Alligators, sharks, crocodiles, pet-shop pythons and underwater cows… Today’s national park seems like it was designed by a mad scientist!
Welcome to the Everglades. Hope you packed your swamp survival kit!

Hello from sunny Florida! Today, Emma visited the strange and beautiful Everglades. You guys were right to suggest it – there’s a lot to see here! It’s not like most parks; it’s a wonder of nature! A special ecosystem of many different plants and animals. Guess what? It’s the only spot on Earth where alligators and crocodiles live together! How cool is that? There’s so much fun stuff to explore and learn there!

The Everglades has both salty and fresh water. That makes it a comfy home for marine animals that like either type of water! This is why Emma hopped on a boat (and even went scuba diving) to check out the cool wildlife there!

GUESS THE ECOSYSTEM

During her travels, Emma got to see a few of of the NINE different ecosystems found in the Everglades National Park: Sawgrass Prairies, Sloughs, Mangrove Swamps, Cypress Domes, Hardwood Forests, Pinelands, Marl Prairies, Estuarine Areas, and Coastal Areas.

Do you remember which ones she saw this episode? Why don’t we make this a game? Can you guess which of those she saw are found in this picture? Let us know your guesses in the comment section!

From the boat, Emma saw the Pinelands in the distance. The Pinelands (also called “pine rocklands”) are full of tall trees, palmettos, and pretty wildflowers. Since there are many fires there, special plants that can grow again after fires are known to live there too.

The Pineland Trail is a short and easy trail for visitors, including wheelchairs. It is perfect for hiking and exploring. If you’re lucky, you might spot some wildlife, especially birds that appear when it’s peaceful and quiet.

Emma toured the waters of the Everglades instead of walking on its trails. Her boat ride was a great way to safely see different animals, like pythons, dolphins, alligators, and even lemon sharks!

The Lemon shark is a social animal that normally isn’t a threat to humans. They are commonly found in the coasts of Florida, New Jersey, Brazil and west Africa. These sharks are group hunters, preferring to eat fish, crustacean and even birds. Scuba divers who meet lemon sharks have said they are vocal, communicating with whistles and clicks.

Emma went underwater hoping to find the curious and friendly manatee. These sea cows (yes, they’re called that) really like eating plants in the water. Sadly, there’s not enough seagrass for them where they live in Florida. Boat injuries and pollution mean there aren’t many of them left. All the more reason to talk about them, protect them, and tell others about their existence!

What did you think of this national park tour? Is there anything you especially enjoyed? Do you think you can guess the ecosystem pictures correctly? Give it a try!