The feeling is primitive and gives a hint of what coastal Florida must have been like before the coming of the European settlers. The only hint of human presence is the paved road and levees on the fresh water ponds to maintain the water level. To find such a parcel of land on the coast of Florida that has not been paved over and covered in waterfront homes is uncommon, but to find such a natural habitat with numerous species of wildlife is rare indeed. This is a perfect example of salt-water marsh habitat with all the necessary elements to attract a variety of animals. Alligators are common.
Waterfowl are abundant in winter and a wide variety of wading birds frequent the area.
One pond has a dead tree that is an egret rookery, and bald eagles can be found in the refuge almost any season. Currently there are nine pairs nesting on the refuge. A massive migration of Monarch butterflies usually appears in late October, covering trees and bushes, and other species include gulf fritillaries, sulfurs, buckeyes, and skippers. Wild turkeys and armadillos are here and occasionally making an appearance are the bobcat and black bear. St. Marks Refuge occupies a total of 65,000 acres, and the refuge boundaries encompass 17,000 acres of designated wilderness where the jaguarundi is known to reside, but you will be exceptionally fortunate if you spot one of these rare creatures.