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Everglades National Park
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Wildlife - Everglades National Park
Birds: Over 370 species of birds have been recorded in the Everglades. Since the earliest recorded history, great flocks of migrating birds have called the Everglades home. The vast saw grass prairie or 'river of grass' is a lifeline to migratory species who nest here during the dry season, feeding and raising their young.
It is amazing to think that in the early 1900's, the Everglades bird population was nearly wiped out. Due to a boom in the 'plumage' industry, birds were slaughtered by the thousands for their feathers. Close to 95% of all wading birds in south Florida were exterminated. Then in 1947, Everglades National Park was established with a specific mandate to protect the flora and fauna of this sub-tropical wilderness. Due to intense conservation efforts, the bird population has rebounded and the Everglades have become a birders paradise. There are few places on earth where one can find the most diverse concentration of bird species in one area.
Common wading birds include the Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Snowy Egret, Woodstork, Anhinga, Great Egret, Roseate Spoonbill and many more.
Raptors can also be seen in the Everglade including the Bald Eagle, Osprey and Turkey Vulture
Mammals: Over 40 species of mammals have been recorded in the Everglades. Due to the semi-aquatic nature of the park, mammals have had to adapt to their surroundings. White tailed deer wade in the saw grass marl prairie, Black Bears need to be cautious of predatory alligators and the Florida Panther steers clear of the coral snake. The Everglades boasts 9 distinct ecosystems and the park's mammals tend to gravitate to the habitat to which they're best suited. The Florida Panther prefers the dry land of the pinelands ecosystem, the Black Bear is mostly found within the mangroves of the southwest Everglades and the River Otter stays close to the hardwood hammocks and saw grass prairie.
Reptiles: Over 50 distinct reptiles have been recorded in the Everglades. When people think of the Everglades, their first thought is not of a panther or black bear, but of reptiles. The Everglades are synonymous with alligators, snakes, turtles and frogs and the reptile population is what put the Everglades on the map. In addition to the American Alligator, the southern section of the Everlades also plays home to the American Crocodile, making this one of the few places on Earth where the two species intermingle.
The Everglades has 4 species of poisonous snakes; the Coral Snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake and the Cottonmouth. Snake sightings are rare, and snake bites are even rarer. If you are bitten, seek immediate help. If you see a snake, let it be and do not provoke it.
Fish: There are over 30 native species of freshwater fish in the Everglades. Fish provide a crucial link in the Everglades food chain. They are the main source of food for larger fish, alligators, wading birds and even the park's mammals. In addition to providing food for larger predators, freshwater fish also control the insect population. During the wet season, when insects are out in droves, the fish population will swell in kind, providing a natural biological balance.
The most common freshwater fish in the Everglades is the Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). True to its name, when water levels begin to rise, the Mosquitofish begins to breed quickly in order to capitalize on all the mosquitoes being hatched.
Other interesting freshwater species include the Florida Gar Fish, a long silvery predator that can exceed 3? in length. With its long jaws and sharp visible teeth, the Florida Gar can resemble an alligator at quick glance.
An unusual feature of the Gar fish concerns its breathing. Unlike regular fish, the Gar fish breathes air in through its 'nose' and mouth. This is in addition to regular gill breathing, of which the Gar is capable. The Gar goes to the surface, takes in air and then processes the oxygen through a specialized air bladder. This air breathing enables Gar to live in murky or polluted waters with less oxygen content.
One other notable fish is the Everglades Bass. We mention the bass for several reasons, not the least of which is its dangerously high Mercury content. The Everglades is a world class fishing destination and bass is the most common catch.
PRECAUTION: The park recommends that bass caught north of the main park road should NOT be eaten. DO NOT eat bass caught south of the main park road more than once a week. Pregnant women and children should not eat any bass caught anywhere in the park.
It is amazing to think that in the early 1900's, the Everglades bird population was nearly wiped out. Due to a boom in the 'plumage' industry, birds were slaughtered by the thousands for their feathers. Close to 95% of all wading birds in south Florida were exterminated. Then in 1947, Everglades National Park was established with a specific mandate to protect the flora and fauna of this sub-tropical wilderness. Due to intense conservation efforts, the bird population has rebounded and the Everglades have become a birders paradise. There are few places on earth where one can find the most diverse concentration of bird species in one area.
Common wading birds include the Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, White Ibis, Snowy Egret, Woodstork, Anhinga, Great Egret, Roseate Spoonbill and many more.
Raptors can also be seen in the Everglade including the Bald Eagle, Osprey and Turkey Vulture
Mammals: Over 40 species of mammals have been recorded in the Everglades. Due to the semi-aquatic nature of the park, mammals have had to adapt to their surroundings. White tailed deer wade in the saw grass marl prairie, Black Bears need to be cautious of predatory alligators and the Florida Panther steers clear of the coral snake. The Everglades boasts 9 distinct ecosystems and the park's mammals tend to gravitate to the habitat to which they're best suited. The Florida Panther prefers the dry land of the pinelands ecosystem, the Black Bear is mostly found within the mangroves of the southwest Everglades and the River Otter stays close to the hardwood hammocks and saw grass prairie.
Reptiles: Over 50 distinct reptiles have been recorded in the Everglades. When people think of the Everglades, their first thought is not of a panther or black bear, but of reptiles. The Everglades are synonymous with alligators, snakes, turtles and frogs and the reptile population is what put the Everglades on the map. In addition to the American Alligator, the southern section of the Everlades also plays home to the American Crocodile, making this one of the few places on Earth where the two species intermingle.
The Everglades has 4 species of poisonous snakes; the Coral Snake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake and the Cottonmouth. Snake sightings are rare, and snake bites are even rarer. If you are bitten, seek immediate help. If you see a snake, let it be and do not provoke it.
Fish: There are over 30 native species of freshwater fish in the Everglades. Fish provide a crucial link in the Everglades food chain. They are the main source of food for larger fish, alligators, wading birds and even the park's mammals. In addition to providing food for larger predators, freshwater fish also control the insect population. During the wet season, when insects are out in droves, the fish population will swell in kind, providing a natural biological balance.
The most common freshwater fish in the Everglades is the Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). True to its name, when water levels begin to rise, the Mosquitofish begins to breed quickly in order to capitalize on all the mosquitoes being hatched.
Other interesting freshwater species include the Florida Gar Fish, a long silvery predator that can exceed 3? in length. With its long jaws and sharp visible teeth, the Florida Gar can resemble an alligator at quick glance.
An unusual feature of the Gar fish concerns its breathing. Unlike regular fish, the Gar fish breathes air in through its 'nose' and mouth. This is in addition to regular gill breathing, of which the Gar is capable. The Gar goes to the surface, takes in air and then processes the oxygen through a specialized air bladder. This air breathing enables Gar to live in murky or polluted waters with less oxygen content.
One other notable fish is the Everglades Bass. We mention the bass for several reasons, not the least of which is its dangerously high Mercury content. The Everglades is a world class fishing destination and bass is the most common catch.
PRECAUTION: The park recommends that bass caught north of the main park road should NOT be eaten. DO NOT eat bass caught south of the main park road more than once a week. Pregnant women and children should not eat any bass caught anywhere in the park.
