Other Creepy Crawlies in the Swamp

Florida in Us is one state that is blessed with millions of acres of wetlands, marshes and swamps that are known to support many popular as well as endangered species of animals. Even these wetlands are not untouched by human activities, which has led to a situation where many of animal species, especially those that belong to the category of reptiles (crawlies, as referred to by people commonly) have become endangered. Because of increased media glare courtesy Swamp People that is being broadcast regularly by History channel for more than a year now, alligator hunting has become an activity that is being taken up by more people than ever before. But this article will restrict itself to many types of crawling animals in the wetlands that are found in swampy areas.

Swamps have an abundance of wildlife because of richer environment for animals and all sorts of resources such as food, shelter, drinking water as well as sites for nesting and mating. Against popular misconception, many more varieties of animals are found outside the swamps than there are inside the swamps. Most of the animals make use of swamps in one way or the other though. Many fish, reptiles and amphibians find swampy waters perfect for breeding and other activities. It is not that these species of insects, fish and other reptiles do not give anything in return to the ecosystem. As these life forms move from one habitat to another, they behave as seed dispersers as well as transporters of nutrients. Talking of crawlies, ask Cajun and they will tell you about many varieties of snails and earthworms that belong to the lowest place in the food chain and are eaten by other animals. If you have been watching Swamp People regularly, you must have seen many species of reptiles not known to outside world. Swampy waters may be still and look listless, but believe me; beneath this outwardly quiet surface is a world teeming with wildlife activity, especially reptiles and amphibians that are seen to those who are involved in alligator hunting as well as native Cajun people.

While swamps have enough water to hold a high number of species of aquatic life forms, during summers, water dries down and this is the time when most of tiny fish, insects, reptiles and amphibians get concentrated in pools of water and these pools of water become a rich source of food for many bird species found in these swampy areas. Crawlies and amphibians rule the roost in swamps and rare species of frogs, toads, and snakes can be found here and seen on TV during Swamp People when alligator hunting is shown up close involving Cajun people.

Why there are so many frogs in swamps is because of low oxygen levels making it impossible for some of the fish to survive and these are predators that eat up frog. While swamps have lesser number of lizards, many of the tree climbing species of lizards is commonly seen in the swamps.

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