Emmett Otter's Save Our Bay
Join Emmett Otter on an adventure through the bay ecosystem! Discover the mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians that keep our waters healthy and thriving.
Save Our Bay
River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
Aquatic Acrobat
Masters of water with streamlined bodies and powerful tails for swift swimming and playful dives.
Waterway Custodian
Hunts fish, crayfish, and amphibians, helping maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Shoreline Engineer
Creates dens in riverbanks with underwater entrances, enhancing biodiversity through habitat creation.
Social Gatherers
Forms family groups called "romps," communicating through chirps, whistles, and playful behavior.
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Habitat
These intelligent mammals thrive in coastal estuaries and open bays, where they hunt and socialize in family groups.
Did You Know?
Dolphins use signature whistles that function like names, allowing them to identify and call to specific individuals in their pod.
Friend of the Bay
As top predators, their health and population reflect the overall condition of the ecosystem.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Habitat
Forest edges and wetlands, where they can forage along shorelines.
Did You Know?
Raccoons have a fascinating habit of washing their food in water before eating it.
Friend of the Bay
These masked mammals help disperse seeds and clean shorelines as they forage.
Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)
Excellent Swimmers
Unlike most rabbits, marsh rabbits are adapted for aquatic environments.
Dense Vegetation
They make their homes in thick marsh plants for protection.
Nutrient Cycling
Help maintain healthy marsh soils through their feeding habits.
White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Habitat
Upland woods and meadows near the bay
Warning Signal
Their white tails act as flags to warn others of danger
Plant Shapers
Browsing habits help shape plant communities
Bay Friend
Important part of the watershed ecosystem
Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger)
Collect Nuts
Gather acorns and pine seeds throughout the forest
Bury Treasures
Hide nuts in various locations for winter storage
Forget Locations
Unintentionally plant new trees when nuts are forgotten
Forest Renewal
Help regenerate forests through seed dispersal
Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
Underwater Expert
Can hold their breath for six minutes when crossing streams
Insect Controller
Consumes thousands of insects and grubs daily
Soil Aerator
Digging habits improve soil health in upland areas
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Tree Climber
Only American canid that can climb trees
Rodent Control
Helps maintain balanced rodent populations
Ridge Dweller
Prefers forested ridges and coastal scrub
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)

Freeze Response
Remains motionless to avoid detection
Grassy Habitat
Thrives in open spaces with cover nearby
Prey Base
Supports predator food webs throughout the ecosystem
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
1,000
Mosquitoes Per Hour
A single bat can consume this many insects in just one hour!
20
Years Lifespan
Can live up to two decades in the wild
40
MPH Flight Speed
One of the fastest and most agile flyers
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Stealthy Hunter
Silent predator that stalks prey with patience
Skilled Climber
Easily scales trees to escape or hunt
Strong Swimmer
Navigates waterways when necessary
Population Balancer
Keeps smaller mammal numbers in check
Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Warning Display
Stamps feet as a first warning before spraying
Pest Control
Consumes grubs and insects that damage gardens
Ecosystem Service
Helps maintain healthy soil by controlling pests
Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Florida black bears are a unique subspecies that act as keystone species in the ecosystem. They disperse seeds over wide areas as they forage through pine forests and cypress wetlands.
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Impressive Nests
Eagles build massive nests up to 9 feet wide in tall trees near water.
Skilled Hunter
These apex predators primarily catch fish but will also take waterfowl.
Recovery Symbol
Their comeback represents successful ecosystem recovery efforts.
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
With a wingspan of nearly 7 feet, these majestic birds are natural fish population controllers in shallow wetlands and marsh edges.
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
How do Ospreys catch fish?
Ospreys hover above water, then dive feet-first to grab fish with their specialized talons. They have reversible outer toes and barbed pads on their feet to help grip slippery prey.
Where do Ospreys live?
They build large stick nests on platforms and treetops near water. Many coastal communities install osprey platforms to support nesting pairs.
Why are they important to the bay?
Their presence indicates healthy fish populations. As fish specialists, they won't stay in areas where fish are scarce or contaminated.
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
Wood storks feed in drying pools where fish are concentrated, making them important indicators of healthy wetland cycles.
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
60
Feet Above Water
Height from which pelicans can spot fish
3
Gallon Pouch
Capacity of their expandable throat pouch
7
Foot Wingspan
Width of their impressive wings when fully extended
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
Distinctive Bill
Their unique spoon-shaped bill allows them to sweep through shallow water, feeling for small aquatic creatures.
Pink Coloration
Their vibrant pink color comes from carotenoid pigments in the shrimp and other crustaceans they consume.
Wetland Mascot
As one of the most visually striking birds of the bay, they've become symbols of wetland biodiversity and health.
Clapper Rail (Rallus crepitans)
Secretive Nature
More often heard than seen due to their elusive behavior in dense marsh vegetation.
Distinctive Call
Their "kek-kek-kek" calls echo through salt marshes, especially at dawn and dusk.
Marsh Indicator
Their presence signals healthy, resilient marsh vegetation and tidal creek systems.
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
Unique Feeding
Lower bill skims water surface while flying
Night Feeding
Often feeds at dusk and night when water is calm
Beach Nesting
Creates simple scrapes in sand for nesting
Health Indicator
Sensitive to pollution and shoreline erosion
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Distinctive Crest
Sports a spiky black crest during breeding season
Colonial Nesters
Nest in dense groups, raising chicks communally
Diving Fishers
Plunge into water to catch small fish near the surface
Community Resilience
Group nesting behavior provides protection from predators
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
Broken Wing Act
Fakes injury to lure predators away from nest
Ground Nester
Creates simple scrape nests on open ground
Insect Control
Consumes harmful insects in coastal grasslands
Vocal Alarm
Named for their loud "kill-deer" call
Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Nocturnal Hunter
Primarily active at night hunting rodents
Distinctive Call
Hoots sound like "Who cooks for you?"
Swamp Dweller
Prefers hardwood swamps and hammocks
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

Hovering Hunter
Hovers like a helicopter before diving
Bank Nester
Digs tunnels in stream banks for nesting
Fish Specialist
Primarily catches small fish in streams
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
Smell Detection
Locates carrion using powerful sense of smell
Soaring Flight
Rides thermals with minimal wing flapping
Cleanup Crew
Consumes dead animals, preventing disease spread
Sun Basking
Spreads wings in morning sun to warm up and kill bacteria
Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)
Distinctive Spot
Known for the black spot near their tail that may help confuse predators.
Drumming Sound
Males produce drumming sounds during mating by vibrating muscles against their swim bladder.
Estuary Dweller
Thrives in shallow grass flats and estuaries, supporting recreational fishing.
Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)
Larval Stage
Born with eyes on both sides like typical fish
Metamorphosis
One eye migrates to join the other on top side
Bottom Dwelling
Lies flat on sandy or muddy bottoms, camouflaged
Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)
Named for their human-like teeth, sheepshead use their powerful dentition to crush barnacles and oysters, helping maintain balance in reef ecosystems.
Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
Color Changing
Can adjust their coloration to match surroundings, from silver to dark green.
Grass Bed Habitat
Prefer seagrass meadows and tidal creeks where they hunt smaller fish.
Angler's Favorite
Highly sought after by recreational fishermen for their sporting fight and taste.
Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis)
Salinity Tolerant
Survives in wide range of salt concentrations
Low Oxygen Survivor
Thrives in conditions other fish cannot tolerate
Bird Food
Essential prey for wading birds and herons
4
4
Marsh Dweller
Inhabits shallow salt marsh pools
Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides)
6
Sharp Spines
Dorsal spines that give this fish its name
90%
Juvenile Survival
Percentage that use seagrass as nursery habitat
5
Years Lifespan
Average life expectancy in the wild
Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
Bay anchovies form massive schools that shimmer like silver clouds in open bay waters. As a foundation of the food chain, they support numerous predator species.
Striped Mullet (Mugil cephalus)
Bottom Feeders
Consume algae and detritus from bay bottom
Nutrient Recyclers
Process sediment, releasing nutrients back into water
Mysterious Leapers
Jump out of water for unknown reasons
Forage Fish
Important prey for larger predators
Mangrove Snapper (Lutjanus griseus)
Juvenile Habitat
Young snappers find protection among the complex root systems of mangroves, hiding from predators while they grow.
Adult Migration
As they mature, they move to deeper waters around structures like reefs and docks, but remain connected to estuarine systems.
Fishery Value
Their excellent taste and fighting ability make them popular targets for both commercial and recreational fisheries.
Needlefish (Strongylura marina)
Elongated Jaws
Long, needle-like bills used for catching small fish
Surface Swimmers
Primarily swim near the water's surface
Population Balance
Help control numbers of smaller fish species
Seagrass Hunters
Often found hunting above seagrass beds
Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus)
How do tarpon breathe in stagnant water?
Tarpon have a modified swim bladder that functions like a primitive lung, allowing them to gulp air at the surface when oxygen levels in the water are low.
Why are they called "silver kings"?
Their large, silver scales reflect light brilliantly, giving them a majestic appearance, especially when they leap from the water during fights with anglers.
How do they benefit the bay ecosystem?
As a trophy sportfish, they attract eco-tourism that supports conservation efforts. Their presence indicates healthy backwaters and tidal marshes.
Atlantic Stingray (Hypanus sabinus)
Black Drum (Pogonias cromis)
1
Juvenile
Small fish with distinctive vertical stripes
2
Young Adult
Stripes fade as fish grows larger
3
Mature Adult
Can reach over 90 pounds, solid gray coloration
4
Elder
May live more than 40 years, shaping benthic communities
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Tool User
Alligators place sticks on their snouts to lure nesting birds—one of few reptiles known to use tools.
Ecosystem Engineer
Their "gator holes" provide critical water sources during droughts, supporting many species.
Apex Predator
As top predators, they shape wetland ecosystems and maintain population balance.
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
Green Camouflage
Blends with leaves when feeling secure
2
2
Brown Adaptation
Changes to brown when stressed or on bark
Insect Hunter
Consumes mosquitoes and other pests
Backyard Friend
Common around homes and gardens
Gulf Coast Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina major)
Unique Shell Pattern
Each turtle's shell has distinctive markings like a fingerprint.
Seed Disperser
Spreads plant seeds through their droppings as they travel.
Hinged Shell
Can completely close their shell for protection from predators.
Moisture Lover
Prefers damp forest floors near freshwater sources.
Southern Toad (Anaxyrus terrestris)

Toxin Defense
Secretes mild toxin from parotoid glands
Pest Controller
Consumes large quantities of insects
Garden Friend
Benefits gardens by eating harmful pests
Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

2

3

White Display
Shows white mouth lining as warning display
2
Aquatic Hunter
Excellent swimmer that hunts in and around water
3
Ecosystem Balance
Controls rodent and fish populations in wetlands
Peninsula Cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis)
Sun Lover
These turtles are frequently seen basking on logs and rocks, absorbing warmth and UV rays essential for their health.
Algae Grazer
As primarily herbivorous turtles, they consume algae and aquatic plants, helping maintain water clarity in freshwater systems.
Shell Pattern
Their carapace features yellow stripes on a dark background, while their plastron (bottom shell) is typically yellow with dark seams.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
The Eastern Diamondback is North America's largest venomous snake, playing a crucial role in controlling rodent populations in pine flatwoods and coastal scrub habitats.
Pig Frog (Lithobates grylio)
Pig-like Grunt
Makes distinctive grunting calls that sound like pigs
Aquatic Lifestyle
Spends most of its life in water rather than on land
Mosquito Control
Consumes large quantities of mosquitoes and their larvae
Large Size
One of the largest frogs in the southeastern United States
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)
Nesting
Females return to natal beaches to lay eggs in sandy nests
Hatchling Journey
Tiny hatchlings navigate to the ocean using light cues
Magnetic Navigation
Use Earth's magnetic field to navigate ocean waters
Jellyfish Control
Adults primarily consume jellyfish, maintaining ocean balance
Green Treefrog (Dryophytes cinereus)
With calls that sound like cowbells on summer nights, these vibrant amphibians are sensitive to pollution and serve as important indicator species for environmental health.
Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
Legless Lizard
Despite appearing snake-like, it's actually a lizard with ear openings and movable eyelids.
Fragile Defense
Can break off its tail when threatened, which continues to wiggle as a distraction.
Sandy Habitat
Prefers coastal sandy habitats where it hunts insects and helps balance soil ecosystems.
Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox)
Snorkel Nose
Elongated nose acts like a snorkel when buried
2
Leathery Shell
Flexible, pancake-flat shell unlike hard-shelled turtles
Bottom Cleaner
Scavenges dead material from river and pond bottoms
Swift Swimmer
Extremely fast and agile in water
American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
2,000
Florida Population
Approximate number remaining in Florida
70
Years Lifespan
Can live up to seven decades in the wild
15
Feet Length
Maximum size of adult males
Unlike alligators, American crocodiles tolerate saltwater and have distinctive V-shaped snouts. These rare apex predators are sensitive to water quality and serve as indicators of healthy coastal estuaries.
Conservation Efforts
Florida's unique ecosystems face mounting threats from development, pollution, and climate change. Local initiatives are making a difference through coordinated action.
Habitat Restoration
Native planting initiatives rebuild crucial ecosystem connections for wildlife corridors.
Legal Protection
Endangered species designations provide critical safeguards against further population decline.
Community Science
Volunteer monitoring programs track population health and migration patterns.
Education
Public awareness campaigns inspire future generations of environmental stewards.
🦦 Project Lead
Doug Liles
Founder & Chief Educator, GoodSAM Institute
Director of Emmett Otter’s Save Our Bay Initiative
📍 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
📬 Contact Information
  • Phone: (850) 622-8150
🌐 Program Overview
Emmett Otter’s Save Our Bay is a nature education and outreach initiative promoting wildlife awareness, stewardship, and science literacy through a family-friendly, card-based curriculum and digital storytelling.
🧩 Partner With Us
Seeking:
  • Environmental educators
  • Schools & nature centers
  • Municipal sustainability programs
  • Grant partners and coastal conservation allies
Together, we can teach the next generation to love, learn, and protect our waters.