It’s no secret that Naples, Florida is home to some incredible animals! When I came to Naples in 1997, I was really excited when I saw my first alligator in the wild but that was just scratching the surface. I’ve seen sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, armadillos, coyotes, a bear, a bobcat and even a Florida panther.
But, nothing could have prepared me for this…
I saw a spider eating a snake. You read that right.
There is a boardwalk at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary that goes for 2.25 miles and takes you through a variety of different ecosystems. While walking through the bald cypress forest, I came across this spider on the side of a tree, a little ways up from the water below. He had this snake in his grasp and was pulling it past his fangs bit by bit. It was such a lucky find and something I’ll never forget.
IMG_0084 from Chris Farrugia on Vimeo.
If you’re looking for a great activity that really is fun for all ages, it is worth the drive to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. You can walk the boardwalk on your own or take one of their guided tours.
Admission Pricing (as of 7/12/2022)
- General admission: $17
- Full-time college student (with valid school ID): $10
- Children 6 to 14: $6
- Children under six: FREE
- Friends of Corkscrew members: FREE
- Members of the US Military (with ID): $14
- National Audubon Members (with ID): $14
Getting to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
The sanctuary is located at 375 Sanctuary Rd W, Naples, FL 34120. It’s a straight shot east on Immokalee Road, past the fairgrounds and out a little ways from there.
More Information
If you’d like to read more about Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary before you visit, they have a very informative website.
