Swamp Wildlife

With an abundance of nutrient rich water flowing through the swamp from the Mississippi River, the Atchafalaya is one of the richest areas in the country in regard to diversity of wildlife.

This perfect habitat is home to over 100 species of fish and crustaceans. These large populations of fish and the vast stands of trees across the swamp also support more than 270 bird species that flock to the area. In fact, the Atchafalaya supports half of America’s migratory waterfowl and provides the most important habitat for Neotropical migratory land birds and other birds of the Mississippi Flyway.

More so than any other animal, the American alligator has come to represent the swamp. Once endangered, nearly 2 million alligators now live in the wild across Louisiana. These apex predators can grow up to 14 feet in length and have between 74 and 80 teeth in their mouth at any given time.

All wildlife images provided by Darlene Boucher.