Weeks Bay Reserve, Alabama

Fauna (Animal Life)

The reserve is a productive nursery for shrimp and other commercially important fish and shellfish, as well as many marine species, such as the spotted sea trout, red drum, croaker, flounder, mullet and menhaden. The reserve is home to more than 180 species of fish. Fish populations in the area include freshwater and marine species. The reserve is also home for three endangered fish species.

The reserve serves as habitat for over 330 species of birds, including 100 resident species, 125 wintering species and 85 spring and fall migrants. This area is of special importance to the large number of trans-Gulf migrants as a resting and feeding area.

The reserve is also home to more than 50 mammals, three of which are endangered (the Florida black bear, the marsh rabbit and the bayou gray squirrel), living within the 10 foot contour in the coastal zone of Alabama, with most found in the Weeks Bay area. Other residents include over 70 species of reptiles (eight endangered) and 40 species of amphibians (two endangered).