Four large alligators bask on the bank of this still-water pond near NASA Kennedy Space Center.

Four large alligators bask on the bank of this still-water pond near NASA Kennedy Space Center. The area is north of the Launch Complex 39 Area and art of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which shares a boundary with the center. The wildlife refuge is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fishes and 65 amphibians and reptiles. In addition, the Refuge supports 19 endangered or threatened wildlife species on Federal or State lists, more than any other single refuge in the U.S.