Salty Swamp A swamp is a wetland in a forest. Large trees, shrubs, and other woody plants grow there. Shallow water usually covers a swamp all of the time. T ere are two main kinds of swamps. Each
has a unique ecosystem. One kind of swamp is salty. It forms along coasts. T ere, the ocean tides ebb and flow. Salty seawater flows into and out of these swamps. T e Everglades is a good example of a
salty swamp. It stretches along the coast of the southeastern United States. At low tide, water rushes out to the sea. It
leaves parts of the Everglades uncovered. Soupy mud and sand bake in the hot sun. T e scrubby mangrove trees usually look
like they’re growing on top of the water. Now they look like they’re standing on stilts. T eir roots start high up on their trunks. T e roots curve down and dig into the mud.
T e roots make a great hiding place for animals like a mangrove tree crab. In low tide, the crab crawls across the mud. It picks up small bits of food with its pincers. T en the tide starts to come in. Salty water
swirls around the trees’ roots. An alligator swims by. It sees the crab. T e crab quickly scoots under a mangrove. It’s safe among the maze of roots.
Capybaras splash through shallow wetland waters.
Freshwater Swamp A second kind of swamp forms inland, near big rivers. During the rainy season, the rivers flood. Fresh water gushes into nearby wetlands. One of the largest freshwater swamps is in
South America. It’s called the Pantanal. During the wet season, this swamp comes to life. Towering fig and palm trees use their roots
to suck up water. Freshwater stingrays and colorful tropical fish swim in the water. Flocks of birds come to hunt these fish. A
jabiru stork stands quietly in the water. Every now and then, it stabs the water with its long beak. T en it tosses its head up. A silvery fish flashes in its beak. It swallows its fishy catch. Nearby, big rodents splash in the water.
T ey’re capybaras, the world’s largest rodents. T ey’re built for life in a swamp. T ey use webbed feet to paddle through the water, looking for plants to eat. Oſt en only their eyes, ears, and nostrils peek above the water. T e wet season doesn’t last long. Soon, the
Pantanal enters its dry season. T e water levels drop. Dry land emerges. Still, life goes on in this swamp. Pink
trumpet trees bloom. Large mammals come to graze and find food for their young. Bush dogs, tapirs, and anteaters roam. Tiny monkeys swing from tree to tree. Rare jaguars and ocelots prowl through this swamp.
20 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXTREME EXPLORER
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