Okefenokee Swamp Education and Information Center

Wildlife abound in the Okefenokee year-round. Black bear move throughout the swamp seeking food on the islands. Otter are commonly seen during cold weather, when alligators are relatively inactive. Alligators are active in the summer and are observed sunning on banks mostly during spring and fall.

There is no need to fear snakes or alligators as long as normal precautions are taken and animals or nests are not molested. Food attracts animals, so use good camp hygiene, whether you are picnicking or camping. Do not wash dishes in the water. Pick up crumbs, secure food within raccoon-proof containers and/or hang away from an animal's reach. If animals become too aggressive, they may have to be relocated. Help keep them in their home territory.

Open prairies are good places to view wading birds such as egrets, herons, white ibis, wood storks, and sandhill cranes, depending on the season. Warbler viewing is good in the scrub-scrub areas. Turkey vultures often circle overhead and many species of hawks and some waterfowl also reside in the swamp during the year. If you are a birder and are interested in helping the refuge staff collect data, request a bird survey form.

In general, mosquitoes are not a problem except after dark. They are rarely encountered during the daytime. Deerflies, although a biting menace at times during the summer, are not as numerous deep in the swamp. During May and June, biting yellow flies can make a trip into the swamp unpleasant.

We want to introduce you to a few of the animal inhabitants of the Okefenokee. Brief descriptions are included. Photographs (by John Zegel and others) are linked where available.

Click on one of the following links to start your tour of critters of the Okefenokee Swamp:
Reptiles	Mammals	Birds

The Related Links page has links to other "Critter Pages" around the web including the Georgia Wildlife Federation's extensive listings of animals and their status.

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