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The geography and ecology of the Everglades are areas of study of the vast interconnected ecosystems known as the Everglades that once occupied about a third of the southern Florida peninsula. Although sawgrass and sloughs are the enduring geographical icons of the Everglades, other ecosystems are as vital, and the borders marking them are subtle or nonexistent. Pinelands and tropical hardwood hammocks are common; the trees, rooted in soil inches above the peat, marl, or water, support a variety of wildlife. The oldest and tallest trees are cypresses, with roots specially adapted to grow underwater for months at a time. Freshwater from Lake Okeechobee meets saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico, nurturing mangrove forests which harbor many species of birds, fish, and invertebrates. The marine environment of Florida Bay is also considered part of the Everglades. Minor fluctuations in water levels have far-reaching consequences for many species, and the system cycles and pulses with each change. (Full article...)

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Adder

The adder (Vipera berus), also known as the common adder and the common European viper, is a species of venomous snake in the viper family, Viperidae. It occurs across much of Europe (where it is the most widespread snake species) and northern Asia, including Great Britain, Scandinavia, and parts of Russia and China. In several European countries, the adder is the only extant venomous snake. Usually growing to around 60 cm (24 in) in length, it has a dark zigzag stripe along the back, though colour varies considerably, including completely black melanistic forms. The adder inhabits a wide range of environments such as heathland, woodland edges, moors, and wetlands. It feeds mainly on small mammals, amphibians, and lizards, and is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young. Although its bite can be painful, fatalities are extremely rare. The species is protected in several countries because of habitat loss and population declines. This female adder was photographed by the Grajcarek river in Szczawnica, Poland.

Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp

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