Big Pine Key could as easily be called Little Deer Key. After all, the roughly 10-square-mile island, 30 miles east of Key West in Florida is known for being home to North America’s smallest deer species, the Key deer, which live here and on several other surrounding islands.

For many visitors making their way through the Florida Keys from Miami to Key West, it’s enough to make a very quick detour off the Overseas Highway to check a Key deer–sighting off the list. Those travelers are missing out, though, because taking the time to get out of the car to wander trails and explore the unique flora and fauna of the deer’s habitat will leave you with a deeper appreciation of this unique dot on the map.