Additional Information for Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park

Plant Life

North Key Largo is best known for its botanical attributes. The diversity of trees per acre is as high as it is anywhere in the United States, and over 80 species are found in the park, more tree species than many states can claim.

The park contains the largest remaining fragments of rockland hammock in the continental United States. Once a dominant habitat type in the Florida Keys and southern tip of Florida’s peninsula, this West Indian plant community was originally established largely by migratory birds. Northbound migrant songbirds, having fed on the fruits of trees and shrubs in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, often carry seeds in their digestive tract.

Wildlife

Wildlife observation is also outstanding at the park. Northbound in April, and especially while southbound in October, migratory birds are funneled into the Keys by the landform. Many tropical species are resident here, including the white-crowned pigeon, mangrove cuckoo and black-whiskered vireo. Tropical vagrants such as the thick-billed vireo and La Sagra’s flycatcher are frequently reported in the park.

Butterfly-watching has rapidly grown in popularity since the mid-1990s; the park features an incredible diversity of species including the Schaus swallowtail, silver-banded hairstreak, and both hammock and mangrove skippers. Rare tree snails feed on the lichens and bark of the tropical trees, and can be easily observed by park visitors.

Pets

Pets are allowed only in the day-use areas. Pets must be kept on a six (6') foot leash at all times. For more information, see the Official Pet Policy

Please see our General Parks Pet Policy for more information.

Links

Florida Division of Recreation and Parks neither endorses links nor approves of links to external sources. External links are made available to assist the Internet user in his or her search. The Florida Division of Recreation and Parks takes no responsibility a link's operation or content. The links that are shown are not an exclusive listing of organizations available within the State.

• Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
• Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
• Everglades National Park
• Biscayne Bay National Park
• The Nature Conservancy - Florida
• Florida FWCC Boating Safety
• National Hurricane Center
• Monroe County Tourist Development Council
• Paradise Paddlers Club
• Florida Keys History
• Natives (plants) For Your Neighborhood