Canaveral National Seashore - Estuary Paddling

As you travel the canoe trail in Mosquito Lagoon estuary, consider that you are taking a quiet ride through an area that is considered to be the Cradle to the Ocean, treat it gently. Estuaries occur in areas where fresh water meets and mixes with salty ocean waters. You may not see it, but this estuary is full of life. Many of the fish, shrimp, clams and oysters spend part or all of their lives in this estuary. The shallow waters, salt marshes, sea grasses and mangrove roots provide excellent hiding places from larger predators. Some species grow in estuaries for a short time; others remain there for life.

Sea turtles spend their adolescent years, growing up in the lagoon. Manatees come to eat the tender grasses that grow on the lagoon's floor. Birds nest in the mangrove trees. Dolphin feed on the schools of fish that are here. Many marine and land animals depend on the lagoon for food, shelter, breeding and nesting.