Learn about the Everglades and its alligators, birds, mosquitoes, endangered species, geology and more.

PLANTS & ANIMALS Learn about: • Alligators • Birds • Mosquitoes • Other animals • Endangered species • Plants • Geological history Everglades Home

Alligators
Most people come to the Everglades in search of one specific animal: the alligator.

Birds
A great white heron spreads its wings and glides out across caramel-colored sawgrass. An anhinga catches a fish with its beak and shakes its head. In the Everglades, the birds rule the land and the sky.

What you need to know about Mosquitoes
The alligator is not the most vicious animal in the Everglades – it’s the mosquito. These pesky things will eat you alive, especially if you come in the summer. Bug repellant is a must.

Other animals
Alligators, birds and insects aren't the only animals that roam the Everglades. Teeming with life, this unique ecological preserve features a stunning array of diverse wildlife.

Endangered species
An endangered species is defined as a plant or animal, that, throughout all or a significant portion of its range, is in danger of extinction. Many species that call the Everglades home are also in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species list.

Geology
It's no surprise that South Florida used to be under water. Sometimes it seems as if we are still under water.