Cypress swamps and sloughs provide habitat for many animal species considered threatened or endangered, such as the white ibis. Air plants, ferns, orchids and lilies are often found perched on tree buttresses and limbs in the swamp. Freshwater marshes are the open areas found along lakes and contain low-growing species such as grasses and cattails. Sawgrass marshes are dominated by tall, sometimes impenetrable sawgrass and found in and adjacent to the Everglades. Wet prairies are shallow basins covered with grasses and other low plants adapted to growing in wet areas, providing habitat for foxes, turtles, lizards, snakes and fish.
Wet prairies can also remain dry for long periods of time.