Cypress swamps play a unique role in animal ecology. They do do not have a distinct fauna, sharing many species with adjacent plant comunities. Benthic invertebrates form the base of the food chain. A high diversity of invertebrates has been recorded for cypress domes and dwarf cypress savannas. Bird densities are higher in cypress swamps in winter than during breeding season, largely due to the presence of wintering birds that breed elsewhere.
Most mammals occurring in cypress swamps occupy ecotones.
In the absence of fire, cypresses are succeeded by hardwoods. The resulting community is similar to that found in cypress domes in closed depressions. Distinct seasonal communities dominate cypress swamps. On a dwarf cypress savanna study site in Big Cypress Swamp, the water table was above ground level for approximately 4 months between July and November. Further away from the pond, the trees are shorter.