West Indian Manatee: The Everglades’ Resident Gentle Giant

March 13, 2015 by

ManateeThe West Indian manatee is certainly a local favorite, these gentle creatures having affectionately earned themselves the nickname of “sea cow.” The West Indian manatee can be further classified into two subgroups, the Florida Manatee and the Caribbean Manatee, both of which are currently on the endangered species list.

The West Indian manatee is a mammal which has completely adapted to living underwater, and like other manatee species, has no hind limbs. The average adult West Indian manatee is roughly 12 feet long and weighs around 1,300 pounds, with females tending to be larger than males. Although manatees are easily the largest animals found in the Everglades, with the largest Florida manatee on record reaching nearly 4,000 pounds, they are extremely docile creatures, very gentle and very shy.

Manatees are not territorial, and have very few, if any, natural predators. The only aquatic species large enough to take on a manatee – sharks, killer whales – very rarely share habitats with manatees, so in general, manatees have never been known to shown predator-avoidance behavior. Manatees themselves, though they occasionally feed on small fish and crustaceans, are largely a vegetarian species, with sea grass being their largest source of food.

West Indian manatees are extremely vulnerable to their environments, and many die during periods of cold weather because the thermal shock shuts down their digestive systems in temperatures below 68 degrees. Because of this, the loss of warm-water habitats poses the biggest threat to declining manatee populations, though as always, humans have their share in the responsibility as well. If you have ever seen manatees in the wild, then you may have noticed large, deep scars on their backs, the result of being hit by propellers as boats pass over them too closely and too quickly for these slow-moving creatures to avoid.

There are strong efforts today to preserve manatee populations throughout Florida, as these gentle giants have almost become a sort of mascot for the state. A variety of state, federal, and non-profit programs are already set up to protect these gentle creatures, and fortunately, numbers are on a slight rise.

To fully understand the beauty and importance of these animals, many residents and visitors head out on the water for an Everglades tour. From an airboat ride, you and your family can view manatees, alligators, crocodiles, and plenty of fish and birds, and you’ll no doubt be left with a love and appreciation for all things Everglades.

Filed Under: Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades Airboat Tours, Everglades Animals, Everglades Wildlife Tagged With: , , , ,

The Ghost Orchid: Florida’s Most Elusive Resident

March 13, 2015 by

Ghost OrchidThe ghost orchid, also known by its Latin name of dendrophylax lindenii, is often talked about but rarely seen, and is today considered to be one of the rarest flowers in the United States, if not the entire world. First discovered in 1844, the elusive flower has only been spotted in three places: Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Florida Everglades.

Blooming between June and late August, the ghost orchid is characterized by its white flowers which are roughly 3-4cm wide and 7-9cm long, with roots that blend in so well with the surrounding trees that the flowers sometimes almost appear to be floating in midair, hence their name of “ghost orchid.” A typical ghost orchid will sprout 1-10 flowers for each bloom, flowers which are known to give off a fruity, apple-like scent. What distinguishes the ghost orchid from other white orchids is the two long tendrils that extend from the bottom petal, resembling legs and earning the ghost orchid the nickname of “white frog orchid.”

Although the ghost orchid was first spotted in Cuba, it is now believed to be extinct everywhere except for Florida. Current estimates state that there are between 1,000 and 2,000 still living in the wild, and of those, only 5-10% actually bloom each year. Of those small percentage which bloom, approximately less than 10% are actually pollinated by the only insect capable of pollinating them, the giant sphinx moth, so it’s easy to see why this beautiful plant struggles so hard to survive.

Previous to the 1980’s, the ghost orchid was not quite so rare and not nearly as much of a mystery as it is today. While severe freezes, the logging industry, and construction of certain canal systems in South Florida are largely responsible for the heavy decrease in numbers for the ghost orchid, it is actually poaching from humans that has caused the most damage. Today, the ghost orchid is considered a protected species, and its destruction or removal is highly illegal.

Members of the public are very rarely given the opportunity to see a ghost orchid in bloom, and of those who are, even fewer consider a trek through waist-deep, alligator-infested waters to be worth it. In addition, the locations of most ghost orchids are kept top secret, and when visitors are taken to see a ghost orchid in bloom, they are often blind-folded during the journey so that they won’t be able to return later on their own.

While it is highly unlikely that you would spot a ghost orchid without a guide, an airboat tour through the Everglades would be an excellent opportunity to try, without having to get in the water and chance an encounter with an alligator or two. Many of the Everglade’s unique and interesting creatures and plants can be viewed safely from the comfort of an airboat ride, providing once in a lifetime thrills that the entire family can enjoy.

Filed Under: Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades Plantlife, Everglades Wildlife Tagged With: , , , ,

Roseate Spoonbill

March 13, 2015 by

SpoonbillThe roseate spoonbill has long been considered one of the most beautiful birds in the entire world, largely due to its eccentric coloring. Like flamingoes, roseate spoonbills are almost entirely pink, with different shades of varying depths covering most of their bodies.

Like the flamingo, roseate spoonbills gets their intense coloring from their diets, which consist mostly of crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, and small fish. Depending on the age and habitat of individual roseate spoonbills, their colors can range from paler pinks to bright magentas, with newborns starting out quite pale and becoming darker as they age. On any given roseate spoonbill, the brightest and most intense colors are generally found on their wings.

Roseate spoonbills are wading birds that are members of the ibis and spoonbill families. Because they prefer warmer climates, they are most prevelant in South America but can also be found throughout Central America and along the Gulf Coast of the United States, namely in Southwest Florida. Roseate spoonbills are small in size, with wingspans of up to five feet, and have elongated legs and necks with rounded, spatulate bills.

It is these spoon-shaped bills that give the roseate spoonbills their name, bills which they use to easily sift through mud while searching for food. They prefer to travel and feed in groups, and can often be seen in clusters of shallow, coastal waters, swinging their bills from side to side as they steadily make their way through the water.

Adult spoonbills have few known predators, but their young and nestlings can be particularly vulnerable to raccoons, fire ants, and larger birds such as bald eagles and turkey vultures. Like many Everglades bird species, habitat destruction poses the most serious threat, as these beautiful birds rely on mangroves and other low shrubs and trees for nesting and raising their young.

Due to their unique and bright coloring, roseate spoonbills are easily spotted when traveling by airboat through the Everglades. In general, airboat tours offer excellent bird-watching opportunities, and spotting one of these magnificent birds in the wild for yourself is sure to be an experience that you never forget.

Filed Under: Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades Animals, Everglades Birds, Everglades Wildlife Tagged With: , , , ,

Airboat Fast Facts

March 13, 2015 by

Airboat

  • Airboats are also sometimes referred to as “fanboats.”
  • Airboats are propelled with either aircraft or automotive engines.
  • Automative engines are preferred for airboats, as automative gas is much less expensive than aviation gas.
  • Airboat hulls are made out of aluminum or fiberglass.
  • Airboat propellers can produce prop wash behind them of around 150mph.
  • Propellers must be enclosed within protective cages to prevent injury to riders and operators.
  • Operators of airboats must have extensive operational safety knowledge.
  • Airboats do not have brakes and cannot move in reverse.
  • Airboats are steered by passing forced air across vertical rudders.
  • Airboats have no operating parts below waterline.
  • Airboats have elevated seats for operators and passengers that allow for better views.
  • Modern airboats are equipped with mufflers to reduce the loud noise given off from engines and propellers.
  • The first airboat was built in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1905 and was nicknamed the “Ugly Duckling.”
  • The first airboat registered in Florida was brought to the area in 1920.
  • The first commercial airboat in Florida appeared in the early 1930’s.
  • Many modern airboats are homemade and the few manufacturers that do exist tend to be small and family-operated.
  • Modern airboats are used for eco-tourism, fishing, hunting, and rescue.
  • During Hurricane Katrina, airboats were used to save thousands of New Orleans residents and flood victims.
  • Airboats are currently used by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Military, and U.S. Special Forces.
  • Airboats are currently being used in Iraq for border patrol.

To experience the thrill and excitement of an Everglades airboat ride in person, visit Captain Mitch today. As a member of the original airboat tour family in Everglades City, Captain Mitch grew up on airboats and is truly the best and most experienced guide in the area.

Filed Under: Airboat History, Captain Mitch, Everglades Airboat Rides, Everglades Airboat Tours, Everglades History Tagged With: , , , ,