All about the park
What is the Everglades?
It is a vast, slow-moving, shallow river of freshwater—spanning 40 miles wide and over 100 miles long—flowing southwest from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay.
What are the main entrances?
There are three main entrances: Homestead (main entrance), Shark Valley (Tamiami Trail), and Everglades City (Gulf Coast).
What is the red peeling bark tree called?
Gumbo limbo
What do you call a tourist who falls into the water in the Everglades?
What is it called when the heat from the sun touches the water?
The evaporation happens.
What is the climate like?
It has two main seasons: a wet season (summer) and a dry season (winter), with temperatures ranging from 54°F to 92°F.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season (December–April) offers lower temperatures (avg. 78°F) and fewer mosquitoes. The wet season (May–November) is hot and buggy, but better for seeing wildlife.
Which tree "strangles" its host to survive?
The Strangler Fig begins its life as an "epiphyte" (growing on another tree). As it grows, its roots wrap around and eventually strangle the host tree, often outcompeting it for sunlight and nutrients.
Why did the alligator break up with his girlfriend?
Answer: He felt she was being too shallow,
How does water enter the system?
Water enters primarily through direct rainfall (60 inches/year) and indirectly via the Kissimmee River, which flows into Lake Okeechobee and overflows into the Everglades.
What makes the park unique?
It was the first national park created to protect a threatened ecosystem rather than just a scenic landscape, providing crucial habitat for dozens of endangered species.
What kind of ecosystem is the Everglades?
It is a massive, slow-moving shallow river—approximately 6 inches deep and 50 miles wide—that flows southwest from Lake Okeechobee. It includes sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and cypress swamps.
What is a "Hardwood Hammock"?
A hammock is a slightly elevated "tree island" that stays dry in all but the wettest years. These areas are dominated by broad-leaf trees and are often shaped like a teardrop due to the slow flow of water over many years.
What do you call an alligator wearing a vest?
An in-vest-igator!
What defines the seasons?
The ecosystem has two main seasons: a rainy season (high water) and a dry season. During the dry season, evaporation and lower water levels expose soil, while the wet season replenishes the wetlands.
What animals live there?
It is famous for American alligators, crocodiles, Florida panthers, manatees, and various bird species.
Why was the park created?
It was established to stop the destruction of the ecosystem, particularly to protect wading birds that were hunted for their feathers.
Which tree is currently a major threat to the native Everglades?
The Melaleuca tree is an invasive species from Australia that grows rapidly (3–6 feet per year) and displaces native cypress and sawgrass.
What do you call an alligator that sneaks up and bites you from behind?
A tail-gater!
How has the water cycle changed?
Human intervention has highly modified the natural flow. Canals, levees, and agricultural development have reduced the southward flow, causing excessive water to be dumped into coastal estuaries, leading to droughts and soil degradation (subsidence).
What are the biggest threats?
The ecosystem is endangered by water pollution, reduced water flow, invasive species, and climate change.
Are there two seasons in the Everglades?
Yes, the park experiences a wet season (summer) and a dry season (winter).
Which tree is known as the "Tourist Tree" and why?
The Gumbo-limbo tree is called the "Tourist Tree" because its reddish-brown bark peels in thin, papery layers, resembling the sunburnt skin of a tourist.
A tourist spent all day in the Everglades trying to catch an alligator to make her own shoes. Why was she so upset when she finally caught one?
The Answer: Because the alligator wasn't wearing any shoes.
What is the role of the aquifer?
The Everglades recharges the Biscayne Aquifer, a crucial source of fresh water for South Florida's urban population.