Turtles might not be at the top of the list of wildlife to see when planning your airboat ride in the Everglades, but these amazing creatures definitely should be! While they are not always easy to spot, many different species of turtles call the Everglades home. A scenic airboat ride is a great way to catch a glimpse of them.
Here are some of the turtles you might see on your airboat tour through the Everglades:
Loggerhead Sea Turtle: The loggerhead has a large head with strong jaws, perfect for crushing hard-shelled prey. They are large; two to three feet long and weighing up to 200 pounds. Loggerheads can often be seen feeding in shallow coastlines and brackish water in the Everglades.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle: The hawksbill is known for its narrow head and hawk-like beak, which is shaped for reaching into cracks of coral reefs to search for food. Weighing 100 to 200 pounds and measuring two to three feet long, hawksbills are considered one of the most beautiful sea turtles because of their colorful shell. Rarely seen in the US, a few choose Florida’s coast as their nesting ground.
Florida Red-bellied Cooter: The red-bellied cooter is known, of course, for its red-tinged stomach. Usually weighing under ten pounds, this species is quite small. Seemingly fearless for their size though, these little guys are often seen sharing space with alligators.
Florida Box Turtle: The Florida box turtle carries a high-domed black shell with yellow markings. At only four to six inches long, these small turtles are usually seen in marshes and swamps. They love to lie in the water, but rarely swim.
Green Sea Turtle: The green sea turtle is actually named for the green color of their bodies, since their shells are very dark. These large turtles commonly weigh between 150 and 400 pounds, though they can be as large as 700 pounds. They are the only herbivores among sea turtles. These giants can occasionally be seen sunbathing out of the water.
Leatherback Sea Turtle: Weighing up to 2,000 pounds and growing to reach lengths of seven feet, leatherbacks are the largest turtles on Earth. Instead of a hard bony shell, the leatherback has a flexible rubbery shell. While they are usually found in the open ocean, leatherbacks sometimes feed close to the shore.
Schedule Your Everglades Airboat Ride in Fort Lauderdale to See Beautiful Wildlife Today
An airboat tour with experienced guide, Captain Bill at Cypress Outdoor Adventures gives you a chance to experience Fort Lauderdale’s turtles, as well as many other creatures that call the area home. Call Cypress at 954-260-1096 to reserve your private airboat tour.