Everglades Mammals

Everglades Mammals

There are more than forty different kinds of mammals that live in the Everglades. Some of these mammals are rabbits, deer, gray foxes, manatees, and panthers. Each of these animals has special things about them.

Marsh rabbits have learned how to swim because they live in watery places. They are the only rabbits that can swim. They live in places like freshwater marshes, pinelands, and coastal prairies. They eat different kinds of plants and are active at night.

Multiple Choice

1. What is one special ability of the marsh rabbit mentioned in the text?

• A) It can swim

• B) It can climb trees

• C) It can fly

• D) It can dig tunnels

Gray Foxes

Gray foxes are special because they can climb trees. They are the only foxes that can do this. They eat mostly rabbits and rodents, but they also eat birds, insects, acorns, and fruit.

Multiple Choice

2. What do gray foxes eat according to the text?

• A) Plants and fruit

• B) Fish and insects

• C) Meat and fruits

• D) Nuts and berries

White-tailed deer are found in many parts of North and South America. They have white on their tails and brown fur. The white-tailed deer in the Everglades are smaller than other white-tailed deer. They don't have a layer of fat like other white-tailed deer because they live in a warm place. They spend most of their time eating in the sawgrass marshes and prairies. They can weigh up to 1,200 pounds and grow between 8 and 13 feet long. They like to eat sea grasses and foliage, and they can spend 6 to 8 hours each day eating.

Florida panthers are like other panthers in North America, but they are a little different. They are active at night and stay hidden. Florida panthers are smaller and have a different-shaped head than other panthers. Scientists think their head shape helps them live in the humid Everglades. Panthers are at the top of the food chain in the Everglades. They like to eat white-tailed deer and wild hogs, but they also eat rabbits, raccoons, birds, and other small animals.

Multiple Choice

What is the main idea of this passage?

• A) The Everglades is a dangerous place for animals.

• B) The Everglades is home to many different animals with unique abilities.

• C) The Everglades is a small and uninteresting place.

• D) The Everglades is a cold and snowy place.