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.Ft. Lauderdale offers easy access to the wetlands as the Everglades span the city’s westernmost border. Only a short cab, bus or drive away, Everglades Holiday Park will give visitors a taste if all the Everglades has to offer. Guided tours are available 7 days a week, taking you deep into the heart of the swamp for a full hour of eye opening and heart stopping exploration. This isn’t a binocular-bound whale watching tour, it is an up close and personal first-hand look at one of nature’s most cunning predators. For vacationers who’d rather keep their distance from the gators, the area is also filled with exotic birds and fish native only to southern Florida. Tours are enjoyed on one of the swampland’s most iconic modes of transportation, the airboat. While these state-of-the-art airboats offer an upgrade in both safety and reliability compared to what you see in the movies, they maintain the authentic experience of gliding effortlessly through the tall grass and slimy marsh. Both exhilarating and educational, an Everglades airboat tour is sure to be an unforgettable experience that’s fun for the whole family.