An alligator's snout is broad and has a U-shape, while a crocodile's snout is more narrow with a V-shape. PREVIOUS: Alligator hunter suffers possible loss of arm in attack on Lake Jesup, investigators say On average, since 1948, Florida has an average of five unprovoked bites per year. For that, FWC biologists need an airboat and lights for the nighttime excursion. If you call the nuisance hotline … Alligator attacks are uncommon but they still happen (Florida has had 24 fatal attacks in 60 years). Alligators are not particularly dangerous, but they still pose a risk. Hillsborough River State Park is natural respite close to Tampa and the urban sprawl of the area. At Lake Jesup, 1,599 were counted at one time with 52 at 9 feet or larger, and at a second counting, they found 1,151 with 60 big ones. Gators have killed about 50 people since we've been keeping track," said FWC Officer Brian Baine. Let us count the ways. Spring is breeding season and the low growls of amorous males fill the air. Florida alligator bite statistics date back to 1948, ranging around three major bites per 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. 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. Boaters, paddlers and fishermen see plenty. The lake that had the most gators overall was Lake George, located on the St. Johns River. Bring binoculars. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. News 6 went along for the ride. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates there are 1.3 million gators statewide and about 13,000 in Lake Jesup. Seeing gators on the state’s lakes is most likely the experience … The wildlife (and death) scene went down on a Florida lake after some hunters had shot down the duck. The Shark Valley entrance is on U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail in Miami. The state’s Living with Alligators brochure provides more useful tips. On this particular trip, they're hunting for little gators and releasing them, all while avoiding the huge ones like a 12-footer they came across. Grace Eberhart, 70, female: October 3, 1993: She was killed by one or more alligators at Lake Serenity, Sumter County, Florida. Lots of golfers start or end their round of miniature golf by feeding the alligators. The largest Florida alligator on record was just over 14 ft. in length. Look for gators in the lakes and canals. News 6 anchor Matt Austin took to Sky 6 to see if he could spot any monster gators. They say there are 1000's of Gators in Lake Istokopoga and I dont want to jump in to challenge that claim. Over Lake Jesup, Austin saw a couple of gators sunbathing on a private beach. 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?) Gators in captivity are the draw at several places around the state. ), and boat rides. A huge alligator eats a duck on a lake in Florida after hunters shot the bird. Run straight away from an alligator, not zigzag. You won’t likely leave the Ocala National Forest north of Orlando without seeing a gator or two. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Lake George near the St. Johns River in northwest Florida has the most, with more than 2,300. Orlando topped … 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! Billie Swamp Safari in Clewiston, north of Alligator Alley, has swamp buggy tours and airboat rides plus a twilight expedition. Lake Jesup is one of the largest lakes in Central Florida, one of many that make up the St. Johns River. It's a shallow lake and dubiously famous for it's alligator population, but it's a big slice of the "real" Florida. Most people know alligators get just about everywhere in Florida, but now they’ve really leveled up. Alligators are very fond of eating small animals like dogs and cats. The lake boasts one of the longest free-standing bridges, part of the Seminole Expressway, which bisec… Alligators are the thing here. 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. On the last Saturday of Florida’s alligator hunting season, Richie Smith and Alex Horton get ready for the water. at cafes or nearby restaurants. Besides gators, which often are spied sunning next to turtles, you will see all manner of Florida birds. As far as Lake Apopka, it, too, was surveyed twice with 1,014 gators with 46 bulls at one time, 788 gators with 21 bulls at another. View our privacy policy. 4. Florida is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist. The team scans the water with several bright lights. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. In fact, Florida is the flattest state in the country. Lake Kissimmee near Orlando comes in second with just shy of 2,000. The response typically involves sending a licensed trapper to locate and remove the animal. Wildlife officials shot the alligator, which was still holding the lifeless body of the boy 20 hours later. 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. After catching the alligator, it's time for paperwork, and the gator-wranglers look more like medics. Florida is renowned as one of the towed water sports capitals of the world due to year round subtropical climate and ample access to tree-lined lakes. Alligators are often spied from the walking trails. It is named in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Jesup, an American military officer who served in the Second Seminole War. "Just because alligators scare you, just because sharks scare you, does not mean they are not important part of the environment," said Baine. Winter is the best season for alligator watching, mostly because they come out of the cooler water to catch the warm rays. 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. There's a lot of lakes in Florida that are artificially created that don't naturally have alligators like the lakes that they make inside of resort communities. 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. 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. Gators hide when it’s windy. Either way, you’re guaranteed to see some big guys. Alligators. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County is a grand spot for alligator watching. Catching a glimpse of an alligator, especially near one of Central Florida's lakes, is not a surprise. On another survey trip by FWC, they counted 276 gators, 76 of which were bull gators. Also in Orlando is Gatorland, a 110-acre theme park that is home to about 2,000 gators. Only 30 daily permits are issued to this wilderness area and rangers suggest you pick a sunny day with little wind. Minnesota calls itself the land of lakes with its 10,000 watery holes, but Florida has about 30,000. She died of a broken neck caused by an alligator bite to the throat and head. In one survey, FWC counted 2,322 gators, 26 of which were bull gators. Brunell and another biologist, Kyle Mader, were the only two people on Lake Apopka that night, but they were far from alone. No, the gators don’t play putt-putt, but for humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, there’s a reptile experience. Florida has the longest coastline in the States, being bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Straits of Florida. July 18 (UPI) --A Florida man captured video of dozens of alligators swimming in a lake and warned visitors to "swim at your own risk. Emmy Award-winning anchor Matt Austin joined the News 6 team in June 2011 and has been the evening news co-anchor since December 2013. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, especially moms and babies. 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. "By and large, gators don't kill people in Florida. Thousands of them call the area home, and many of those could be called a monster gator. The two highways through the Everglades and across the state are Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) and U.S 41 (Tamiami Trail) to its south. Best seen by airboat, and the 417 bridge is beautiful lighted at night crossing the lake. Call (941) 361-6511 for details. Wakulla, south of Tallahassee, is one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. 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. The worst years for fatalities were 2001 and 2006, with three people dying each of those years from Florida alligator attacks. The State of Florida has a nuisance alligator program and will respond quickly to any concerns. Gators were once on the brink of extinction in the Sunshine State but aggressive conservation efforts reversed their decline. An estimated 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife. Lake Kissimmee came in second for the most gators with 1,935 counted with 170 bull gators. The lake, and state park, is teeming with alligators. They collect blood, check mercury levels, weigh, measure and tag the reptile, documenting everything. Among the state’s gator attractions are GatorWorld Parks in Wildwood near Orlando. An alligator’s heart has four chambers (most reptiles have 3) The American alligator is known as the largest reptile in North America; Alligators are the official state reptile of Florida; The alligator is the mascot of the University of Florida In the latest entry to a long and noble tradition, a new video has gone viral of Florida wildlife doing ridiculous things. Alligators are an apex predator, one that has popularized popular culture and frequently appears on the news, typically attached to a crazy story coming out of Florida. The main entrance is in Homestead and that leads to the Flamingo Visitor Center and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Copyright 2016 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. 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. Please contact us to send a comment or to report a problem. We have a wide selection of homes located all over the Naples area . Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. 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. According to FWC's 2015 survey data, an area of Stick Marsh in northwest Indian River County had the most bull gators. Right inside of Lake Kissimmee State Park is Lake Kissimmee, Florida's third largest lake. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. You can rest assured that each one is home to gators. "Now, we got the business end under control," said Brunell. 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. This is a way to see alligators in a more organized, controlled fashion. This drive-thru park guides visitors in their cars through the park and past specially designed pools where about 400 gators swim and feed. 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. Ranger-led boat tours take visitors out on the river for about 45 minutes. We live on this lake. >> Hundreds of gators flock to a Florida sinkhole According to a 2015 survey, “the (Florida) lake that had the most gators overall was Lake George, located on the St. Johns River. Once they spot something, Brunell steers the airboat toward the gator, while Mader leans over the bow of the boat. For example, Lake Apopka and Lake Jesup have the reputation of having the most gators. 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. In one survey, FWC counted 2,322 gators, 26 of which were bull gators. "We're going to shine a spotlight, and we'll see the reflection of their eyes," said Brunell. Male alligators tend to grow larger than females. Over the past year, strange alligator sightings have occurred all over the United States. In recent years, Florida has experienced tremendous human population growth. It didn't take long to find a half dozen on the shores of Lake Apopka. And there have only been 23 fatalities between 1948 and 2016. Merritt Island State Wildlife Refuge east of Titusville on the Space Coast is home to many Florida critters, including gators. 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. An elevated one-mile walkway guides visitors through Sawgrass Lake Park, a natural oasis in densely populated Pinellas County in St. Petersburg. This a good multi-generational excursion that provides a gentle experience, plus the boats are handicap accessible. They also conduct mercury tests on alligators. Incredible footage shows the alligator swimming around a lake at Gatorland, Florida, with the big bird perched on its back, without a care in the world. Many residents seek waterfront homes, and increasingly participate in water-related activities. The original restaurant is still there and a new bar down by the lake has been added. They do have a lot, but they don't top the list in total gators or in the amount of monster bull gators that live there. That increased to 7,114 last year, according to FWC data. Located in the heart of Seminole County along the middle basin of the St. Johns, the lake encompasses an area of approximately 16,000 acres (65 km²), including open water and floodplain. Swimming in a Florida lake is generally safe, but there definitely have been people attacked and killed by alligators in Florida. At the end, there’s a platform to observe and feed the reptiles. Perhaps the most chilling warning the FWC has made for all residents of and visitors to Florida is "Do assume there are alligators in every area of freshwater." Those big gators are the focus of another mission, when crews take a census for gators. The term Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation uses is bull gator, and that means a gator that measures over 9 feet long. Lake Kissimmee near Orlando comes in second with just shy of 2,000. They even took us to an old smuggling plane that had crashed years ago in the Lake. Water runs along both sides of the roads and passengers with keen eyes can spy gators swimming along or sunning on the banks. Statewide, 6,700 nuisance alligators w ere killed or relocated in 2017. In 2016, the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program received 12,759 nuisance alligator complaints, resulting in removal of 8,050 alligators. Baine said gators are vital to the health of Florida's ecosystem, and big gator populations mean healthy lakes. "Lake Okeechobee has the … The lake that had the most gators overall was Lake George, located on the St. Johns River. I mean, Lake Jesup with its 9,000 gators and 10,000 acres of water is reputed to be the most gator-infested lake in the U.S. How can you see alligators in the Everglades? Check out our blog on 3 differences between an alligator and a crocodile! "The fact of the matter is more people have been killed by lightning strikes." Climb the Shark Valley tower at the visitors center to get a bird’s-eye view of the amazing “river of grass.”. Videos from last week show one swimming in … At another survey, 2,016 were counted there with 43 bull gators. Then, he grabs the animal with his bare hands, while Brunell tapes the snout. That may lead people to wonder, if FWC can find these giant gators and study them, should they get rid of them? All material © 2001-2021 by VISIT FLORIDA®, all rights reserved. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a statewide program dedicated to handling nuisance alligators. VISIT FLORIDA® is the Official Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation. Take pictures from a distance and don't disturb the alligator. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends we stay at least 60 feet away when observing in the wild. So much wildlife to be seen all thru this area. Seeing gators on the state’s lakes is most likely the experience of fishermen who are on the hunt for bass and sunfish. While the Everglades are teeming with gators – about 200,000 – there are many other spots to have a safe encounter. 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. Lakes abound and rivers run through the forest giving alligators plenty of spots to do their thing. At five locations along the coast of west Florida, large ponds of baby gators are a big attraction. 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. … 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. A visitor center will help you find the best places to spy the prehistoric beasts. Out of 206 total counted in one trip, 139 of those were over 9 feet long, 68 percent. 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. The prehistoric reptiles are an important part of the state’s ecosystem. He grabs the animal the gator-wranglers look more like medics or to report which florida lake has the most alligators... 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