[Transcript]

Introduction to Big Cypress Wildlife

Now, when it comes to wildlife, most visitors to Big Cypress National Preserve can count on seeing the usual suspects, like alligators, crocodiles, herons, and egrets. But Big Cypress is home to some lesser-known animals, too. Let's start in the brackish, shallow waters that run throughout the preserve.

The Fascinating Florida Gar

That's where you'll find a fish whose lineage traces back millions of years, the Florida gar. The Florida gar has a long, slender body covered in brown, interlocking, diamond-shaped scales. The gar's armor-like scales are so effective that the U.S. military used them for inspiration when designing body armor. 

The Florida gar has a long, tweezer-like snout and a mouthful of sharp teeth. An adult Florida gar can reach up to 54 inches long and weigh up to about 10 pounds. While most fish have an organ called a swim bladder that helps with buoyancy, the Florida gar's swim bladder is modified. 

It functions like a lung, allowing them to actually breathe air from the surface so they can survive in stagnant waters. And when the Florida gar does come to the surface, it might encounter our next highlighted creature, the Big Cypress fox squirrel. 

Meet the Big Cypress Fox Squirrel

Now, most squirrels don't really care for swamps. But you can find Big Cypress fox squirrels in all five of the Big Cypress habitats. Hardwood hammocks, cypress swamps, estuaries, pinelands, and prairies. Fox squirrels have grayish-brown fur with bushy tails, similar to their northern cousin, the gray squirrel.

But fox squirrels are considerably larger, up to 27 inches long and weighing up to 3 pounds. They often have white ears and noses. They're diurnal, meaning they're mostly active during the day. 

These little critters play an important role in the environment. As they forage, they drop nuts and seeds. And sometimes they forget where they hid entire stashes of food. 

This helps local plants spread their seeds and reproduce. Well, that covers water and land. So next, let's look to the sky.

Rare and Adorable: The Florida Bonneted Bat

Now, I know some people get a little squeamish when you talk about bats. But the Florida bonneted bat might just be the cutest bat you've ever seen. It's got a wingspan of about 20 inches, but weighs only 2 ounces.

It's still the largest species of bat in Florida and one of the rarest bats in the entire world. The Florida bonneted bat is easily distinguishable by its large ears and a glandular swelling on its forehead that looks like, well, a bonnet. Biologists aren't exactly sure what purpose the bonnet serves, though.

Most likely, it plays a role in regulating the bat's body temperature. Or maybe it's a communication tool. Whatever its purpose, the bat's bonnet kinda makes it resemble a pug. 

You know, one of those little flat-faced dogs. Florida bonneted bats are primarily active at night. They feed on insects and use echolocation to navigate and hunt prey. 

They tend to stick to the rockland forests, hardwood hammocks, and cypress swamps and make their nests in trees or abandoned buildings. Now, one of the reasons the Florida bonneted bat is so rare is because it has a low reproductive rate. You see, females only give birth to a single pup each year, which makes the population vulnerable to threats like disease and habitat loss. 

And it's why the National Park Service and local environmental groups implemented conservation initiatives like habitat preservation and public awareness campaigns. And hopefully, these bonneted little beauties will be here to stay.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Big Cypress National Preserve Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.