The most important thing is to be alert and stay out of areas rife with alligator activity. There have been 23 fatalities caused by wild alligators in Florida since 1973, among 383 unprovoked bites not caused by someone handling or intentionally harassing an alligator. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, walking into the kitchen to get a midnight snack — and then almost becoming a snack yourself. These reptiles are not pack animals; they typically hang out alone, and, therefore, it makes sense they would have no issue with killing off any competition to their livelihood. Then there’s the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park where brave souls can zip line over alligators and crocodiles, and Gatorama in Palmdale, east of Lake Okeechobee. Alligators are no strangers to cannibalism. For those who prefer a visual reference, that would be one alligator for every sixteen football fields of land in the state. The State of Florida has a nuisance alligator program and will respond quickly to any concerns. Alligators appear in multiple places around the continental United States, but they're most predominantly known for living in Florida because of the Everglades and a large number of swamps. There were crocodiles and alligators in the past, though they didn't look the same as the ones in existence today. But alligators keep their population in check. An estimated 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife. There are so many alligators in Florida, that it sometimes appears they are overpopulating. Many residents seek waterfront homes, and increasingly participate in water-related activities. Alligators are more numerous in Florida than crocodiles, are darker, have a broader snout, and are typically found in freshwater habitats. By viewing our video content, you are accepting the terms of our. Luckily for them—and not so much for us—alligators will regrow their teeth quickly. They can be found roaming pretty much all over the state. These Are Japan's Top Tourist Attractions (AKA The Most-Visited Places In The Country), 20 Weird Products They Sell At Costcos Around The World, Classic New Year's Even Appetizers That Never Went Out Of Style (But You Forgot About), Wondering How To Celebrate New Year's Eve During A Pandemic? In fact, alligators are so synonymous with the state that they are found in 67 counties, and the University of Florida even has an alligator as their mascot. A Florida woman is recovering from injuries she received when she was attacked by a 10-foot, 4-inch alligator while trimming trees in Fort Myers. Alligators eat a lot of gar. Male alligators tend to grow larger than females. Even backyards that do not border water have had alligators in them, because 'gators migrate from area to area. The media makes it seem worse than it is. Be mindful of where they are located at all times, RELATED: 10 Best Places To Visit In Florida. You might see an alligator swimming in a puddle on a crowded intersection or even visiting your neighbor's swimming pool. A family vacationing in South Florida last year came across an unlikely sight: a live gator on top of a gator pool float at their Airbnb. Aspics Were Born During The 14th Century, So Why Do They Have Such A Gross, Long-Standing Reputation? Kroboth earns a living tracking and capturing alligators. Now spotting an alligator in Florida isn’t difficult. Parts of South Florida’s Everglades National Park were closed due to flooding from Tropical Storm Eta on Friday, November 13, making it easier for the resident alligator to make its way across the flooded road. David Steen, the reptile and amphibian research leader of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there was “nothing unusual” about the size of the alligator. Florida residents know that we share the state with a large alligator population — an estimated 1.3 million to be exact! There are 1.3 million alligators in all 67 counties of Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, making run-ins an inevitability. The largest ever caught in the sunshine state reportedly measured up to a staggering 17.4 feet-long. Florida residents know that we share the state with a large alligator population — an estimated 1.3 million to be exact! Crocodile nests are often just holes in the side of a marl bank or on a beach. The Everglades Alligator Farm is a great stop for travelers heading to the Florida Keys who want to take an airboat ride and see a wildlife show. Be careful if you walk your dog or start swimming somewhere, be sure it … MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Not one, but two huge alligators were spotted recently taking leisurely strolls in Florida and the videos are going viral. It’s also home to more than 2,000 alligators. There are about 1.3 million wild alligators in Florida, according to an estimate from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Odds are, the alligator will release and retreat because they don't want to go after prey that could potentially harm them. The sheer size of the animal had many on social media questioning whether it was actually real. A juvenile alligator is more likely to be eaten by a big alligator than fall prey to another predator. The State of Florida has a nuisance alligator program and will respond quickly to any concerns. There are an estimated five million American alligators in the southeastern U.S. with a quarter of the alligator population in Florida. Le Chateau Frontenac Has A Pool, And Here's How Else You Can Keep The Kids Entertained, 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Loch Ness Monster, 10 Of The Most Haunted Places To Visit In Florida, 12 Embarrassing Photos Taken On Vacation With A Selfie Stick. They may be big, but they're surprisingly agile creatures. An American Alligator rests on the shore of the alligator lagoon at Everglades Alligator Farm in Homestead, Florida, on June 24, 2016. Both alligators and crocodiles will eat fruit, and even veggies, when available. More than a million alligators live throughout Florida, though the species remains listed as an endangered species because it closely resembles the … Most of us think of alligators as vicious, carnivorous predators, but did you know they are fond of eating fruit? Make Sure To Stop At These Under The Radar Cities, Kayak Has Revealed The Cheapest Destinations In The US For Spring 2021, 20 Strange (But Real) Pictures Captured At Disneyland, Your High School History Textbook May Have Left Out These Revolutionary War Tales, These Were The Most Popular Takeout Foods In 2020... And They're Not What We Expected, Clubbing In Berlin: How, Where And When To Visit The City's Most Iconic Clubs, Maine Is More Than Just Nature, These Historic Foods Are Worth The Road Trip, The 1919 Great Molasses Flood Was A Freak Accident, But Also Devastatingly Destructive For Boston, 20 Insane Ways Sheikhs In Dubai Love To Spend Their Money, The Best Aurora Borealis Photos Of 2020 Have Us Dreaming Of Far-Off Destinations, Super Nintendo World Opens This Winter In Japan, And This Is What Fans Can Expect. The parents were incensed about the attack and the fact the alligators were left to roam around. A juvenile alligator is more likely to be eaten by a big alligator than fall prey to another predator. Year after year we find that the Alligator Exhibit at the Aquarium is one of the most informative Key West Attractions because children and adults are always interested in learning information about alligators when they visit Florida. Alligators have taken on legendary status as predators to fear, especially for people who live in an area as populated with them as Florida is. Go to any fresh water source in Florida, whether it’s a lake or a river, and chances are there will be at least one alligator lurking around. They even like to hang out on golf courses. … They say there are 1000's of Gators in Lake Istokopoga and I dont want to jump in to challenge that claim. Most locals are aware of the alligators around and know how to steer clear of them. A lot of lakes, swamps, ponds and canals can have at least one or more alligators in them. Crocodiles can't tolerate temperatures less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Alligators in Florida: Postcard of West Bay Street in Jacksonville, where alligator souvenirs were sold. There have been 23 fatalities caused by Florida alligators since 1973. According to Newsweek, it is estimated that there are around 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Alligators first appeared during the Oligocene epoch about 37 million years ago. Alligators have inhabited Florida's marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties. Scientist Brian Switek stated that "crocodylians are capable of breaking down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in vegetable matter, so the fruit-eating by these archosaurs could be a nutritional supplement. According to Smithsonian Magazine, it has indeed been proven that alligators will enjoy the occasional elderberry, citrus fruit, or wild grapes if they find them out in the wild. It is a backwater river mostly without the typical banks found along most rivers. This is why so many people report finding Florida alligators in their fenced back yards each year. Alligators tend to eat their young to administer population control and ensure they don't have too much competition for food sources. The largest Florida alligator on record was just over 14 ft. in length. Some of them were more than 6-feet long. Go to any fresh water source in Florida, whether it’s a lake or a river, and chances are there will be at least one alligator lurking around. RELATED: 10 Best Bars In The Florida Keys. The response typically involves sending a licensed trapper to locate and remove the animal. In an article published in the Washington Post, it was reported that the park had more than 200 alligators removed between 2006 and 2015. The short answer is: yes, but not many. Florida is home to an estimated two million American alligators, which means there is an alligator for every twenty-one acres of land in the state of Florida. … In the days before the attack, six alligators were removed, and, in the days after, five more were removed. Here are ten facts you might not know about Flordia alligators. By comparison, humans only have about 52 teeth in their lifetime and two sets max. (SLIDESHOW: These Women On Instagram Hate Wearing Clothes) Take a look at the photos below. ', Florida Senator Marco Rubio On Biden: 'Talks Like Centrist, Governs Like Someone From The Far Left', Florida Quietly Launched Phone Appointment System For COVID-19 Vaccinations. Alligators, some of them babies, young, are all over Florida (except the zoos, cages of Disneyland), but it’s not wise to visit the swamplands (Everglades) of Southern Florida, since the gators there do not comprehend or respect the concept of “social distancing” & they have great eyesight, especially at night. Alligators have inhabited Florida's marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties. Alligators are native to only the United States, Mexico, and China.. American alligators are found in the southeast United States: all of Florida and Louisiana; the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi; coastal South and North Carolina; East Texas, the southeast corner of Oklahoma, and the southern tip of Arkansas.Louisiana has the largest alligator population. The alligator will be male if the temperature of the nest is above 93 degrees Fahrenheit during this incubation period. Punch, hit, kick, or attack the eyes of the gator that has sunk its teeth into you. Like ancient gods, they are celebrated and feared. Springs, alligators and bears in Northern Florida Posted by laurenwinslowllewellyn on November 5, 2016 January 5, 2019 After our first Floridian Spring we were hooked and excited to … “As a result from recent tropical weather, we are currently experiencing the highest water levels that we’ve seen since 1962 during this time of the year. Just like last week, there was an incident involving a massive alligator scaling a fence into a Navy base. A gigantic alligator has been spotted in Naples, Florida. We had family that ranged from 6 yrs old to over 60 and everyone really enjoyed it and I would highly recommend trying it if you are in the Lake Placid / Sebring area of Central Florida. To protect children and pets, fences need to be 5 feet or taller. This, … Its name is Fort Lauderdale. Alligator bites are serious, but injuries caused by the massive reptiles are rare in Florida, according to the FWC. Record Number Of Invasive Pythons Removed From Florida Everglades. RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images Florida’s official state reptile was named the American alligator back in 1987. There are probably more than 1 million alligators in Florida, most of them live in South Florida, but also a lot can be found in the Orlando area. Set right near the entrance of Everglades National Park, the Everglades Alligator Farm is the oldest of its kind in south Florida. Many residents seek waterfront homes, and increasingly participate in water-related activities. In fact, in our state alone there is an estimated 1.2 million alligators! In a pair of photos taken by Jeff Jones and tweeted by WINK News reporter Matt Devitt, an incredibly large gator can be seen strolling through a residential area. Florida Wildlife: Alligators pound front door of Fort Myers home. It was a huge bear skat and as we looked up at the second largest lake in Florida Craig said “there’s an alligator!” Yet long before official recognition, giant alligators ran the untamed swamps of Florida. A family vacationing in South Florida last year came across an unlikely sight: a live gator perched on top of a gator pool float at their Airbnb. However, when you compare that to car crash statistics, it pales in comparison. Male alligators tend to grow larger than females. An alligator was recently spotted taking a dip and catching some rays near Panama City Beach, Fla. Lisa Powell Niemiec was quick to take to Facebook with … A lot of lakes, swamps, ponds and canals can have at least one or more alligators in them. Now there are signs up warning guests about the possibility of encountering a gator in certain areas. You are very likely to run into these reptiles during your Everglades airboat tour , and you may be wondering what the difference is between the two. Initially, scientists thought this was a practice specific to the reptiles raised in captivity, but studies have been conducted on wild alligators as well. Are there alligators in the Florida Keys? In recent years, Florida has experienced tremendous human population growth. But residents for Fort Myers, Florida, say they've had a few encounters with alligators that have been too close for comfort, the Huffington Post first reported.. The only place to satisfy all of your guilty pleasures. -- Take a look at an enormous alligator that stopped golfers in their tracks in Florida on Wednesday. When people say alligators are all over the place in Florida, they're not lying. Meet Andrew … The Ocala forest is home to over 1000 according to an article I read and we saw our first bit of evidence right next to a bench on the shores of Lake George. “They’re out there,” said ‘Gator Girl’ Kristy Kroboth of the massive alligator spotted on a Naples, Florida golf course. Gatorama is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since 1957. Alligators are everywhere in Florida – official estimates suggest there may be more than 1.25 million of them in Florida’s waters. Florida alligators are showing their true flexibility and range -- social media has caught one climbing a fence and another swimming in a flooded road. ", RELATED: 10 Of The Most Haunted Places To Visit In Florida. Statewide, 6,700 nuisance alligators were killed or relocated in 2017. MORE FROM CBSMIAMI.COM But in short, there's nothing unusual about this alligator or the video," he said on Twitter. The largest Florida alligator on record was just over 14 ft. in length. ... To Geshel's surprise, there were two alligators around 7 feet in length outside her Pelican Preserve home in Fort Myers. Florida Alligators: What You Need To Know - New Port Richey, FL - With an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida, there are things residents and visitors need to know to stay safe. In fact, alligators are so synonymous with the state that they are found in 67 counties, and the University of Florida even has an alligator as their mascot. "Not to scare people, but there are over a million of them and they are all around." They say there are 1000's of Gators in Lake Istokopoga and I dont want to jump in to challenge that claim. 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