Meet The Animals
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Gallery at a Glance
Discover Florida’s most charismatic residents: upland animals like the burrowing gopher tortoise, freshwater-dwelling North American river otters, a Florida manatee found in fresh and saltwater environments, and sea turtles who spend their lives at sea. Check out the toddler play area for interactive games and activities.
Our North American river otter Pippi, is a visitor favorite. Watch her swim, play and snooze in her den while learning about river otter’s homes in the watershed—lands that drain water toward rivers, estuaries and the sea.
Our resident Florida manatee, Buffett, might be spotted munching on lettuce or giving visitors his signature “boop” (nudging the window with his snout). Discover how Mote Marine Laboratory scientists study manatees to help save these threatened mammals—whether we’re flying on airplanes to count manatees or even learning from Buffett himself, one of the world’s few manatees trained to participate in voluntary behavioral research to aid conservation.
Meet real sea turtles and other turtle species, who outlived the dinosaurs but need our help to survive today. Learn how Mote scientists have monitored local sea turtle nesting for more than 40 years and how we rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles to help save these imperiled species.
And don’t miss our roseate spoonbills—weird and wonderful pink birds—and our American alligator. These iconic species are ambassadors for Florida’s vital wetlands.
