The Jacana is also known locally as the ‘Jesus bird,’ as it gives the impression of walking on water when it wades among the floating leaves of aquatic plants.

[5] Middle Quarters is famous for its crayfish, known locally as ‘hot pepper shrimps.’ The traps used by the fishermen are similar to those of the Niger River in Africa; knowledge of their making was brought to the island by slaves over 300 years ago.

American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) inhabit the swamps,[3] but the population has declined, due mainly to loss of habitat as heavy draining for agricultural or tourist destroys their nesting places.

The mangrove trees of the Lower Morass are sometimes spectacular with aerial roots sent out like spiders' legs, sometimes dropping 40 ft (12 m) into the river.

[5] Formerly, logwood tree trunks were floated down the Black River to the port to be shipped to England for making dyes.