Indian River
Lagoon
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Indian River |
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The Indian River Lagoon is North America’s most diverse estuary with more than 2,200 different species of animals and 2,100 species of plants. The Lagoon varies in width from ½ mile to 5 miles and averages only 3 feet in depth. It serves as a spawning and nursery ground for many different species of oceanic and lagoon fish and shellfish. The lagoon also has one of the most diverse bird populations anywhere in America. Nearly 1/3 of the nation’s manatee population lives here or migrates through the Lagoon seasonally. The Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin is a common sight in the lagoon. On going studies have identified at least 350 dolphins that live in the lagoon's waters. A plentiful food source and calm, protected waters, in comparison to the ocean, make the lagoon a desirable place for them to live.. In addition, its ocean beaches provide one of the densest sea turtle nesting areas found in the Western Hemisphere. |
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