Winter in the rest of the country finds the Everglades deep into their dry season, and despite the recent rains, this is the time of year that it's easy and more comfortable to visit the Everglades.  The oppressing humidity of summer is gone, as are the heavy afternoon thundershowers that drench the landscape. 

Most of the animals in the Everglades are affected by and dependent on the actions of the American Alligator, and the dry season is no exception.  The alligators make and maintain water holes by excavating vegetation into deep depressions they then inhabit for the dry season.  These wet holes ensure the alligator enough water for mating, and food sources in good supply so that the alligator will remain in good physical condition.

These holes are critically important to other species as they provide refuge for fish and other aquatic organisms as habitat dries out. Resources concentrate around the alligator holes, providing forage for birds, turtles, snakes, and mammals.  Later in the year, the alligator's towering nests will provide refuge for species less able to handle the flooding that occurs during the wet season. The paths that the alligators make through the Glades provide game trails for other animals and act as natural fire breaks helping to control the necessary wild fires that are natural to the Everglades environment.

There are fewer life sustaining alligator holes than in the past because of habitat loss due to development and agriculture.  As a result, many alligators will now stay near the deeper sloughs rather than build their own hole.  Restoring traditional alligator behavior is one of the goals of the Everglades Restoration Plan.