Florida’s most famed and feared aquatic animals are found far from the sandy white beaches to which tourists frequently flock. While Ft. Lauderdale’s majestic coastline is no doubt worth a visit, be sure not to overlook the city’s other natural treasure, the Everglades National Park, home to one of America’s largest alligator populations. Not only does it house enough gators to make the University of Florida green with envy, the Everglade’s swamp, marsh and wetlands also protects some of the state’s most endangered species, including the Florida panther, the American crocodile and the West Indian manatee. In total, the park boasts over 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish (both saltwater and freshwater), 40 species of mammals and 50 species of reptiles, balancing a delicate and diverse ecosystem amid the surrounding human development. Continued…