Oct 26th: Shark Valley

We’re back in the Everglades National Park, this time in Shark Valley. It’s hardly a valley and there are no sharks here but there are where the swamp waters run into the sea; hence the name.

We take a tram tour on a 14 mile nature run. What’s immediately obvious is the amount of water birds, some unusual like this two foot tall limpkin that feeds mainly off giant apple snails. He’s called a limpkin because he appears to limp. Presumably he would be a hopkin if he hopped.

You’re lucky to see the shy pumas, bears or Burmese python. The python is non-native and has quickly established from pet owner releases when they grow too large. Efforts to trap them are unsuccessful, and there are estimated to be between 10,000 and 150,000 in the Everglades. They are a real threat to native species, especially small mammals some of which have declined by 98%. They are a major and growing problem for the Park authorities. Anyone know a good snake charmer?

Alligators, however, are the good guys, and part of the Park’s ecosystem. To breed, they build nests about four feet in diameter.

Only around 10% of the hatchlings make it to adulthood as they make a tasty snack for all sorts of creatures, including mature alligators. Here Jane and I were lucky; after the conducted tour finished we quietly watched a swamp area behind the tour tram parking lot. Soon we heard some squeaks, and then several baby alligators nervously appeared. This is one, about 9 inches long. 

The system reverses with the fully grown alligator-he has you for tea. In fact, they aren’t dangerous unless provoked or are protecting young. In spite of the reassurances, you wouldn’t go and pet him, would you?

The swamp water flows from north to south, a 200 mile journey before it reaches the sea. The water is very clear and supports numerous fish and even turtles, like this soft shelled turtle about three feet long. It was clearly visible in the original photo but now looks like one of those ‘put a cross where you think it is’ pictures the Sunday papers used to feature. Win a can of turtle soup for the cross nearest its head! 

The Miccosukee Indians lived in the Everglades before the settlers encroached on their lands and upset the delicate eco-system with land drainage to turn the land into agriculture. This has largely been reversed in more recent time, which is why we can see the Everglades in its natural form.

The Miccosukee hung on in their native lands into the 1920’s when this photo was taken of their village. The village occupies higher ground just a few feet above the swamp.

The Indians caught fish and trapped creatures. They were able to live with the mosquitos, and navigated the shallow waters in dugout canoes. This is a photo of the tribe who lived in the above village.

Their traditional life is long gone now and has been replaced by a casino on their reservation up the road. This is a government sponsored option, and it’s a debatable question as to whether a profitable casino can satisfactorily replace their rich heritage and customs lost through their displacement by settlers (i.e. us Europeans).