Florida residents know that we share the state with a large alligator population — an estimated 1.3 million to be exact! Areas with the highest removals are in and around Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Fort Myers and Jacksonville. VIDEO: Massive 12-foot gator pulled out of Lake Osborne, "They can literally be in any puddle of water," said Boynton Beach resident Richard Cochran, who removed nuisance alligators for the state until last year when an unrelated back injury sidelined him. Do not feed the alligators. West Palm Beach and its suburbs racked up a total of 205 removals over the past two years, with 139 taken from Wellington and 77 from Palm Beach Gardens. Yet another Florida alligator decided to give local residents a terrifying surprise to wake up to. While alligators are found throughout Florida, crocodiles are limited in Florida to the state's southernmost regions because they are more susceptible to cold than are alligators. anoldent. Along with the alligators you can also see other types of wildlife such as iguanas and flamingos. According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission alligators are most active when temperatures are between 82° to 92°F. Florida alligators are showing their true flexibility and range -- social media has caught one climbing a fence and another swimming in a flooded road. Adults have grayish-green backs and tails and white to yellowish undersides. With an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida, the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is warning the public to be aware of the increase in alligator activity this time of year and the possibilities of encountering them. Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office took to their official Facebook page as they shared an image of the creature coming out of the drain. "Wildlife in the area is adapting, too; alligators and snakes are moving and finding new spots to sun bathe." Alligators have inhabited Florida's marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties. In June 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves died after he was snatched from the shore of a Disney World resort by an alligator. Toggle navigation ... your captains will weave through the River of Grass and bring you to a few areas that are well-known for being a gator hangout. Alligators control their body temperature by basking in the sun, or moving to areas with warmer or cooler air or water temperatures. * Gators feed after sunset and all night until before sunrise. One of the people killed was 10-year-old Bradley Weidenhamer, who died after he was attacked by a 400-pound alligator on the Loxahatchee River in 1993. Instead, the FWC operates the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, where people can report a suspicious gator. “Pools aren’t uncommon. Some may be closed due to maintenance issues, its always best to have an alternate rest stop just in case. RELATED: Alligator victim came from Japan but loved Florida, "They've been at people's front doors, in retention ponds, swimming pools," Cochran said. This story was originally posted to PalmBeachPost.com and shared to GateHouse's Florida websites. "Pools aren't uncommon. No not really. Is there any more prominent symbol of Florida than the Florida alligator? The response typically involves sending a licensed trapper to locate and remove the animal. With 1.25 million alligators calling Florida their home, sometimes there’s just no way around it. Within the United States, the American crocodile's distribution is generally limited to the southern tip of Florida, though at least two have been found as far north as the Tampa Bay area . Combined, it has the recipe to give "Florida … But it seems those signs lacked a key detail — that alligators were nearby. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. American alligators are no longer an endangered species, but are protected under a classification that allows only people with special licenses and permits to take them. That means Floridians can't just call up the local alligator trapper to remove one like they would if it were a raccoon or possum. Otherwise, nuisance gators can be sold to an alligator farm. One of the people killed was 10-year-old Bradley Weidenhamer, who died after he was attacked by a 400-pound alligator on the Loxahatchee River in 1993. Ending up face-to-face with an alligator in Florida is not super likely, but it could definitely happen. April is alligator courting season, which means the frisky crocodilians may be venturing out more in the hopes of finding a companion before mating season begins in earnest in May and June. Alligators are ectothermic -- they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. Florida Alligator sitting on a log on the St. Johns River. Alligators are most active when temperatures are … RELATED: Father of boy killed by gator couldn’t pull child from gator’s jaws. The Florida Times-Union ~ 1 Independent Drive, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32202 ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Cookie Policy ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service ~ Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The mutilated body of an alligator with its head and tail cut off was found Thursday in Florida – marking a second such discovery in the state in less than a month. Lots of golfers start or end their round of miniature golf by feeding the alligators. Many residents seek waterfront homes, and increasingly participate in water-related activities. "Not to scare people, but there are over a million of them and they are all around.". “They can literally be in any puddle of water,” said Boynton Beach resident Richard Cochran, who removed nuisance alligators for the state until last year when an unrelated back injury sidelined him. I’ve seen them many times while living in Jacksonville, especially in my current position as stormwater manager at a naval installation. Digital access or digital and print delivery. 06/2011). Maria's Most Recent Stories. In recent years, Florida has experienced tremendous human population growth. They go where they need to. Distribution Edit. No, the gators don’t play putt-putt, but for humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, there’s a reptile experience. Over the past decade, Florida has averaged seven unprovoked alligator bites to humans per year that are serious enough to require medical treatment. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. RELATED: 750-pound alligator found in Jupiter has new home in Gatorland. Two huge alligators were spotted in Florida recently — one on a golf course in Naples and another on a flooded road in Everglades National Park. "I don't like to kill them, and I had a license not to for a couple of years. The ear drums are protected by mov… Spring has sprung, and that doesn’t just mean glorious wildflowers on Florida’s trails. Most alligators you come across will want nothing to do with you, and maintaining a respectful distance will minimize any chance of an encounter. Florida rest areas are typically roadside facilities that provide, parking at a minimum. Nowadays, it seems as if they're everywhere. Although alligator bite incidents resulting in serious injury are rare in Florida, the FWC recommends taking precautions when having fun in and around the water. Statewide, 6,700 nuisance alligators were killed or relocated in 2017. From 1948 through 2008, 410 unprovoked bites have occurred, with 25 ending in the person’s death. Southern Florida is the only place where alligators and crocodiles coexist. It is extremely uncommon to see one in an urban or suburban area but there are some real exceptions to consider. A lot of north west Florida is alligator free, as are most coastal cities. All rights reserved. Posted signs said no swimming. Does that mean that everytime you step outside you should be on gurad? "When temperatures rise, an alligator's metabolism increases and they begin seeking prey," an FWC press release says. There are “no swimming” signs posted in the area where the boy was taken, however, there is no signage warning visitors about the presence of alligators, a Disney spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE. The longest flowing river in Florida is also home to a healthy population of alligators. RELATED: 750-pound alligator found in Jupiter has new home in Gatorland. A map of where nuisance alligators have been removed includes all areas of the state, from Pensacola to the Keys. Instead, the FWC operates the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, where people can report a suspicious gator. A map of where nuisance alligators have been removed includes all areas of the state, from Pensacola to the Keys. They stop feeding when the ambient temperature drops below approximately 70° F (21° C) and they become dormant below 55° F (13° C). That increased to 7,114 last year, according to FWC data. A Florida native, O’Dell firmly said he knows what an alligator looks like. A map of where nuisance alligators have been removed includes all areas of the state, from Pensacola to the Keys. Anyone with concerns about an alligator should call the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at 866-392-4286. The easiest way to see an alligator is to go to one of the many zoos and alligator farms, but if you want to see these impressive reptiles in the wild, there are several places you can go to increase your chances of getting a really good look at them. In reality, the danger posed by crocodiles and alligators is overblown. A Florida resident caught an alligator red-footed Monday as the reptile slinked between houses in a residential area of Land O' Lakes, about 20 miles north of Tampa. “They’ve been at people’s front doors, in retention ponds, swimming pools,” Cochran said. According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligator courtship begins in early April, and mating occurs in May or June. Alligators are most active when temperatures are between 82° to 92° F (28° to 33° C). Annual surveys by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission revealed just how many gators are swimming in Florida lakes. Combined, it has the recipe to give "Florida Man" stories a whole new twist. Alligators are shy animals that usually avoid human contact. Enormous alligator spotted on Florida golf course. April is alligator courting season, which means the frisky crocodilians may be venturing out more in the hopes of finding a companion before mating season begins in earnest in May and June. 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. The Ichetucknee eventually merges into the Santa Fe River, where the water's color and temperature are very different. They just push through the screen and off they go.". Cochran said if a nuisance gator is 4 feet or longer and the trapper doesn’t have a special permit to take it alive, it’s usually killed. The FWC decides whether it poses a risk and will then assign a trapper that it contracts with and licenses. And don't think the prehistoric predators are confined to wildlife areas. Orlando topped the list, with 235, and Sarasota and Tampa came in second and third place, respectively, with 176 and 174 removals last year. Keep an eye on your surroundings near fresh or brackish waters. 954-434-8111. They just push through the screen and off they go.”. © Gannett Co., Inc. 2020. Alligators: Alligators and humans have shared the marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes of the southeastern United States for many centuries. Alligators may occur anywhere there is water—lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps, and even man-made canals. Over the past decade, Florida has averaged seven unprovoked alligator bites to humans per year that are serious enough to require medical treatment. Living in Florida, we have to share our space with a very large reptile, the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis).Because of Florida's booming population growth, people and alligators are constantly forced to cross paths, increasing the chances of conflict. The State of Florida has a nuisance alligator program and will respond quickly to any concerns. Cochran said if a nuisance gator is 4 feet or longer and the trapper doesn't have a special permit to take it alive, it's usually killed. Leave alligators alone. Adapted and excerpted from: E. Swiman, et al, Living with Alligators: A Florida Reality (WEC203) , Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (rev. Two years later in June 2018, an alligator killed 47-year-old Plantation resident Shizuka Matsuki while she walked her dogs in Davie’s Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park. It is extremely uncommon to see one in an urban or suburban area but there are some real exceptions to consider. Remember, never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. “They can literally be in any … Hi there, next year I want to come to FL and to Miami, Miami Beach and The Keys for the first time.. No my question is, how many alligators are there around in the more urban or suburban areas of these cities, and how much do I have to worry about them. Areas with the highest removals are in and around Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Fort Myers and Jacksonville. 10. A Florida alligator is way too quick for you to react if they decide to move. American alligators are no longer an endangered species, but are protected under a classification that allows only people with special licenses and permits to take them. Two years later in June 2018, an alligator killed 47-year-old Plantation resident Shizuka Matsuki while she walked her dogs in Davie's Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park. Alligators are plentiful in central Florida, including the Orlando area. In June 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves died after he was snatched from the shore of a Disney World resort by an alligator. Alligators are everywhere in Florida – official estimates suggest there may be more than 1.25 million of them in Florida’s waters. There is no reason for you to be on the bank of a Florida lake or canal during these hours when you can't see. “I don’t like to kill them, and I had a license not to for a couple of years. At five locations along the coast of west Florida, large ponds of baby gators are a big attraction. There's no better place to see alligators than in Florida. According to the 2012 Scholastic Book of World Records, Louisiana has the largest alligator population, with about two million. “When temperatures rise, an alligator’s metabolism increases and they begin seeking prey,” an FWC press release says. Florida State Rest Area Map. Alligators are native only to the United States and China.. American alligators Edit. Crocodiles can't tolerate temperatures less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Florida … It is one of two extant species in the genus Alligator within the family Alligatoridae; it is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator. It means alligators are on the move, too. Josh Marcus . The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States, with a small population in Mexico. Although some may have picnic areas and so much more. Alligator Attacks Aren't Always Fatal. The longest flowing river in Florida is also home to a healthy population of alligators. It's no secret that Florida has lots of alligators, and that there's no shortage of golf courses there. Their narrow snout is triangular in shape, and the fourth tooth on both sides of the lower jaw is visible when the mouth is closed. 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