In 1773 British surveyor John Gerard de Brahm was mapping the coast of Florida. In using the maps laid out by the Spanish cartographers a few centuries before him, he found the area they referred to as Laguna del Espiritu Santo or Lake of the Holy Spirit. The Spanish called it as such because they knew there was water there, they just couldn't see it. Brahm mistook the translation as meaning river and called the area River Glades. By 1823 maps of the region had been copied with yet another mistake in translation and referred to the wetlands as the Everglades.
The Florida Everglades are a subtropical wetland consisting of no less than six different ecosystems. The mere geography of the region, combined with differing weather flows from varied sources makes the Everglades a decidedly diverse place. There are many resulting factors from the uniqueness of the Everglades, and one of them is the existence of several species of flora and fauna which can only be naturally found in this singular place on earth.
The Florida Panther is both endemic to Florida and an endangered subspecies of the cougar. This beautiful and rare cat is born with blue eyes and a spotted coat to aid in camouflage. As the cub grows the eyes become a deep yellow and the coat changes to a rich tan colour. Their underbelly will remain white, but black tips will appear on the tail and ears. One of the most defining characteristics of the Florida Panther is its inability to roar. Every other subspecies of the cougar is able to make some sort of defensive, deep, guttural projection of noise. Florida Panther can only growl, whistle, chirp or purr. The only predators to this beautiful creature are alligators and humans.
The second creature on our list of species endemic to the Florida Everglades is the Florida Black Bear. A subspecies of the American Black Bear, the Floridian cousin is known to roam through most of southern Florida as well as Alabama and Georgia simply due to infringement on their habitat. The Florida Black Bear prefers a forested home, either wetland or upland. Those living in the southern portion of the Everglades are the only subspecies to live in a subtropical climate - quite a feat considering their coat. The Florida Black Bear are large, stocky, covered with shiny black fur and have a short tail. There are many members of the subspecies who have developed a white chest patch, but it is not common throughout the population. The most prolific source of mortality for the Florida Black Bear is interference with motor vehicle traffic.
Theses are just two creatures that make the Florida Everglades their home. They are powerful, unusual and dwindling animals that deserve respect. While the Everglades is certainly an ecological wonder, visit it carefully and with awareness of the creatures living there.
The Florida Everglades are a subtropical wetland consisting of no less than six different ecosystems. The mere geography of the region, combined with differing weather flows from varied sources makes the Everglades a decidedly diverse place. There are many resulting factors from the uniqueness of the Everglades, and one of them is the existence of several species of flora and fauna which can only be naturally found in this singular place on earth.
The Florida Panther is both endemic to Florida and an endangered subspecies of the cougar. This beautiful and rare cat is born with blue eyes and a spotted coat to aid in camouflage. As the cub grows the eyes become a deep yellow and the coat changes to a rich tan colour. Their underbelly will remain white, but black tips will appear on the tail and ears. One of the most defining characteristics of the Florida Panther is its inability to roar. Every other subspecies of the cougar is able to make some sort of defensive, deep, guttural projection of noise. Florida Panther can only growl, whistle, chirp or purr. The only predators to this beautiful creature are alligators and humans.
The second creature on our list of species endemic to the Florida Everglades is the Florida Black Bear. A subspecies of the American Black Bear, the Floridian cousin is known to roam through most of southern Florida as well as Alabama and Georgia simply due to infringement on their habitat. The Florida Black Bear prefers a forested home, either wetland or upland. Those living in the southern portion of the Everglades are the only subspecies to live in a subtropical climate - quite a feat considering their coat. The Florida Black Bear are large, stocky, covered with shiny black fur and have a short tail. There are many members of the subspecies who have developed a white chest patch, but it is not common throughout the population. The most prolific source of mortality for the Florida Black Bear is interference with motor vehicle traffic.
Theses are just two creatures that make the Florida Everglades their home. They are powerful, unusual and dwindling animals that deserve respect. While the Everglades is certainly an ecological wonder, visit it carefully and with awareness of the creatures living there.
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