Secrets of the Everglades

Date: June 1, 2016

Location: Everglades, Florida 

Today our group of tropical ospreys stumbled off of the plane from Atlantic City, NJ in Fort Lauderdale, FL. After we collected our bags we hit the road and we were off to the Everglades which do not occur anywhere else in the world! It is a unique 1.5 million acre habitat in southern Florida but it unfortunately has been decreasing in size because of human impact. We have altered the natural water flow that occurs at the everglades in order for development and agriculture. It is the balance of the environmental factors such as water, fire and elevation that drives this ecosystem and without this balance it cannot be sustained. I am going to share with you a few secrets to this rare habitat. 

Secret #1: It is HOT and HUMID! – Make sure you apply sunscreen before you even leave your car to be sure you avoid getting red and blistered, that is just what you need your first day here. What is even more important than putting it on in the car is REAPPLYING! You’re going to be sweating it right off so make sure you don’t forget to put more on.

Secret #2: Buzzzzzzzzz – That’s right, bugs. Lots of bugs and if it isn’t a particularly breezy day then they are going to be bad. Make sure you have packed your bug spray and try to avoid putting on perfume because that will also attract the mosquitos! They bugs also seem to be a bit larger than the ones we are used to in New Jersey.

Secret #3:  Both alligators and crocodiles occur together here so make sure you are on the lookout for an awesome wildlife find. Surprisingly you actually have to be more careful of the water snakes that are around rather than the crocs and gators.

Secret #4: Although water does play a very important role in the formation of the everglades it is essential that there are controlled burns as well. Certain species cannot thrive and grow if a fire doesn’t come through.

Secret #5: The cypress domes are actually depressions in the ground or the limestone and fish and crocodiles can be found here because of the excess water and nutrients. The tallest cypress trees are found in the deepest waters because the acid from their decaying leaves erodes the limestone. 

Want to know more about the fires and how something so destructive can help an ecosystem? Click here.

Not sure what the difference is between an alligator and a crocodile? Check out this website for a better understanding.