Key Deer at the Blue Hole

 Located on Big Pine Key, the Blue Hole is definitely worth a stop. Once a rock quarry that was used during the construction of Henry Flagler's railway, now it is the largest body of fresh water in the Keys. And one of the few places in the Keys where you might spot an alligator.

We didn't spy any reptiles on our last stop, but we did see of one of the Florida Keys' neatest animals, the Key deer. Since the Keys is the only place you'll see this sub-species of deer it's worth seeking them out while you're traveling through.
 Key deer are unique because of their small size. Bucks range from 28 to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 80 pounds, does range from 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh an average of 65 pounds. Key deer are considered a sub-species of the American Whitetail and though no one knows for sure, it is believed that the deer migrated down into the Keys over a land bridge during the Wisconsin Glacier. When the glacier melted the land bridge disappeared and the Key deer adapted to their environment.

The first written record of Key deer is in the writing of a Spanish sailor Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda who was shipped wrecked and captured by Native Americans in the Keys in 1550.

The deer were heavily hunted until the practice was banned in 1939, but the population continued to decline, due to poaching and the destruction of their habitat, until the 1950's where it became nearly extinct. The National Key Deer Refuge was established in 1953. This habitat consists of over 8500 acres on Big Pine, No Name Key and several smaller uninhabited Keys.  The Key deer also became one of the first animals to be protected by the Endangered Species act in 1973.  The population, still endangered, is now estimated between 300 and 800, and though the deer seem to be thriving at this time there is still great concern for the future of these animals due to continued development and increased traffic down Route One. About one half of today's Key deer fatalities are due to car strikes. 

The abundance of fresh water makes the blue hole a great place to spot a Key deer, so drive slowly on over and check it out. Don't forget, there are many other types of wildlife to see as well... fish, birds, turtles, and yes alligators!

Stop and enjoy the Blue Hole, you'll be glad you did. 

Click this link for a great panoramic view of the Blue hole:  

http://360floridakeys.com/things-to-see-and-do/mm30-blue-hole/

Sources:  http://floridakeystreasures.com/creatures/keydeer/keydeer1.shtml; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_deer