Honey Island Swamp facts for kids
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The Honey Island Swamp is a large marshland in eastern Louisiana, in a place called St. Tammany Parish. It got its sweet name because many honey bees used to live on a nearby island.
This swamp is bordered by U.S. 11 to the north and Lake Borgne to the south. To the east, you'll find the Pearl River, and to the west, the West Pearl River. The swamp is part of the Pearl River wildlife management area. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries helps to manage and protect it.
The Honey Island Swamp is special because it's one of the most natural river swamps in the United States. It stretches over 20 miles (30 km) long and nearly 7 miles (10 km) wide. A big part of it, about 35,619 acres (144 km²), is officially protected as a wildlife area. This means it stays wild and natural for the animals and plants that live there.
Animals of the Honey Island Swamp
The Honey Island Swamp is home to many different animals. You can find many kinds of reptiles here, like the American alligator, the alligator snapping turtle, and the red-eared slider. There are also snakes, such as the Western cottonmouth and the speckled kingsnake.
Many mammals also live in the swamp. These include the coypu, red fox, Louisiana black bear, bobcat, opossum, raccoon, muskrat, and the American mink.
If you look up, you might see many birds flying around. Some of the birds that call the swamp home are the brown pelican, barred owl, bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, egretta, and the great blue heron.
The waters of the swamp are full of fish too. You can find the alligator gar, largemouth bass, and the unique paddlefish swimming in its rivers and bayous.
The Honey Island Swamp Monster Legend
The Honey Island Swamp is also famous for a local legend! Some people believe a mysterious creature lives deep within the swamp. This creature is often described as a large, two-legged, ape-like humanoid. It sounds a lot like other famous creatures, such as Bigfoot or the Skunk ape. While no one has proven it exists, the stories add to the swamp's mysterious charm.
See also
In Spanish: Pantano de la Isla Honey para niños
