Take a walk on the wild side?

OK, so perhaps you've been to Florida before, done the theme parks, so what else is there? A surprising amount that you probably never even heard of before!

If you like wildlife, there's a whole heap of it in Florida. Probably some of it is right outside your vacation home backyard that you haven't even noticed!

Majestic herons and cranes, small egrets, bald eagles (yes, really!) along with other types of eagles, vultures, racoons, armadillos, all types of frogs, geckos, fish, some snakes perhaps along with a few alligators (if you're really lucky).

State Parks aren't that far away and make a great day out. http://www.floridastateparks.org/

Silver Springs – for a great day out too, it’s the largest artesian spring in the world! Try the glass bottom boat tour, the wilderness trail ride, picnic areas http://www.silversprings.com/

Gatorland - catch the Jumperoo, take a ride on the train, watch some gator wrestling or even eat some gator nuggets! http://www.gatorland.com

Disney Wilderness Preserve - take the buggy ride on Sundays with knowledgeable guides or just explore on your own, take a walk, have a picnic http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/florida/preserves/art5523.html

Reedy Creek Nature Reserve - take a walk along the boardwalks and see what you can spot! Open to the public at weekends. Located on South Poinciana Boulevard (take Poinciana Boulevard from Highway 192), go straight and it’s on your right.

Green Meadows Petting Farm - great for small kids who live in the City http://www.greenmeadowsfarm.com/

Boggy Creek Airboats - wildlife and thrills, they even do a night ride if you're brave enough! Two locations at Southport (on S Poinciana Boulevard) or East Lake Toho (off Highway 192 through St Cloud)

Reptile World Serpentarium - now this is something you don't get to see every day - a whole mess of snakes! Big ones, small ones, dangerous ones and even pretty ones!

If you time it right, you can even get to see a venom collection demonstration. Located on Highway 192, just through St Cloud and on the left side.

In fact a whole host of things that you might like to try. There are lots of 'critters' to spot in Florida so, if you like wildlife, don't forget to take your binoculars!

Don't forget that the wildlife is just that - wild

The wild creatures are not pets or tame

Please follow these rules (and make sure your kids understand them too):

Don’t chase it!

Don’t try to catch it!

Don’t go near it!

and, most important of all, DON'T FEED IT or leave any food outside!

Not only is feeding wildlife forbidden by Florida law but also it can be DANGEROUS

Human food isn't suitable for wildlife and may harm or even kill it!

If creatures get used to receiving food from humans, they may see humans as a source of food!

This means that they may be tempted to come too close to humans or homes looking for food... that may mean DANGER for your and your family!