Native and Invasive Species in the Everglades

The Everglades is packed with animal species, good and “bad.” Unfortunately, there are a lot of invasive species roaming the Everglades who are harming the native species and disrupting that natural order of things.

There are seemingly endless species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and mammals in the Everglades with so much information to share on them. But for this article, we wanted to share just a few basic facts about the native and invasive species in the Park.

  • There are around 360 species of birds in the Park.
  • The Park is home to the Florida panther, which is endangered.
  • The Park is home to 27 species of snakes.
  • Some birds that live in the Park include: the wood stork, egrets, herons, the glossy ibis and the roseate spoonbill.
  • Manatees and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted in the Park’s waters.
  • Dolphins can range from 8 to 12 feet in length.
  • Manatees can reach 1,000 pounds and grow to 8 to 13 feet in length.
  • Invasive plants have taken over 1.7 million acres in the Everglades including the Brazilian peppertree, the Chinese privet, the broad-leaved paperbark tree and the Old World climbing fernording.
  • The most notorious invasive species is the Burmese pythons, who are eating small mammals, alligators. People are allowed to hunt for these snakes in the Everglades, but they are hard to find.
  • Cuban tree frogs and the Nile monitor are other invasive species that prey on native species and their eggs.
  • Alligators can be up to 10 feet long. They are a threatened species, especially with the Burmese python around.
  • The Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist. Crocodiles also grow up to 13 feet.
  • Over a dozen species of turtle live in the Everglades. . The Atlantic loggerhead turtle is a threatened species.

See Native and Invasive Species of the Everglades by Airboat

On an airboat tour, you will get the opportunity to see many of the Park’s wildlife species. Remember, always leave the wildlife alone! If you notice a creature is hurt, notify a Park official. To schedule an airboat trip when you’re visiting the Everglades, call Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours at 239-695-3377 or click Everglades airboat tour page.