About This Book

Here is the story of the plants and animals of theEverglades, this country’s subtropical kingdom. Plantsand animals found nowhere else in the 50 states arefound here in abundance, though in an increasinglyperilous state. In this handbook, first published in 1972,author and researcher Jean Craighead George bringsto the telling of this story long years of study andunderstanding. Checklists and glossaries at the backbuttress her account of the natural history of thisnational park.

National Park Handbooks, compact introductions to thegreat natural and historic places administered by theNational Park Service, are published to support theNational Park Service’s management programs at theparks and to promote understanding and enjoyment ofthe parks. Each is intended to be informative readingand a useful guide before, during, and after a park visit.More than 100 titles are in print. This is Handbook143. You may purchase the handbooks through themail by writing to Superintendent of Documents, U.S.Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.

Library of Congress card number: 73-600077

ISBN 0-912627-29-8

★GPO: 1987—181-917/60504

Preface vii

America’s Subtropical Wonderland 1

Pine Rockland 7

Tree-Island Glades 12

Mangrove Swamp 16

Florida Bay and the Coastal Prairie 21

Big Cypress Swamp 26

Plant-and-Animal Communities 29

Tropical Hardwood Hammock 30

Cypress Head 35

Bayhead 38

Willow Head 40

Web of Life in the Marsh 42

Alligator Hole in the Glades 45

Discovering Everglades Plants and Animals 49

Air Plants 52

Mammals 59

Birds 64

Reptiles and Amphibians 70

Fishes 72

Animals without Backbones 75

Indians of the Everglades 77

Appendix 80

Glossary 81

For Reading and Reference 84

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