Southern SwampsThe Florida Everglades, or "Grassy Waters" as it was called by the Native Americans, is a vast prairie of sawgrass. Within and surrounding this freshwater marsh are islands of hardwood trees called hammocks, palmetto pine scrub, cypress heads, and coastal mangroves, each a natural and distinct community in itself.
In this semi-tropical environment, there are annual wet and dry seasons, which shape the life cycles of the region's plants and animals.
 
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Alligator mississippiensis
Biome: Southern Swamps
Classification: Reptiles
Biography: American alligators are important members of their ecosystem, and are regarded as keystone species. Many animals are affected by their existence. Young alligators are prey for wading birds, turtles, snakes, mammals, and larger alligators. Alligators over 4' are at the top... More >
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Crocodylus acutus
Biome: Southern Swamps
Classification: Reptiles
Biography: Habitat destruction and unregulated hunting for skins led to a decline in the American crocodile population. Listed as an endangered species in 1975, habitat protection, environmental management, and education are contributing to a slow, but steady, recovery. American... More >
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Strix varia
Biome: Southern Swamps
Classification: Birds
Biography: A barred owl is the second largest owl in Pennsylvania, surpassed only by the great horned owl in size. It is easily recognized by its stocky body, large dark brown eyes, and the puffy round head with no ear tufts. The horizontal bars on the throat and upper breast, and... More >
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Sistrurus miliarius barbouri
Biome: Southern Swamps
Classification: Reptiles
Biography: Known as the "patient hunter of the pines", and
like most pit vipers, these small rattlers use the "sit and wait" method of hunting. In the wild, they have been observed in the same location for up to three weeks, patiently waiting for unsuspecting lizards, frogs, rodents... More >
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Crotalus adamanteus
Biome: Southern Swamps
Classification: Reptiles
Biography: This is the largest of all North American rattlesnakes and can reach lengths of 33-72 inches. It is found throughout the Everglades. These snakes hide beneath stumps and in holes in the ground during the day, coming out to feed on rabbits, mice, rats and birds at night. You... More >
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