The Everglades is mystical place.; it’s so large, and so much lies within. How much do you actually know about the area? Could you answer basic questions about the most famous wetland? Many people know the Everglades is located in Florida, contain alligators, and that people take airboat rides throughout the area; however, there is […]
Turtles of the Everglades
While turtles may not be the most famous reptile that is found in the Everglades, they should certainly not be forgotten. There are over a dozen known species of turtles currently living in and around the Everglades today, and even a few species of tortoise and terrapin as well. Unfortunately, many of the turtle species […]
Peregrine Falcon
Though the peregrine falcon is certainly not exclusive to South Florida, the species is one of the Everglades’ greatest hunters. The name peregrine falcon literally means “wandering falcon”, and the species has up to nineteen listed subspecies, though one or two of these are currently up for scientific debate. They are members of the raptor […]
The Dangers of Red Tide
If you live in Florida, there is a good chance you are familiar with red tide – especially if you have been in Florida in the last decade or so, as three major red tides have occurred in recent years along the Gulf of Mexico coastline. This colorful phenomenon is not only highly noticeable when […]
How Do Sharks Survive in Freshwater?
Most people associate sharks with saltwater and the oceans, and rightly so. However, while saltwater environments are certainly where the great majority of shark species can be found, this is not to say that they are completely unable to survive in freshwater environments as well. In the United States alone, sharks have been spotted in […]
The Difference Between Centipedes and Millipedes
Of all the creepy crawlies that can be found in southern Florida, perhaps two of the most seen and hated are centipedes and millipedes. And while the two species are often discussed interchangeably, they are actually two very different types of arthropods – and the differences go far beyond just the number of legs that […]
Widows of the Everglades
The Florida Everglades is an area that is certainly not without its creepy crawlies, and one can never talk about the most fascinating, yet terrifying, creatures of the Everglades without mentioning some of the spiders that can be found there. Fortunately, of the hundreds, if not thousands, of species of spiders that can be found […]
How Do Hurricanes Affect Florida Wildlife?
Even though Hurricane Erika may have lost its steam before hitting southern Florida this past weekend, its the perfect time to think about how a hurricane might have affected the Florida Everglades, and more specifically the wildlife that can be found here. Usually following a hurricane, a large majority of the media coverage is centered […]
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
The red-bellied woodpecker may be one of the loudest species of birds that can be found in the Florida Everglades today. Like many of the species that can be found within the woodpecker family, this tiny, yet beautiful bird, was given the name “woodpecker” for a reason. They are true professionals when it comes to […]
Native Americans of the Florida Everglades
Humans have lived in Florida, in some form or another, for more than 15,000 years, though the snowbirds that can be found in the area today are far different than their ancestors who once hunted giant sloths and saber-toothed cats. It wasn’t until nearly 6,500 years ago that the Everglades became the lush, wet landscape […]