![]() This change in the local environment caused a sharp decrease in the population of the native snails, and this put pressure on the species that hunt them. With the increased development in the areas surrounding the Everglades, ecosystems that used to be ideal for the snails are now either drained of water or flooded to fit the needs of their human neighbors. ![]() These snails thrive in the shallow, slow-moving freshwaters of South Florida, and one of their historic strongholds was the Everglades. The native Florida Apple Snail is a staple food for some animals like the Limpkin and Snail Kite, but due to changing environments from human expansion, the native populations of these snails are on the decline. An adult female Snail Kite feeding on a large invasive apple snail. Their diet is almost entirely based on Apple Snails, and this specialization has given them some amazing adaptations! Their long, sharp talons accurately pluck the snail out of the shallow water, and thin, curved mandible (upper bill) to reach around the bend of the shell to collect the meat. These are some of the most endangered raptors in North America, but now that the Florida, South American, and Caribbean populations have been lumped into one overarching species they are internationally listed as least concerned, while the Florida and United States governments continue to have it listed as an endangered species with around 400 breeding pairs. ![]() ![]() Snail Kites, formerly known as Apple or Everglades Snail Kites, are an extremely specialized bird. ![]()
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