South Florida Aquatic Environments
Coastal Prairies
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Mosquito
© Jo-Ann Ordano, California Academy of Sciences |
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Native Fauna
- Species diversity is low in coastal prairies due to harsh conditions and a lack of cover
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The diversity of wildlife is very limited within coastal prairie habitat, primarily due to the lack of protective cover as well as harsh environmental conditions. Mosquitos thrive in these areas and are thick except during cool, dry winter weather. The endangered marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris) lives in the coastal prairies of south Florida. It is reddish brown with a gray underside and tail and feeds on marsh and prairie plants. Birds of prey such as the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) often visit the coastal prairies, perching on dead branches while they consume their prey.
Osprey
courtesy South Florida Water Management District
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