This area is home to many more residents than just those living in the homes of River Hills. Historically, Florida has been above and below water many times over the past 30 million years. In fact, this river contains an incredible amount of shark's teeth and other fossils.
Some of the earliest inhabitants to roam this land included no-hump camels, llamas, small horses, a large ferocious bird called the Titanis Walleri, saber-tooth tigers, mastodons, mammoths, and many others.
Of course, these animals no longer roam this area. They have been replaced by a rich variety of modern wildlife:
After a rain, when the mud starts to dry, is an excellent time to come out and look for animal tracks. Trail Photographer Mark Smith has shared many photos of wildlife taken along the Trails of River Hills.
Many people are concerned about the presence of such animals — as always, we should respect them and leave them alone. They traditionally avoid human contact, and even seeing them is a rare event.
The Animal Track Sign — hand-crafted by Trail Artisan Amanda Seeley — features a round wood-slice display asking "Whose tracks are these?" with flip-up answer panels covering tracks from the animals that call this preserve home.
All photos below were taken along the Trails of River Hills by Trail Photographer Mark Smith (PixelSmith). These are the animals you might spot on your hike — though sightings are always a rare and special treat.
🦌 White-tailed Deer
🦉 Birds
Barred Owl
A year-round resident of the River Hills preserve. Listen for its distinctive "Who cooks for you?" call echoing through the forest, especially at dusk.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Recognizable by its bright red-orange bill and striking black belly, this sociable duck is often spotted perched on branches along the Alafia River.
🦔 Other Wildlife
The nine-banded armadillo is a common but easily startled resident of the preserve. You're more likely to hear them rustling through leaf litter than to spot one. Photos: Mark Smith, PixelSmith.
This exhibit and all the amenities of the trail system are maintained by volunteers. Students can receive Bright Futures Service hours for helping. Follow trail events and contact the trail leaders at the Trails of River Hills Facebook page. Special thanks to Trail Artisan Amanda Seeley for help creating this exhibit.
