Animals Of The Florida Everglades

The Everglades is a unique, fragile, complex ecosystem that comprises a vast network of tropical wetlands and forests and is located in the southern part of the US State of Florida. The Everglades National Park, which occupies an area of 6,106.6 km², is often considered the largest surviving subtropical wilderness in the contiguous United States.

The mosaic of important habitats that make up the Everglades National Park supports several significant floral and faunal species that are unique to the Everglades region and are found nowhere else on the planet. It has been estimated that about 39 threatened species, 300 fish species, 50 reptilian species, 360 avian species, and 40 mammalian species are found in the Everglades National Park. In addition to these, numerous insects and invertebrate fauna like mollusks, crustaceans, arachnids, centipedes, millipedes, are found here. Notable amphibians like the southern leopard frog and the American green tree frog have also been recorded in the Everglades.

The following article discusses the 10 iconic faunal species that are found in the Florida Everglades.

American Alligator

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are considered one of the largest reptilian species in the entire United States. They are commonly found in freshwater rivers, lakes, saltwater marshes, and swamps in the southeastern part of the United States. Adult American alligators feed on fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals while their hatchlings feed on the invertebrates. These alligators also act as “ecosystem engineers” by constructing alligator holes in the wetland ecosystems, which in turn help in providing suitable habitats for various other organisms. American Alligators are regarded as a keystone species in the Florida Everglades and have been listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. American Alligators are official “State Reptile” for the US States of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida.

American Crocodile

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a large crocodilian species that are widely distributed throughout Southern Florida (in the Everglades National Park), Mexico, as well as various Central and South American countries. They commonly inhabit freshwater rivers, brackish lakes, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and small islands. The eyes, ears, and nostrils of this crocodile species are placed on the top of their head, while the rest of the body remains concealed underwater for launching surprise attacks on its prey. American crocodiles feed on fish, birds, snakes, turtles, crabs, frogs, and small mammals like raccoons and opossums. American Crocodiles have been listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN.  

Florida Panther 

The Florida panther (Puma concolor cougar) represents the only breeding cougar population that is found in the eastern part of the United States. They are found in South Florida where they inhabit a wide range of habitats including freshwater swamp forests, hardwood hammocks, and pinelands. This large carnivore species feed on hares, white-tailed deer, waterfowl, feral pigs, storks, rodents, and American alligators. However, in recent times, the Florida panther faces many threats including predation and fragmentation of habitat. The Florida panther presently occupies only 5% of its original range and has therefore been listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN. The Florida Panther is the official state animal of the US State of Florida.

West Indian Manatee 

The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a large aquatic mammal that is commonly found in the shallow coastal areas of the southeastern United States. Currently, there are two subspecies of the West Indian Manatees, the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus). The West Indian Manatee is primarily a herbivorous species and generally feeds on seagrass and other aquatic plants. As of 2017, they have been classified as “Threatened” under the US Endangered Species Act. The West Indian Manatee has been listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN and its two subspecies as "Endangered."

White-Tailed Deer 

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is commonly found in the Florida Everglades along with various other countries in North, South, and Central America. They generally inhabit the tropical dry broad-leafed forests and mixed deciduous forests. White-tailed deer are herbivores and forage on plants, eating legumes, shoots, leaves, and grasses. The white-tailed deer are preyed upon by many predators like cougars, jaguars, American alligators, bobcats, black bears, and Canadian lynx. They have been listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN.

Tree Snail 

The little tree snail (Liguus fasciatus) is widely found throughout the Caribbean area including the southern part of Florida and the Everglades National Park. The tree snail mostly inhabits the tropical hardwood hammocks, shrubs, and tropical forests. The snail feeds on algae, fungi, and lichens which they usually scrap from the bark of their host plants.

Eastern Indigo Snake 

The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is a large non-venomous snake that is commonly found in the eastern part of the United States. This snake inhabits the tropical hardwood hammocks, cane fields, flatwoods, riparian thickets, and sandhill plant communities. The eastern indigo snake feeds on small animals like rodents, frogs, turtles, lizards, as well as small birds. This snake currently faces threats due to habitat loss and has been listed as a “federally threatened species” under the US Endangered Species Act. It is, however, listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN.

Wood Stork 

The wood stork (Mycteria americana) is a large wading bird that is found in tropical and subtropical wetland habitats. This avian species usually prefer to live in the marshy and swampy areas and build their nests in the cypress trees and in the mangrove forests. Wood storks feed on fishes, insects, crabs, and frogs. The wood stork faces severe threats due to predators, habitat alterations, and drought, and has been listed as “Threatened” under the US Endangered Species Act. It is, however, listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN.

Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow 

The Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammospiza maritima mirabilis) is a small bird that is endemic to the southern part of Florida where they are mainly found in the freshwater and brackish water habitats. The sparrow prefers to build their cup-shaped nests in the marl prairie communities that consist of muhly grasses. The largest population of this avian species is found in the Taylor Slough of the Florida Everglades and also in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The Cape Sable seaside sparrow is listed as “Endangered” under the US Endangered Species Act.  

Bald Eagle 

An iconic bird, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is quite widespread in the North American continent, including the entire United States and parts of Mexico and Canada. The bald eagle prefers wetlands, swamplands, and large open water bodies and built its nests in the mature hardwood, and cypress trees that surround these habitats. The bald eagle feeds on fishes and other smaller birds and mammals. It is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN and is regarded as the national bird of the United States.