User:Bcolantuono/Shark Valley-Everglades National Park

History
Why is it called Shark Valley? The Valley Part.... During different periods of geologic history, the state of Florida has been both much wider than it is currently (more water held in ice caps) or completely covered by a shallow sea. As it stands now, our state lies on a foundation of limestone. On both the east and west coasts of the peninsula we are bordered by limestone ridges--the Atlantic Coastal Ridge on the east coast and the Naples Plateau on the west. Both of these ridges stand about 18-20 feet above sea level. Part of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge can still be seen in downtown Miami! Everything in the middle stands approximately 7-8 feet above sea level. So in the strictest sense of the word, we are in a "Valley." Maybe not by Swiss standards, but a valley none-the-less. The Shark Part... Some of the water that flows through the Shark Valley Slough feeds into the Shark River. Shark River got its unusual name from the Bull Shark. This species is special in two ways: firstly, the females bear their offspring live, secondly, this species has a glandular capacity to retain or expel salt as their body needs it. So, the bull shark oftentimes swims into brackish or fresh water principally for 2 reasons: 1. Their offspring cannot tolerate the full salinity of ocean water, and 2. Both the male and female will swim inland to hunt. So, the first settlers saw the shark fins in the river and named it "Shark River." Are there sharks in Shark Valley? No. Could they swim the distance to SV? certainly, but the average depth of our water is only 3-4 feet which is not adequate for such a large shark.