On our Facebook page, you may have seen a post about the beautiful and unique snail kite that calls the Everglades home. Snail kites feast on the apple snails that live in the Everglades and are an important component to the ecosystem. Unfortunately, the number of snail kites in the Everglades had been dwindling to dangerously low levels. With floods raising water levels too high and droughts lowering water more than usual, snail kites experienced a loss of habitable land and were forced to find other homes, with the population dropping below 800 in 2008.
However, conservationists and researchers have witnessed a new growth in the population, tallying about 1,200 snail kites in the region in 2013 and seeing consistent numbers throughout this year so far. As with wood storks, the health of the snail kite population is a good indicator of the health of the Everglades as a whole. Since apple snails lay their eggs very near the water line, both droughts and floods have significant effects on the snail kite’s primary source of nourishment and, subsequently, their chances of survival. A return to health for snail kites indicates that the waterways of the Everglades are functioning properly and free from heavy-handed manmade manipulation.
Interestingly enough, the snail kite’s return to health is partially attributable to the appearance of a new invasive species. While we generally hear of the non-native pythons and tegu lizards harming the delicate balance of the Everglades, the introduction of the Brazilian island apple snail--which is much larger in size than the native snail--has provided a great food source for the snail kite. Though the release of animals used in aquariums is never a wise or advisable practice, there is a chance that the increasing numbers of kites could help keep this particular species under control.
Every animal in the Everglades, whether it is as large as an alligator or as small as a mosquito, plays an important role in the health and survival of the system. One of the best ways to learn more about the ecology of the Everglades is to experience it firsthand. For an exciting and eye-opening Everglades airboat tour, call Wild Florida at (866) 532-7167. Do you know of any other endangered Everglades species making a comeback? Start the discussion on our Facebook page!
