Additional Information for Peacock Springs State Park
Plant Life
In addition to the outstanding quality of the aquatic cave system, the upland area contains mature forest stands representing four major natural plant communities: xeric hammock, upland hardwood forest, bottomland forest and floodplain swamp. A canopy of sand live oak, laurel oak, pignut hickory and southern magnolia can also be found in the hammock. The upland forest is dominated by Florida maple, American holly and dogwood in addition to laurel oak and pignut hickory. The bottomland forest is known for mature second growth and old growth characterized by oak, water hickory, red maple, sweetgum, loblolly pine and cedar elm. An open canopy of bald cypress over a dense sub-canopy of pop ash, swamp privet and button ash characterizes the swamp.
Wildlife
Deer, bobcats, raccoon, squirrels, beaver and otters are widely observed. Along with turkey, blue heron and barred owls commonly seen in the park, the red-shouldered hawks are seen nesting each spring. The gopher tortoise and indigo snake have been documented within the park and the Sherman’s fox squirrel has been sighted just outside the park boundaries. The Suwannee cooter inhabits the spring run as well as alligator, largemouth bass, spotted sunfish and bluegill.
When seepage and the flow of subsurface streams causes the roof of underground caverns to dissolve and collapse, springs and sinks are formed. The thin mantle of sandy sediments covering the caverns are then eroded and carried off by the subsurface streams, forming a diverse landscape of sinks and depressions. The sinkholes and springs found here are in nearly pristine condition and are part of the most extensive underwater cave system known in Florida. It is also one of the longest underwater cave systems in the entire continental United States, with about 33,000 feet of passages having been explored and surveyed by cave divers.
The two major springs, Peacock and Bonnet, are third magnitude springs and are tributaries of the Suwannee River via Peacock Slough. In addition to the two major springs certified cave divers also use Orange Grove sink to enter the vast interconnected underwater cave system.
Resources
Peacock Springs State Park is an outstanding natural ecosystem containing elements of statewide and national significance. Excellent examples of hard surface and subsurface karst limestone features, including two major springs, a major spring run, six sinkholes and numerous small sinks and depressions, can be found in the 280 acre recreation area. The park has three separate cave systems comprising of over 38,000 feet of explored and surveyed passageways, available to cave divers.
Pets
Please see our General Parks Pet Policy for more information.
Links
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