Reptiles

Reptiles

Reptiles in the Everglades have colonized major habitats of the region, including terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Their ability to survive without a regular supply of drinking water exceeds that of amphibians and is perhaps their most distinguishing characteristic from the closely related amphibian family. The reptile’s independence from water is most striking as it pertains to the reptilian egg: its hard shell and internal organization allow for incubation away from water, unlike amphibian eggs.

Because of the reptile’s tolerances for salt water as well as drought, reptiles hold a superior potential over amphibians for crossing geographic barriers. However, terrestrial and freshwater reptiles are still constrained by relatively small expanses of marine habitat. As a result, most of the non-marine reptiles of the Everglades are, in fact, native to the temperate landmass of North America.

Common or well-known reptiles of the Everglades region include two species of crocodilians, eleven species of turtles, three species of lizards, and sixteen species of snakes.

One reptile has stood as the prominent representative of Everglades wildlife over the years, the American alligator. Alligators have faced a rough history in the Everglades, as they were practically hunted to extinction during the early 1900’s. After an impressive comeback since the 1960’s, when they were placed on the endangered species list, their population has increased to a sufficient number to support a controlled harvest program.

Alligators, like most reptiles, build nests in which to lay their eggs. Optimum nesting efforts are observed when water levels remain stable or decrease throughout the nesting season (June-Sept). Significant nest losses occur when the nests are submerged for about 48 hours.

Alligators serve an important ecological function by maintaining "gator holes" or depressions in the mulch, which are thought to provide a refuge for aquatic organisms as well as constitute a concentrated food source for wading birds and other Everglades predators during drought.

The current alligator management program is designed to conserve alligators and their habitat throughout the state of Florida by establishing mechanisms that will provide economic incentives to public and private interests. As direct benefactors of the resources, Floridians have a vested interest in maintaining these wetlands in their natural conditions.