Swamp Buggy Ride Through Babcock Eco-Farm
Jun 1st, 2009 by Susan Hilliard
The swamp buggy tour and nature encounter at the Babcock Eco-Farm is quite an adventure. This 2 1/2 hour tour takes you through the Babcock Ranch and Telegraph Cypress Swamp in a specially built swamp buggy.
Babcock ranch, or the Crescent B Ranch, sits on 90,000 + acres which is located in both Lee and Charlotte counties. This is part of the true Florida wilderness that’s left for all to enjoy.
The educational tour consists of natural history, Florida history, and history of the Babcock Ranch, as well as an education about the wild animals and reptiles found as residents of the ranch.
The tour yeilded wild hogs, white-tailed deers, wild turkeys, wild Florida cracker cattle (cows, heifers, calves, steers, and bulls), alligators, snakes, native birds, such as red shouldered hawk, cougars and so much more. It’s an adventure you and your family you won’t soon forgot.
There are four distinctly different ecosystems at the Babcock Eco-Farm — Babcock Ranch. They include the unspoiled piney flatlands, oak hammocks, a fresh water marsh and sections of the Telegraph Cypress Swamp. These types of areas are all part of the original Florida that is disappearing quickly but thankfully still being preserved at the Babcock Ranch and Eco-Farm.
The professional staff and tour guide were very knowledgeable giving commentaries on the wildlife, ranch activities such as cattle and horses, and history of the area.
The Babcock Museum also gives insight into the start of the ranch and activities over the years, including a movie made at the Ranch staring Sean Connery by Warner Brothers entitled “Just Cause”.
To plan you own adventure to the Babcock Eco Farm & Babcock Ranch here’s their details:
Babcock Wilderness Adventures
8000 State Road 31
Punta Gorda, Florida 33982
Reservations: 1-800-500-5583
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