WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (November 25, 2020) – Have you ever seen alligator snot? The Everglades rarely reveal its secrets to the casual observer. Grassy Waters Preserve of West Palm Beach, a remnant of the Everglades, offers a unique window into the soul of the ‘River of Grass.’  Despite the brown stained water, a result of the tannic acids that leech out from the pine and cypress needles that fall into the wetlands throughout the year, the water is surprisingly clear. 

If you look closely in the water, you may see green blobs clinging casually to the aquatic plants. Alligators like humans produce their crocodilian version of mucous from their nostrils (referred to commonly as “snot”) to rid their bodies of viruses and bacteria. The gelatinous and jellylike nodules are a colony of several different species of microscopic animals and plants living peacefully together.

In the case of alligator snot, the primary creatures living in this ball of gelatinous slime is a one-celled animal known as Ophrydium versatile. Under the microscope, Ophrydium looks like thousands of tiny hairs. The Ophrydium uses two rows of tiny hair-like oars to pull currents of water into their mouths. These currents carry unsuspecting prey into the Ophrydium’s mouth including bacteria, algae, and other one-cell animals.

Deeper inside the gelatinous mass can be found large numbers of one-celled algae. These algae produce oxygen for the Ophyrdium and food in the form of sugar for the Ophyrdium. The Ophrydium, in return, produces carbon dioxide and fertilizer in the form of waste for the algae to use. Together, all these plants and animals make a veritable microscopic zoo.

It does not take much to be a true intrepid explorer of the Everglades. The greatest mysteries are often found in the most obscure places, frequently small and often camouflaged. That is the joy of venturing outside in the fabled Florida Everglades at Grassy Waters Preserve of West Palm Beach.

Grassy Waters Preserve is located at 8264 Northlake Blvd. in the City of West Palm Beach. The preserve serves as the drinking water supply source for the City of West Palm Beach, which provides water to the Town of Palm Beach and the Town of South Palm Beach. For more information on Grassy Waters Preserve public programs available under the COVID-19 safety guidelines, call (561) 804-4895 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or visit: https://www.wpb.org/government/public-utilities/grassy-waters-preserve/public-program-calendar .