When you think of the Everglades, chances are that the first animals you picture are alligators, snakes, and insects. While the reptilian and insect populations of the Everglades are dense, as you’ll clearly see on a Wild Florida airboat ride, there are a wide variety of mammals that inhabit the area as well! All of these animals are important parts of the ecosystem; each one playing its role within the food chain.
Typically, there is only one type of rabbit to be found in the Everglades. The marsh rabbit, which has adapted to coastal prairies, pinelands, and freshwater marshes. It is one of very few rabbit species that can actually swim--you might see one scooting through shallow waters on an airboat ride! This cute little rodent is a member of the cottontail family and can be distinguished by its shorter, rounded ears and brownish tail.
The Everglades is also home to a special kind of white-tailed deer. While these deer are the same variety that you see throughout the rest of the Eastern U.S., they are much smaller in size since they do not require an extra layer of fat for winter protection. The fawns, or babies, are covered in white spots as camouflage from predators. Herbivorous, these deer love to munch on sawgrass.
The gray fox also calls the Everglades its home. These beautiful creatures are distinguishable from other fox breeds because they have the ability to climb trees; thus, they are frequently spotted near hardwood hammocks. Gray foxes make dens underground since they are nocturnal, allowing them to protect themselves and their offspring from the boiling Florida heat.
These are only a few examples of the mammals that reside in the Everglades. Altogether, there are over 40 different species of mammals within the area, including otters, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, and many more. Each mammal in the Everglades is important to maintaining the ecosystem’s balance, which is why invading carnivores like Burmese pythons pose such a threat.
Learn about the wildlife of the Everglades firsthand at Wild Florida! Take an airboat ride to see all creatures’ natural habitats, and follow up with a visit to our eco park to check out some exotic species. Book your tickets today by calling (866) 532-7167.
