Quick Facts about Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve

Quick Topics

The preserve shoreline is dominated by mangroves and numerous mangrove islands.
Submerged habitats include oyster bars and seagrass beds. Areas of hardbottom habitat are colonized by hard and soft coral species.
Tidal creeks, sinkholes and other geological features have added to the complexity of the Terra Ceia shoreline.
At least five species of bats forage for insects over the waters in Terra Ceia. A single bat can eat thousands of insects in one evening.
White pelicans and other migratory birds species arrive from thousands of miles away during their southward winter migrations.
Reddish egrets, the rarest heron in North America, nest on islands within the bay.

Horse conch

Newer technologies allow researchers to identify bats without handling them and causing stress.

Last updated: July 07, 2011