FLMNH Ichthyology Department: South Florida Aquatic Environments

NATIVE FAUNA

American Alligator
*courtesy U.S. Geological Survey*

Cypress Swamps:

Native Fauna

Aquatic life is more diverse and abundant than terrestrial life within cypress swamps

Although cypress habitats support few species of terrestrial wildlife, the water within cypress domes does support a variety of aquatic life. Invertebrates including crayfish, dragonfly larvae, and snails provide food for small fish and wading birds.

Golden Topminnow
*courtesy Noel Burkhead/Howard Jelks, U.S. Geological Survey*

Flagfish
*courtesy South Florida Water Management District*

Common fishes in these shallow marsh habitats include marsh killifish (Fundulus confluentus), golden topminnows (Fundulus chrysotus), flagfish (Jordanella floridae), and the mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). These fish are adapted for survival in aquatic habitats that dry seasonally. The marsh killifish is able to survive complete dessication by burying their eggs in the muds while the adult fish perish. These eggs hatch when flooding occurs at the beginning of the wet season, continuing the survival of the species. Other small fish, such as the mosquitofish, take refuge in rock cavities or crayfish burrows that maintain water levels until the rains come in the summer.

Leopard Frog
© Kenneth Krysko

Bull Frog
courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

During the dry season, reptiles and amphibians frequent cypress domes in search of moisture. These species include:

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Florida snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola)
Florida softshell (Apalone ferox)
eastern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
brown water snake (Nerodia taxispilota)
South Florida swamp snake (Seminatrix pygaea cyclas)
bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala)
little grass frog (Pseudacris ocularis)

Cypress habitats are prime areas for feeding and nesting birds, including many that have threatened or endangered status. One example is the wood stork (Mycteria americana), an endangered species that is entirely dependent upon the wetlands of Florida. Within cypress swamps, this bird feeds on small freshwater fish and nests in the trees.

Wild Turkey
courtesy South Florida Water Management District

Tricolored Heron
courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Other year-round residents include:

double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
wood duck (Aix sponsa)
anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Raptors include:

short-tailed hawk (Buteo brachyurus)
southern bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus)
osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

River Otter
courtesy NOAA

Mammals residing in the cypress swamps include:

mink (Mustela vison)
beaver (Castor canadensis)
river otter (Lutra canadensis)
gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
raccoon (Procyon lotor)

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) utilize cypress habitats for daytime bedding.

Gray Squirrel
courtesy NOAA