Florida’s Everglades: Rich in Wildlife

The Everglades National Park in Florida boasts of not so glamours grassy waters and slow moving alligators. However; taking a second look you may find yourslef enjoying the unique characteristics this biodiverse environment has to offer.

“When people go to national parks, they expect to be blown away by the scenery, to be entertained by a canyon or a mountain,” said Brian Ettling, an Everglades National Park ranger. “We don’t have that here. But we have biodiversity. And that makes this a beautiful place all on its own.”

What first comes to mind are the dangers of the grass prairies and mangrove lined waterways but there are plenty of guided tours and organized ranger programs to make any amateur feels safe. Along the way, you’ll be able to witness some of the wetland’s 350 differnt bird species, 120 various types of trees and over a 1,000 kinds of plants.

“The park’s Gulf Coast Visitor Center, in the small fishing village of Everglades City, sits at the precipice of glistening Chokoloskee Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands area. This pristine region of mangroves and saltwater marshes and sandy keys is mostly reachable only by boat on the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway canoe and kayak trail,” says Beth Greenfield.

The Everglades is the only place in the world where crocodiles, which live in salt water, and alligators that live in frsh water live side by side. If you plan on venturing to this underestimated land remember that allgators have come to expect free handouts of bread that visitors often give.
By, Melissa Vitti