DISCOVERING EVERGLADES PLANTS AND ANIMALS (continued)
Reptiles and Amphibians
Everglades' most famous citizenthe
alligatoris looked for by all visitors to the park, who may,
however, be unaware that many other kinds of reptiles and a dozen
species of amphibians dwell here.
The American crocodile, less common than the
alligator and restricted to the Florida Bay region, is a shy and
secretive animal seen by few visitors. Similar in size and appearance to
the alligator, it is distinguished by a narrower snout and a lighter
color. Its habitat overlaps that of the alligator, which prefers fresh
or brackish water.
The turtles of the park include terrestrial,
fresh-water, and marine species. Box turtles are often seen along the
roads. The softshell and snapping turtles live in the fresh-water areas
and are often eaten by alligators. Loggerhead turtles nest on Cape Sable
beaches; otherwise they rarely come ashore. Their eggs are often
discovered and devoured by the abundant raccoons. But man has been
largely responsible for the loggerhead's increasing rarity.
Although the park has about two dozen species of
snakes, you may not encounter any of them. Most are harmlessseveral
species of snakes frequent the waterways, and it is a mistake to assume
that any water snake you see is a moccasin. Two worth watching for are
the rosy rat snake and the indigo snake, both handsome and entirely
harmless to man. The former is a constrictor, feeding mostly on rodents.
The indigo is one of our longest snakessometimes reaching more
than 100 inchesand is used in snake acts.
Ordinary caution and alertness when walking on trails
is advisable; but keep in mind that the snakes are not aggressive, and
that as part of the web of life in the park they are given protection
just as are birds and mammals.
Of those close relatives of snakes, the lizards, the
Florida anole is most commonly seen. This is the little reptile sold at
circuses as a "chameleon"; it is quite unlike the true chameleon of the
Old World. The so-called "glass snake"which got its name from its
defensive maneuver of dropping off its tail (which is longer than the
rest of its body) and from its snakelike appearanceis actually a
legless lizard. The lizards, like the smaller snakes, are primarily
insectivorous.
The park's amphibians, too, are quite inconspicuous.
The voices of frogs and toads during the breeding season, however, are
part of the Everglades atmosphere. You will enjoy the nocturnal serenade
at egg-laying timeand it is quite possible to learn to identify
species by their songs, which are as distinctive as those of birds.
The green treefrog, with its bell-like, repeated
"queenk-queenk-queenk" call, is abundant, and can be seen and heard
easily during the breeding season, particularly at Royal Palm Hammock
and on the Anhinga Trail.
The cold-blooded vertebrates, including fish,
amphibians, and reptiles, play a significant role in the balance of life
in the park, feeding upon each other and upon lesser animals and in turn
being food for larger predators such as herons, hawks, raccoons, and
otters.
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