them from the comfort of our safari truck sightseeing tours.
This is the star of the show! We see native gopher tortoises 99% of the time on our sightseeing tours around Marco Island. We know all of the best areas on Marco Island to view them and what times they come out of their burrows. Did you know the gopher tortoise can be seen year round on Marco Island? They can live up to 80 years old and grow up to 15 inches long. Gopher tortoises can venture out up to 150 feet from their burrows to eat vegetation. Often times they'll be crossing the road right in front of the safari truck! Join us today and learn all about them and view them from the comfort of our safari truck sightseeing tours.
2) Green Iguana
Bet you didn't know that south Florida has massive green iguanas, did you? That's right... they are all over Marco Island. Each female green iguana can lay up to 70 eggs. Their population has exploded! This invasive species can be spotted on canal walls, lanai screens, rooftops and of course... the tops of trees. They love the sun and need the sun to stay a live since they are cold blooded. Did you know when it get cold, iguanas fall from the trees here on Marco Island? Locals call it the lizard blizzard. We spot iguanas almost every day on our sightseeing tours around Marco Island.
Bet you didn't know that south Florida has massive green iguanas, did you? That's right... they are all over Marco Island. Each female green iguana can lay up to 70 eggs. Their population has exploded! This invasive species can be spotted on canal walls, lanai screens, rooftops and of course... the tops of trees. They love the sun and need the sun to stay a live since they are cold blooded. Did you know when it get cold, iguanas fall from the trees here on Marco Island? Locals call it the lizard blizzard. We spot iguanas almost every day on our sightseeing tours around Marco Island.
3) Burrowing Owl
If you were to pick Marco Island's favorite local critter, it would probably be the burrowing owl. They start popping their heads out of their burrows all over the island around January. They live in burrows to stay warm and protect their young. This owl is special because we can see them during the middle of the day when most owls usually only come out at night. They are about the size of a soda can. We know all the best spots to see these owls and we monitor their burrows almost daily... so we know which burrows are empty and which burrows are active. The best time to see burrowing owls is February through June on Marco Island.
If you were to pick Marco Island's favorite local critter, it would probably be the burrowing owl. They start popping their heads out of their burrows all over the island around January. They live in burrows to stay warm and protect their young. This owl is special because we can see them during the middle of the day when most owls usually only come out at night. They are about the size of a soda can. We know all the best spots to see these owls and we monitor their burrows almost daily... so we know which burrows are empty and which burrows are active. The best time to see burrowing owls is February through June on Marco Island.
4) Bald Eagle
During the months of November through April, we have a very high chance of seeing bald eagles because it's nesting season! And we know the best spot to view them on our safari truck sightseeing tour here on Marco Island. The female bald eagle will not leave the nest once she has eggs. The male bald eagle must provide food and protection. Bald eagles will eat snakes, rats and other birds... including osprey chicks. We probably won't see bald eagles in the summer or fall months.
During the months of November through April, we have a very high chance of seeing bald eagles because it's nesting season! And we know the best spot to view them on our safari truck sightseeing tour here on Marco Island. The female bald eagle will not leave the nest once she has eggs. The male bald eagle must provide food and protection. Bald eagles will eat snakes, rats and other birds... including osprey chicks. We probably won't see bald eagles in the summer or fall months.
5) Bottlenose Dolphin
Wait... how can we see dolphins from a safari truck on the road? Don't worry, we know where to find them! We see dolphins 50% of the time during our sightseeing tour. Did you know Marco Island has a pod of 80 dolphins on the south end and around 60 dolphins on the north end of the island? They can eat up to 25 lbs of fish per day. We'll often see them tail slapping or see their dorsal fins pop up for a second from the comfort of our safari truck.
Wait... how can we see dolphins from a safari truck on the road? Don't worry, we know where to find them! We see dolphins 50% of the time during our sightseeing tour. Did you know Marco Island has a pod of 80 dolphins on the south end and around 60 dolphins on the north end of the island? They can eat up to 25 lbs of fish per day. We'll often see them tail slapping or see their dorsal fins pop up for a second from the comfort of our safari truck.
6) Osprey
Osprey occupy every continent except Antarctica. They are also known as a seahawk. Osprey are all over Marco Island and we know the best places to see them. We'll pull over next to their massive nests and talk about osprey. Did you know Osprey always live by the water? Their diet is only fresh fish. They'll even spin the fish they catch around in mid air so the fish's head is facing head first for better aerodynamics while they fly.
Osprey occupy every continent except Antarctica. They are also known as a seahawk. Osprey are all over Marco Island and we know the best places to see them. We'll pull over next to their massive nests and talk about osprey. Did you know Osprey always live by the water? Their diet is only fresh fish. They'll even spin the fish they catch around in mid air so the fish's head is facing head first for better aerodynamics while they fly.
