Deer in the Everglades are much smaller than their counterparts further north. These include the infamous mosquitoes, gnats and the larger deer flies, and horseflies. Dragonflies are quite abundant and feed on other bugs like mosquitoes. May flies, water bugs, and water beetles are widely distributed. Leeches are not too common, but can be found on turtles and alligators.
Prawns flourish in flooded marshes where they are sheltered by aquatic plants.
The various species of fish found within the Everglades are derived from temperate North America and the West Indies. The fish, in turn, are prey for a large variety of other predators and scavengers. The rapid life cycle of the smaller fishes of the Everglades allows them to serve as indicators for change in habitat quality. Studies suggest that the disruption of the natural pattern of water quantity, hydroperiod and spatial distribution has had a negative effect on the marsh fish communities which likely has led to the decline in wading bird nesting. The different types of species of fish in the Everglades have grown in recent years due largely to fish imported from Africa and South America.