“That is the biggest mistake,” state trapper Mark Moniz said. Only found in the Southeast United States, their name comes from Spanish settlers when the creatures were discovered in Florida. Wakulla, south of Tallahassee, is one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. “Everybody thinks, ‘Alligators, oh they are big and scary!” But they are not going to eat people just to eat people, they are not going to eat your dogs and cats just to eat them. That might quality for an “only in Florida” label. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Find out where Floridians called to report a “nuisance” gator in 2020. “They think they are feeding the fish but they are actually feeding the alligators too.”. I’ve gone swimming near sunset at crystal river On the west coast and have enjoyed a great swim until persons on the dock advised me that red eyes were looking at me thinking I The ancient reptiles sun themselves on golf courses, inhabit wildlife theme parks, cruise around freshwater lakes, rule the Everglades and occasionally hit the news when they stroll through subdivisions. Alligators If you think of Florida, a lot of people think of alligators.A lot of people will also probably think about the Florida Gators, but right now we are talking about the American alligator. Large populations are found in Florida, southern Georgia, and Louisiana. (Data: Florida Fish and Wildlife, Mapping: Donovan Myrie.). which is being published April 1, 2020, by Lyons Press Baby Alligators for Sale! They get used to us very, very quickly,” said Fisher standing near several dozen alligators in one of Gatorland’s feeding pit. Seeing gators on the state’s lakes is most likely the experience of fishermen who are on the hunt for bass and sunfish. Alligators naturally fear humans, wildlife experts said. Brevard County had the most calls statewide for troublesome gators. Moniz, a trapper for 16 years out of Polk County, said he also gets calls to trap gators that are too close to other people’s pets. Safety is super important, so only 1 person can go in at a time and you must be 18 or older to participate. The alligators were recently seen … 2. Gatorland is home to more than 2,000 alligators, it is also fittingly Central Florida’s first major tourist attraction. (We mapped out this data for you! An elevated one-mile walkway guides visitors through Sawgrass Lake Park, a natural oasis in densely populated Pinellas County in St. Petersburg. They are commonly found all over Florida and Louisiana, as well as in Southern parts of Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. Alligators In Texas Map - Alligators In Texas Map , Close Encounter with A Texas Gator Picture Of Sea Rim State Park Annie Miller S son S Swamp and Marsh tours Houma 2019 All You Colorado Gators A Haven for the “There is a house that is supposedly feeding him.”. Here are some of the best places to see alligators in Florida: The Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park is on U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail in Miami, and you're sure to see an abundance of alligators there. If [the gator has] threatened people or animals, they usually harvest them.”. That is considered “bull gator” status, and locally, Lake Poinsett on the St. Johns River, Lake Kissimmee in Osceola County, and Lake Jesup in Seminole County had the largest population of “bull” alligators (or alligators longer than nine feet). The Shark Valley entrance is on U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail in Miami. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Lake George near the St. Johns River in northwest Florida has the most, with more than 2,300. The largest population of gators live in Gainesville, FL. Gatorama is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since 1957. Alligators can be found in fresh and brackish bodies of water - including lakes, rivers, canals and golf course ponds - and there's an estimated 6.7 million acres of … If the map doesn’t load, click this link here. Since Florida alligators don’t pay much attention to roadside barriers or property lines, many drivers and pedestrians have learned the hard way to keep their eyes peeled in the Sunshine State. Here are some of the best places to see alligators in Florida: The Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park is on U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail in Miami, and you're sure to see an abundance of alligators there. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. In recent years, Florida has experienced tremendous human population growth. You won’t likely leave the Ocala National Forest north of Orlando without seeing a gator or two. Alligators in Florida are wild reptiles that are apex predators! Not a theme park exactly, but the Florida Aquarium in Tampa has a wonderful exhibit of baby gators in which they can be spied above and below the water through a glass wall. ORLANDO, Fla. – If you live in Central Florida, alligators can show up anytime, anywhere. “13.6-feet,” he said proudly. They can be found in the Southeastern parts of the United States. This World Heritage Site is billed as “the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States” and there are loads of gators living here. Alligator Attraction in Madeira Beach on Florida’s west coast, is a smaller stop that’s good for kids who want to give a gator a smooch, while Jungle Adventures, near Merritt Island on the Space Coast, features all sorts of Florida critters plus a jungle swamp river cruise. Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. They live in freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes. Alligators are native to the United States and China. A caveat to those who want to see gators in their natural habitats (and we are not talking football players at the University of Florida): Don’t feed them. Lake Kissimmee State Park, 15 miles east of Lake Wales, is an excellent place for campers, birders, paddlers and even RV lovers to get a taste of natural Florida, and that includes gator viewing. Along the Tamiami Trail, which runs through the Miccosukee Indian reservation, are companies offering airboat rides (and sometimes kayak rentals), among them Wooten’s, Tigertail, Osceola and Buffalo Tiger. Among the state’s gator attractions are GatorWorld Parks in Wildwood near Orlando. Florida alligators are showing their true flexibility and range -- social media has caught one climbing a fence and another swimming in a flooded road. Southern Florida is the only place where both alligators and crocodiles live side by side. View our privacy policy. Unlike the other extinct alligator species of the same genus, the fossil skull was virtually indistinguishable from that of the modern American alligator. This drive-thru park guides visitors in their cars through the park and past specially designed pools where about 400 gators swim and feed. Bring binoculars. Appearance: Crocodiles have longer and more pointed snouts and are lighter in colour and alligators have shorter and more rounded snouts which are stronger than a crocodile, they are also darker in colour. News 6 found, at least once a day on average, Florida alligators and human habitats collide. “Once you hand feed an alligator, once you touch a wild alligator, that is it. Only 23 people in Florida have died from unprovoked alligator attacks since 1948, as of April data from the commission. It began as a British colony in 1733, the last and southernmost of the native Thirteen Colonies to be established. That increased to 7,114 last year, according to FWC data. Alligators In Florida Map – alligator population in florida map, alligators in florida map, where do alligators live in florida map, We make reference to them typically basically we vacation or have tried them in colleges as well as in our lives for … They’re living dinosaurs we can observe today. 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. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Historically, alligators ranged from southern Virginia to the Florida Keys, west to the Rio Grande and up to southern Oklahoma. Scroll down to see if alligators were spotted in your neighborhood.). Even if you don’t stay in the lodge, stroll through the lobby and check out Old Joe, an 11-foot taxidermy gator, shot dead by a poacher in 1966. 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. at cafes or nearby restaurants. Merris is the recipient of a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, a Suncoast Regional Emmy Award, four Suncoast Emmy Regional nominations, and two first-place Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists’ Awards. Today, the American alligator can be found throughout the southeastern United States from the Carolinas to Texas and north to Arkansas (Figure 2). Polk County deputies were called to deal with a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator wrestling with itself near a middle school. Alligators go where they want, which includes yards, golf courses and anywhere else food might be available. Fun fact – The Florida Everglades is the only place on earth in which both alligators and crocodiles coexist. Ride bikes on paths or walk over boardwalks and you’re sure to see a few gators, especially if you paddle the river in canoe or kayak. All material © 2001-2021 by VISIT FLORIDA®, all rights reserved. You can rest assured that each one is home to gators. While the Everglades are teeming with gators – about 200,000 – there are many other spots to have a safe encounter. Either way, you’re guaranteed to see some big guys. VISIT FLORIDA® is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, especially moms and babies. FWC state data shows 380 people reported alligators that were a little too close for comfort last year. In short, American alligators – some 1.3 million of them – are all over the state. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. It wouldn’t be unusual to see 100 to 120 gators on the banks. At these attractions, visitors can observe alligators at feeding times, hold and pet baby gators and also hear expert lectures, plus maybe have some lunch (gator bites anyone?) Same-day permits are issued but try to get to the park by 8 a.m. if you haven’t reserved one, and bring camera, water and sunscreen. We met with Brandon Fisher, a … "It was quite intimidating at first to see such a huge number of potentially dangerous animals, but I soon realised that these alligators were more interested in … They can be found roaming pretty much all over the state. Corkscrew can be enjoyed by traversing the 2.5-mile elevated boardwalk through pine flatwoods leading to the wet prairie, around a marsh, and finally into the world’s largest remaining virgin bald cypress forest. Winter is the best season for alligator watching, mostly because they come out of the cooler water to catch the warm rays. American alligators live in freshwater environments, such as ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, … At five locations along the coast of west Florida, large ponds of baby gators are a big attraction. An Hillsborough River State Park is natural respite close to Tampa and the urban sprawl of the area. Award-winning investigative reporter Merris Badcock joined the News 6 team in October 2020. Alligators are often spied from the walking trails. A visitor center will help you find the best places to spy the prehistoric beasts. In 2016, the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program in Florida received 12,759 nuisance alligator complaints, resulting in removal of 8,050 alligators. There are plenty of gators in the river, which runs through 57 square miles, but the truly adventurous take the easy five-mile round trip hike to Deep Hole, a sinkhole on the edge of the river that attracts dozens of gators. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. One state trapper said most of the time people feed alligators and the animals become used to humans. Look for gators in the lakes and canals. The prehistoric reptiles are an important part of the state’s ecosystem. For more information, call us at 321-735-9400 today.Florida is a beautiful place where sun, sand, and surf all meet. However, of the nearly 400 calls, most of the documented sightings happened at public parks or residential areas near wetlands. Minnesota calls itself the land of lakes with its 10,000 watery holes, but Florida has about 30,000. Here you can take tram tours and rent bicycles to ride on the paths. Learn more about some of the popular and safe places to Kayak in Florida without sharks and alligators. Florida residents know that we share the state with a large alligator population — an estimated 1.3 million to be exact! Boaters, paddlers and fishermen see plenty. Central Florida’s first major tourist attraction. (Data: Florida Fish and Wildlife, Mapping: Donovan Myrie. 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. “These guys here at Gatorland are used to us, so that makes them a little bit more dangerous than alligators in the wild.”. Gators in captivity are the draw at several places around the state. He explained both native Floridians and newcomers alike are often fascinated by alligators, and sometimes folks mistake the small alligator living in the retention pond in your neighborhood as a kind of neighborhood pet. The Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the Western Everglades is 13,000 acres of natural Florida east of Interstate 75 in Collier County and 45 miles northeast of Naples. Named after King George II of great Britain, the Province of Georgia covered the place from South Carolina south to Spanish Florida and west to French Louisiana at the Mississippi River. However, that's not to say that they wouldn't go after a cow if given the opportunity! Where to see alligators in Florida Photographing an alligator before I had a good telephoto lens. I recently Googled if there are Alligators or Crocodiles in the Florida Keys. Water runs along both sides of the roads and passengers with keen eyes can spy gators swimming along or sunning on the banks. ), and boat rides. Almost any body of water in Florida has alligators. Orange County came in 4th. The state’s Living with Alligators brochure provides more useful tips. Fun fact – The Florida Everglades is the only place on earth in which both alligators and crocodiles coexist. The largest he’s ever caught? And while that can be scary, alligators … Here you’ll find a large swimming area, a 22-foot diving platform and observation deck, a historic lodge with restaurant and casual café (ice cream! When News 6 went to one of those residential areas in north Lakeland, we met a girl and her grandmother: two people who called twice about nuisance gators during 2020. American alligators inhabit most of the southeastern United States; primarily Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. Only 30 daily permits are issued to this wilderness area and rangers suggest you pick a sunny day with little wind. Alligators Alligators have inhabited Florida's marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties. The answer I got varied from “there are, but their shy and stay away from humans.” To “The American Crocodiles numbers were as low as 300, but have Please contact us to send a comment or to report a problem. Florida residents saw the gator in question talking a dip in the waters off Vanderbilt Beach, which lies on the state's western coast, NBC2 … They are a very protective animal,” Fisher said. “Whether it is a myth or not, I always heard growing up you could take a stone and skip it on Lake Jesup and hit like ten alligators. They get scared. But gators don't stay confined to the swampy areas. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends we stay at least 60 feet away when observing in the wild. Ranger-led boat tours take visitors out on the river for about 45 minutes. A small population is also found in Tamaulipas, in Mexico. “When it threatens a human or animal, it is usually harvested. News 6 contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the state agency designated to deal with nuisance gators. Live animal prices vary. The Underwater Alligator Experience is all done through The Everglades Outpost in Homestead Florida. I live in Fort Lauderdale, and along the South Florida coast, at least, alligators are only He says he wasn't scared here in Florida, but knew he had to watch his step. No, the gators don’t play putt-putt, but for humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, there’s a reptile experience. Where to Swim With Alligators in Florida Written by Travel Bugged on December 4, 2019 The lovely Wakulla Springs State Park located just a short drive from Tallahassee, Florida is one of the most beautiful state parks in the panhandle of Florida and is a part of the Real Florida. (Scroll down to see which Florida lakes have the most “bull” alligators.). The frequency of serious, unprovoked alligator bites has grown in Florida, along with the state's population -- but fatal attacks remain rare. Cloud, another at a school in Sanford and at least five gators were spotted at Publix stores across the state. How can you see alligators in the Everglades? Spring is breeding season and the low growls of amorous males fill the air. “Lake Jesup actually used to be a dumping site for alligators in the state,” said Fisher. Lake Kissimmee near Orlando comes in second with just shy of 2,000. Hiding in the thick marshland, alligators in Florida will usually eat insects, amphibians, fish, snakes, turtles, and other small mammals. Gators were once on the brink of extinction in the Sunshine State but aggressive conservation efforts reversed their decline. ), Find out which body of water in Florida has the most “bull” gators, using the map below. Alligators in Florida are a common sight in the wild and well worth seeing. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County is a grand spot for alligator watching. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. Billie Swamp Safari in Clewiston, north of Alligator Alley, has swamp buggy tours and airboat rides plus a twilight expedition. Alligators are freshwater animals, and since Florida is riddled with freshwater lakes and canals, the habitat for alligators is very widespread. If the map doesn’t load, click this link here. 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. The main entrance is in Homestead and that leads to the Flamingo Visitor Center and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Gators hide when it’s windy. Lakes abound and rivers run through the forest giving alligators plenty of spots to do their thing. The question of where to see alligators in Florida might be better phrased, where don’t you see alligators in Florida? Also, keep your distance. At the end, there’s a platform to observe and feed the reptiles. Merritt Island State Wildlife Refuge east of Titusville on the Space Coast is home to many Florida critters, including gators. Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. We met with Brandon Fisher, a gator expert who still has all 10 fingers and toes despite his day job. Climb the Shark Valley tower at the visitors center to get a bird’s-eye view of the amazing “river of grass.”. For example, the “gator holes” where they collect food and occasionally sleep hold water in the dry season, creating places of refuge and sustenance for fish, insects, snakes, turtles and birds. Chris will be with you at all times during your terrifyingly cool … In 2016, a Miocene (about 23 to 5.3 Mya) fossil skull of an alligator was found at Marion County, Florida. Everglades Holiday Park, a wildlife preserve and theme park on 29 acres near Fort Lauderdale, is home for Animal Planet's "Gator Boys" TV show, and features daily gator shows. Gatorama is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since 1957. “There was a (trapper) who came out here once, but (the gator) went into the drain,” said the girl, who named the 4-foot animal Freddy. “If somebody is fearful of it, they call in and we have to respond to it. Gatorland is home to more than 2,000 alligators, it is also fittingly Central Florida’s first major tourist attraction. If the map doesn’t load, click this link here. Also in Orlando is Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park that is home to about 2,000 gators. Let us count the ways. Lots of golfers start or end their round of miniature golf by feeding the alligators. That is illegal and can condition them to associate food with people. Areas with the highest removals are in and around Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Fort Myers and Jacksonville. There are a lot of them there, I know that. This a good multi-generational excursion that provides a gentle experience, plus the boats are handicap accessible. They provide the sound mufflers to protect ears from the roar of the motor and make it a point of getting riders as close as possible to alligators. You have basically signed his death certificate. Found in ponds, wetlands, marshes, swamps, lakes, and rivers, gators increase plant diversity and provide habitat for other animals during droughts. Last updated on May 5th, 2020 at 07:55 pm. In freezing temperatures in southeastern Oklahoma, a group of alligators have to find someway to survive. To report a nuisance gator, or find a licensed trapper, click on this link here. Besides gators, which often are spied sunning next to turtles, you will see all manner of Florida birds. Call (941) 361-6511 for details. To answer the question, News 6 went to Gatorland. This is a way to see alligators in a more organized, controlled fashion. News 6 also found other notable nuisance cases, including a “10-footer” in Debary, six gators together in St. The two highways through the Everglades and across the state are Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) and U.S 41 (Tamiami Trail) to its south. If we do not and something happens, I would feel bad myself.”, Moniz, who traps alligators only part-time, said he gets about $7 a foot for harvested gators. While gator encounters often make headlines, News 6 wanted to know just how frequent are those sightings, and where are Florida alligators spotted the most? And you’ll have plenty of places in captivity or the wild to choose from when you set out to observe some of the remaining creatures of the dinosaur age.