Horizon West Regional Park’s animal life is surprisingly diverse, considering the habitat disruption caused by the real estate development that occurred at the turn of the century. Visitors hiking near the south trails occasionally see American alligators in the early morning and evening hours. Osceola wild turkey hens are often seen near the southeast parking area and surrounding acreage. They are rarely seen flying, but will readily do so when they feel like crossing to or from the county-owned prairie land north of Hamlin Groves Trail.
The park’s waterfowl is mostly found in the south ponds and Lake Hartley. Florida mottled ducks are often seen in the Lake Hartley shallows. Near the shallower ponds north of the main driveways, egrets and anhingas are the birds one normally sees.
Lake Hartley, the south pond, and possibly the west pond are naturally deep enough to support a permanent fish population. Near-term plans include a floating dock at the shore of Lake Hartley; it will be placed a few hundred feet south of the large picnic shelter/event pavilion, not far from the existing sidewalk.
The park hosts many species of birds. The large raptors include great horned owls, Florida red-tailed hawks, and North American ospreys. Songbirds are even more plentiful—the list of species includes cardinals, coastal bluejays, tufted titmice, chipping sparrows, red-headed woodpeckers, mourning doves, Florida bobwhite quail, and Carolina chickadees.
The park’ mammal population includes small numbers of opossums, Eastern raccoons, Eastern gray squirrels, and Eastern cottontail rabbits.
Among mammals, the local apex predators are southeastern coyotes, which migrated to central Florida in the 1990s. Unlike wolves—which thrive where large prey animals abound—coyotes are smaller, and will adapt their diet to what’s locally available. It’s probable that the park’s coyote pack was established before 2019; unlike the wild turkeys, coyotes can’t fly over the north fence. I’ve observed coyotes sneaking westward out of the park at night, into the adjoining Enclave at Hamlin neighborhood, but those that do are usually back in their dens by dawn.
Coyotes normally avoid crossing paths with park visitors during daylight hours. However, I once saw a young adult male barking loudly at my friend’s dog as though defending its territory. I no longer have a dog, so I lent assistance by chasing the juvenile coyote far away. Nonetheless, all dogs in the park should be kept on a leash for their own safety.
Horizon West Regional Park will host an ever-increasing number of visitors over the next couple of decades. This trend may put more pressure on coyotes and other predator species. If that happens, smaller mammals, such as squirrels and rabbits, will become more numerous.
There are just under 200 active gopher tortoise burrows in the park, mainly in open spaces, but the number of tortoises is lower—perhaps 100 to 120—because adult tortoises often use two burrows. Aside from the American alligators which prowl Lake Hartley, gopher tortoises are the largest reptile species in Horizon West, and the one most likely to be seen within the park during the warm season. Florida softshell turtles are occasionally spotted near the lake and the south ponds.
Gopher tortoises are shy, and are easily spooked. Visitors should avoid approaching them closely—and also avoid getting too close to the entrances of their burrows, since the entrances are vulnerable to collapsing underfoot in the sandy soil. This is the main reason the active burrows in the park are marked with red-painted stakes or red plastic flags.
The other reptiles one sometimes sees on a dirt trail are snakes. The ones I see crossing a path are usually Eastern racers, which are harmless. However, there are also Eastern coral snakes and a smaller number of Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.
The diamondbacks are the least numerous (In over 3 years of regular visits, I’ve only had one encounter), but they’re also the most dangerous: Diamondbacks do not always rattle when approached. On the day of my encounter, I took the risk of stepping off-trail, and nearly stepped on a coiled-up rattler! Luckily, it wasn’t perturbed. It was just waiting for its next meal to show up. Nevertheless, I hope not to see another one! Now I know why I see so few mice, squirrels, or rabbits at the park: They’re a favorite food source for diamondbacks. Many rodents are caught by owls and hawks as well.
Coral snakes, though venomous, won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. There hasn’t been a fatal coral snake bite in Florida for decades.
In any public natural space, visitors are safer if they use common sense: Stay on the trail, and dress properly when exploring unpaved trails (Hiking shoes, not flip-flops).
— Jerry Blank, www.jerryblank.com