It wasn’t until 1947, when Marjory Stoneham Douglas published “The Everglades: River of Grass,” that people began to recognize that the Everglades ecosystem was in trouble. The Florida Everglades are 1.5 million acre wetlands filled with hundreds of animal species. However, it is still listed as threatened. There are 347 species of birds recorded within the boundaries of the Everglades National Park. The American Crocodile inhabits the southern half of Florida covered by the Everglades National Park. Wood storks favor marshy and swampy areas with cypress trees. Many of the biological controls such as weather, disease, and consumers who naturally limit plants in their native environments do not exist in the Everglades, causing many to grow larger and multiply far beyond their average numbers in their native habitats. Pets are allowed on a 6-foot (2-meter) leash in parking lots and campgrounds, but not on trails or in wilderness areas. The American alligator is regarded as a “keystone” species in the Everglades. Saw Palmetto is a long living plant endemic to the Everglades. It is an official state reptile of Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Sea level rise threatens homes and real estate. White-tailed deer can be found from southern Canada to South America. Back when the Everglades was established, in 1947, the idea of creating a park to protect plants and animals may have seemed revolutionary, but today, that habitat still has a lot to offer people. Recognized by its characteristic fan palm and spikey shrubs, this plant creates the backdrop for much of the region, yet only grows to a maximum of seven to ten feet. Reservations are Required Feel free to call us 24/7 with any questions and concerns you may have. Males are typically heavier than females, weighing up to 7.3 pounds. To view alligators and other freshwater wildlife, one will have to access the Shark Valley or Eco Pond. Airboats are the best vehicles for exploring the Everglades. Animals in the Everglades. What can you expect to see in the Everglades? Critically endangered species, it’s unlikely either of these two animals will cross your path, but it’s fun to know they may be watching your every move. Sign-up to receive Park News, Special Event Info, Exclusive Discount Offers and more... 954-434-8111 The students will use their knowledge and imagination to vocally and/or physically imitate wildlife of the Everglades. Grab your camera and get ready for an unforgettable adventure as you come face-to-face with some of the most interesting sights in North America. Data & Privacy Policy   Refund Policy, EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK ® 2020 - FLORIDA'S MOST EXCITING NATURAL ATTRACTION, Ways to Write Off Your Next Vacation to Florida, The Burmese Python Challenge "2020 Python Bowl", Start 2020 Off Right by Touring the Everglades, Python Hunter Donna Kalil Helps Maintain the Everglades. However, visitors are advised to respect wildlife and wildlife habitats. Despite the large size, the American crocodile does not attack large mammals but rather feed on fish, reptiles, and small mammals. Palmetto is long living, and some plants may be as old as seven hundred years! Thirty-nine native orchid species occur in the park, in addition to about 750 other kinds of native seed-bearing plants. Living large is what the park is all about. 954-434-8111 The Redwood is extremely large and extremely tall. Lesson 2: The Everglades-Florida’s Treasure. These opportunistic creatures will also live wherever they can, including a hole in a tree or someone’s attic. If it’s been awhile since you connected with nature and you’re overdue for some R&R, an invigorating boat ride may be just the right solution. The State of Florida has identified that approximately 23% of the plant species here are at risk – about 164 different species. Approximately 26 percent of all fish, reptiles, birds, and mammal species in South Florida are exotic—more than in any other part of the U.S.—and the … The buggy ride was fun as was the airboat ride. Some of these species act as a major tourist attraction as they can only be found within the Everglades and nowhere else. 954-434-8111 On an Everglades tour in Fort Lauderdale, you may run across some of these problematic non-native plants. ','e','v','e','c','l','@','<','a','y','r','a',' ','e','e','l','c','s','o','k'];var mxcxmds = [44,64,10,46,59,83,11,42,81,62,28,25,82,56,5,17,54,31,52,40,60,77,18,68,45,34,72,70,84,50,69,35,33,73,78,29,30,61,8,4,32,26,6,65,19,0,38,87,24,47,43,1,80,3,91,15,94,7,93,66,51,53,12,71,27,9,16,57,39,63,13,58,55,74,95,90,88,75,22,23,48,79,20,92,85,37,86,36,2,67,21,49,89,76,14,41];var gknosir= new Array();for(var i=0;i