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 water. 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. Dolphins feed on the schools of fish that are here. Many marine and land animals depend on the lagoon for food, shelter, breeding and nesting.
Red, Black and White mangroves thrive in the salty environment because they obtain fresh water from salt water. Many animals find shelter either in the roots or branches of mangroves. The Red Mangrove grows at the water's edge. Because of its root system it appears to be standing or walking on the surface of the water. The roots of the mangroves and marsh grasses hold the soil in place and keep the shoreline of Mosquito Lagoon from eroding.
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