Animals of The Mangroves
The Mangroves are very rich with diverse species throughout. They have very strange living conditions, so it is interesting to see the diverse adaptations that the animals develop in order to survive in these ecosystems.
Mangrove Crabs: Mangrove Crabs are a type of crab that is found in the Mangroves near the shore. They are mostly blue or grey in color and range from 3-6 cm in size. However, sometimes this small appearance may sometimes make them easy prey for some predators. Therefore, the crabs used the mangrove trees around them and developed the ability to climb trees to escape predators. They are also able to bury themselves in the soil for the same reason. The Mangrove Crab is a very fascinating creature in itself.
Snowy Egret: The Snowy Egret is one of the many birds that can be spotted in mangrove ecosystems. They are on the smaller side of most herons, their wingspans being around 100 cm. They have white bodies and yellow feet. These yellow feet are an interesting adaptation used to hunt and catch prey. These bright yellow feet typically draw in many small fish and crustation shellfish based on their color. This makes it easy for the heron to kill prey. Because aquatic prey makes up all of their diets, this is a very useful adaptation for the Snowy Heron.
American Alligators: The American Alligator is a reptile found in only the United States, mostly in the Florida Everglades. These animals can grow up to over 12 feet long and weigh over 1,000 lbs.! Not only do they grow up to an extremely large size, but their skin is also armored with bony, small scales called scutes. They are cold-blooded, meaning they depend on nature to provide them with warmth. However, they are known to sometimes bury themselves in the sand in order to trap heat to stay warm. They also have a glottis which is an adaptation that allows the animals to catch and eat prey fully underwater. This paired with their webbed feet makes them a deadly threat in the water as well as on land.
Mangrove Cuckoo: The Mangrove Cuckoo is a very rare animal found in the mangroves around all over the Caribbean. They are so hard to find because of their tendency to stay very quiet outside of their mating season. They are quiet animals in general as well, for they often just hop from branch to branch instead of flying in the trees. Because they are in the trees so often, Cuckoos developed an adaptation called a zygodactyl" foot arrangement. This means they have two toes facing forward and two backward, making it easier to live in the trees. These birds have an interesting diet as well, it consists of many small aquatic creatures, berries, and fruits, and sometimes other birds' eggs if they are really desperate.