Big Mullet Key facts for kids
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Gulf of Mexico |
Coordinates | 24°34′45″N 81°55′08″W / 24.579028°N 81.918889°W |
Archipelago | Florida Keys |
Adjacent bodies of water | Florida Straits |
Administration | |
State | Florida |
County | Monroe |
Big Mullet Key is a cool island in the sunny Florida Keys. It is part of Monroe County, Florida, in the United States. This island is special because it is inside the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, a protected area for animals and nature.
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Discovering Big Mullet Key
Big Mullet Key is a small, uninhabited island. This means no people live there permanently. It is a natural place where wildlife can thrive without much human disturbance.
Where is This Island?
Big Mullet Key is found in a group of islands called the Florida Keys. It is one of the "Outlying Islands," which means it is a bit further out from the main chain.
Specifically, it is in the northern part of the Mule Keys. These islands are about 9 miles (15 kilometers) west of Key West. Key West is a famous city at the very end of the Florida Keys.
What is the Key West National Wildlife Refuge?
Big Mullet Key is part of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was created in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Its main goal is to protect birds and other wildlife.
The refuge helps protect many kinds of birds, including migratory birds that travel long distances. It also protects their habitats, like the beaches, mangroves, and waters around the islands.
Why are Islands Important?
Islands like Big Mullet Key are very important for nature. They provide safe places for animals to live, breed, and find food. They can be especially helpful for birds that need quiet spots away from people.
These islands also help protect the environment of the Gulf of Mexico. They are part of a larger ecosystem that includes coral reefs and seagrass beds. These natural areas are home to many different sea creatures.