Burmese pythons get a lot of attention for living in the Everglades, even though they are an invasive species. However, there are 23 snake species in the Everglades and four are venomous. Snakes, although terrifying to many, help keep the ecosystem in balance. These snakes control the number of other snakes, invertebrates and rodents in the Park. Bird and alligators also prey on snakes.

For this article, we wanted to detail the four venomous snakes that live in the Everglades, which include the Eastern coral snake, the Florida cottonmouth, the dusky pigmy rattlesnake, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

Eastern Coral Snake – This snake has red, yellow, and black bands running down its body. It can usually be found in a wooded habitat and it is very elusive in nature, since it spends a lot of time under ground or beneath foliage. Coral snakes are not confrontational; they account for less than one percent of all bites that occur in North America each year; however, their bite is the most venomous of all the snakes on the continent. This snake’s bite isn’t overly painful, but can cause death within just a few hours.

Florida Cottonmouth – This snake is known as the “water moccasin.” It is a type of pit viper and it is the only semiaquatic viper species in the world. This snake can be found around shallow waters such as streams and marshes. These snakes can really swim. They are black, brown, tan or olive in color; the Florida cottonmouth also has a very thick body and can be up to six feet long. Its bite is painful and can lead to death.

Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake—The dusky pigmy rattlesnake is a small snake between two to three feet. It can be found in both wet and dry areas. It is gray with black/brown dorsal spots across its back with white flecks on the stomach. This snake is aggressive and can be quick to bite with no warning. It has small fangs, so it only releases a small amount of venom with a bite. Its bite is rarely fatal, but can be more dangerous to a child or pet.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake – This snake is the biggest of the venomous snakes in both mass and length; it can grow up to eight feet.  This snake is also a great swimmer. It can be found by water or understand. The diamondback rattlesnake has dark diamonds across its body, each separated by a whiteish color. It is extremely venomous, but it is not aggressive. They rattling their tails to warn anyone who may be a

These poisonous snakes can look similar to many non-venomous snakes. So, how can you tell the difference between a venomous snake and a non-venomous snake?

1. Most snakes with a triangular head are venomous.
2. Snakes with lengthwise stripes are non-venomous.

Never approach or touch a snake if you’re unsure what kind of snake you are approaching. Even if you know your snakes, it’s better to leave wildlife alone. If you want snakes to stay away from you, it’s a good idea to make a lot of noise while walking, so the snakes are aware you’re around. Keep your hands out of potential snake hiding spots (logs, brush, leaves, rock piles), as well. Stick to the trails, because you’re less likely to run into a snake on a cleared path.

An airboat tour is a great way to stay safe in the Everglades without running the risk of encountering a snake. You may even get to see one slither by on land or water.

To check out the beautiful ecosystem that the snakes contribute to, Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours will give you a glimpse of the Everglades like no other. To book an airboat ride, call  800-368-0065  or visit our Private Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).

Besides alligators and birds, there is art in the park! The Artist in Residence in Everglades (AIRIE) offers artists, writers, and composers the opportunity to live and work in the Park for a period of up to one month.

The works completed in this program will contribute to the public understanding and appreciation of Everglades National Park. This program is meant for serious professionals who want to work alone in the wilderness. It’s a good program for those who care about and want to contribute to the environment. The park takes in 12 residents each year.

Artists are provided a furnished apartment during the residency (about four weeks). It is in the Royal Palm area, near the Ernest Coe Visitor Center. Residents need to bring personal belongings, foods, and supplies. Artwork includes painting, video arts, sculpture, photography, mixed media, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Student work is not eligible.

Each artist is asked to donate one piece of art that reflects their residency for the park’s collection. Also, each artist must volunteer a few hours during their residency to interact with park visitors and staff. This volunteer work can include “art walks,” slide lectures, exhibitions, and workshops.

The resident is chosen by a panel of experts and professional artists, curators, and educators, along with park personnel.

In the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in the Everglades, you can have the chance to see AIRIE NEST, which is an interdisciplinary art gallery put on display by AIRIE, Inc (Artists in Residence in Everglades).

This exhibit features visual art, performing art, art-science driven collaboration, artwork from the AIRIE permanent collection, as well as educational workshops. The mission of this exhibit is to “educate, enhance and enrich the visitor’s understanding and experience of Everglades National Park through quality Everglades’ specific exhibits; foster a unique opportunity for the future generations of Park stewards to learn about the Everglades.”
AIRIE Nest Gallery is located at Everglades National Park’s Coe Visitor Center, 40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL. The gallery is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, free of charge.

To see what artwork is up for display, visit the AIRIE website.

Before or after visiting this wonderful exhibit, or while you’re an artist in residence, explore the Everglades by airboat on a ride with Captain Mitch. Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours give you a glimpse of the Everglades like no other. To book an airboat ride, call  800-368-0065  or visit our Private Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).

Researchers, scientists, government officials, park staff, and civilians have been trying to restore the Everglades in many different ways. One way is by helping out native species. We want native species to thrive in the Everglades, not disappear.

Many scientists have been trying to restore native bird populations. And in the last few months, state environmental officials announced that in 2018 there was in increase in wading bird nests that haven’t been seen since the 1940s.

According to South Florida Water Management District’s 2019 wading bird report, prepared along with Audubon Florida, the Everglades saw about 138,834 nests of white ibises, wood storks, roseate spoonbills, and other long-legged bird species in 2018. The highest number before that was 51,270 nests in 2009. There was even a “supercolony” in western Broward County where 59,120 nests were found, which has not been seen since the 1930s.

As you can tell by the numbers, this is great news and a promising outlook for native bird species in the Everglades.

How did this number increase so much? Well, one reason is the increase in fish populations due to the year’s rainfall patterns. The Broward supercolony birds likely increased due to the restoration of more water being moved around a teardrop-shaped island. The deep water kept away predators like racoons, so it was easier to nest.

2019 likely won’t see as big of a number as 2018, due to weather, but 2018’s season shows that further restoration on waterflow improvement will likely be successful for wading birds.  A bird biologist from the water management district believes if they get the water right at the right time, species can be recovered quickly.

Birds are a sight to see in the Everglades, and you can catch a glimpse of them in their habitat on an airboat tour.

Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours is a trip where you can see wildlife and a side of the Everglades like nowhere else.

To book a trip for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, call 800-368-0065  or visit our Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).

The Everglades is a great place to take the whole family. There’s a lot of wonderful things to see and areas to explore, along with activities like airboat tours, biking, canoeing, shuttles, walking tour, and much more. Being an outdoor Park filled with wildlife, visitors must take precaution as anything can happen in terms of weather, flooding, restrictions, bugginess, etc.

When visiting the Park, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the park’s safety rules, so you can get the most out of your visit. Safety is critical no matter what you choose to do in the park.

We’ve listed some of the Everglades National Park’s safety precautions, tips, and rules below. These safety rules are in play no matter the time of year you plan to visit the area.

1. Pay attention to the weather. It can get very hot and humid in the Everglades during the summer. Dress appropriately, wear sunscreen, bring water, and bug spray.
2. Children must be supervised. There are animals roaming freely all in the grasses and vegetation alongside the trails. For your child’s safety and yours, make sure everyone sticks to the trails.
3. Pets are not allowed on the trails.
4. Feeding wildlife is not allowed and is illegal. Animals can become aggressive if they’re being fed by humans in their wild habitat.
5. Be aware of vultures. Vultures are federally protected. They have been known to damage the windshields, sunroofs, and windshield wipers of cars and other vehicles. The Park suggests you avoid parking near groups of vultures, park in full sun, put a car cover over the car, use loud noises to spook the vultures off the car or vehicle, and notify a park ranger if one is on your car and won’t leave.
6. Leave the wildlife alone. If you harm, touch, or bother the animals or birds, you can get in trouble; it is illegal to interfere with the animals in any way.
7. Do not leave a fire unattended.
8. Do not tie or attach anything to trees.
9. Do not leave garbage out or behind – this can attract wildlife.
10. The Park suggests applying insect repellant before walking on any of the trails; the park also sells repellant at all stores in the Park. It’s best to stick to walking on paved areas if you want to stay away from bugs as much as possible.

Keep these 10 tips and safety rules in mind while visiting the Everglades. The trip will be much more enjoyable if you prepare for the trip properly, and don’t bother the animals of environment in any way.

Riding on an airboat is a safe and fun way to explore the Everglades. Captain Mitch’s Airboat Tours has been navigating through the wetland for decades.

To book a trip for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, call 800-368-0065  or visit our Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).