Southern Swamps

The 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.

Showing 6 – 9 of 9 Results

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Florida Gar Lepisosteus platyrhincus Biome: Southern Swamps Classification: Fish Biography: The Florida gar is a long slender predatory fish with sharp teeth and an armor of hard diamond-shaped scales. Resembling a floating stick, a gar often drifts motionless among aquatic plants near the water's surface. Like all gars, the Florida gar has an air bladder that... More >

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Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus Biome: Southern Swamps Classification: Reptiles Biography: These large tortoises, usually 6 to 9 1/2 inches in diameter, are found in sandy coastal plain regions from South Carolina, all of Florida, to eastern Louisiana. They have stumpy, elephant-like feet and eat grasses, vegetables and fruits. An accomplished burrower, their... More >

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Red Rat Snake Elaphe guttata guttata Biome: Southern Swamps Classification: Reptiles Biography: The Red Rat snake of the south is also called the Corn Snake. These snakes are excellent climbers, and are often found high in trees searching for nesting birds. Their common name originated when farmers would see them around their corncribs and silos. They are easily... More >

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Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja Biome: Southern Swamps Classification: Birds Biography: These beautiful wading birds are adapted to life in a warm, wet habitat, like the Everglades. Roseate spoonbills are the only pink birds native to North America, for American flamingos are found here only as straggling migrants or escapees from zoos and parks. The necks... More >

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Showing 6 – 9 of 9 Results

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