Highly endangered, Key Deer are also referred to as “toy” deer because of their diminutive stature – somewhere around 2 feet tall — just a bit taller than my knees. In 1951 there were only 25 of these tiny deer left in the Lower Florida Keys, now the population has grown to over 1,000, but is still regarded as highly endangered. In 2014, 137 key deer were reported killed – most by road collisions which explains the 35 mph night speed limit through Big Pine Key. According to the National Wildlife Federation, they only live 3-6 years.
A young male growing his antlers.
From our visit to the National Key Deer Refuge, I’m guessing even 1000 of these cute little critters are pesky for local homeowners, nosing around trash cans and otherwise being pests. They eat primarily plants but they’ll happily make an exception and eat a handout from a tourist, which is dangerous for the deer. Please don’t feed the key deer, no matter how cute they may be.
We didn’t see any of the tiny deer in the main portion of the park on Big Pine Key, but across the bridge to No Name Key there were several adjacent park turnoffs. The highlight of the main refuge was the Blue Hole — see below for why.
The key deer are photogenic … and seem to enjoy posing …
“Toy” deer just outside the National Key Deer Refuge
Just look at those antlers!
Also in the National Key Deer Refuge is the “Blue Hole” — a pond left over from a 1950’s rock quarry that has the only two resident wild alligators in the Florida Keys. And luckily for us, they like hanging around the viewing deck at the end of a short trail to the Blue Hole. Reportedly, they also enjoy eating small white dogs, so if you’re lucky enough to have a small white dog, be sure to hang onto it!
Two resident alligators at the Blue Hole – the only alligators in the wild in the Florida Keys.
And once you’re done wandering thought the No Name Key portion of the National Key Deer Refuge, be sure to stop for a cold libation, or pizza, cuban sandwiches, all sorts of tempting food at the No Name Pub, just across the bridge returning from No Name Key. Reportedly Ernest Hemingway stopped here before a road existed to Key West – it was a ferry stop on the way. We can vouch for the food! And the inside is plastered with layers of dollar bills – over $200,000 according to our server!
No Name Pub … if you can see this, you found it!
See? You thought I was kidding?
$200,000 dollar bills line every surface inside the little No Name Pub!
Looking for somewhere to camp close by? We can highly recommend Bahia Honda State Park or the Big Pine Key Fishing Camp/RV/Lodge.
You’ll need reservations WELL in advance. Anywhere in the Florida Keys is not only expensive but also very popular (i.e. reserved) well in advance – sometimes as much as a year!
Cheers! Jan & David
