I don't understand people's irrational fear of alligators. Circle B Bar Reserve. Southern Florida is the only place where alligators and crocodiles coexist. Pay attention. Although they're all around us, we don't typically see them in our regular day to day lives. Alligator Alley was initially built as a two-lane toll freeway connecting the two coasts of Florida and has become a very active recreation area connected to Interstate 75 as an east-west continuation of the highway. You will, however, be needing a mask, snorkel, and weight belt; If you don't have your own equipment, that's okay - they have extra. In Florida, feeding wild alligators at any time is illegal. Chris will be with you at all times during your terrifyingly cool experience. The St. Johns River starts south of Orlando near Vero Beach and flows 310 miles north (it's one of the few river in the US that flow north) until it dumps into the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville, two hours northeast of Orlando. The Everglades Outpost is located at 35601 SW 192nd Ave, Homestead, FL 33034. Luckily, there are a number of places you can hang out with crocodilians without having to travel too far. You can prevent unpleasant encounters by following our tips. In 2016, the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program received 12,759 nuisance alligator complaints, resulting in removal of 8,050 alligators. The animals live and walk among us, close to us. When young, alligators eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans, and worms. It is extremely uncommon to see one in an urban or suburban area but there are some real exceptions to consider. Leave alligators alone. Combine an increasing alligator population with an increasing human population, and it’s easy to see that alligator-to-human encounters will continue to increase. The Underwater Alligator Experience is all done through The Everglades Outpost in Homestead Florida. 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. We rely on readers like you to uphold a free press. Alligators live in the water and never bother people unless they themselves have first been bothered. 82° to 92°F, but there are over a … I didn't like the jumping spider that was on my back when I woke up one morning in my bed or the scorpion in the pool area one evening. Florida alligators are showing their true flexibility and range -- social media has caught one climbing a fence and another swimming in a flooded road. Snake on the drive once but I have no problem with this. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Crocodiles favor saltwater areas while alligators prefer freshwater and brackish water habitats. James Okkerse, 62, male : October 19, 2015: Okkerse was killed while swimming/snorkeling by a 12-foot (3.7 meters) alligator at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, 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. €5 every 4 weeks or just €50 €20 for the first year, €7 every 4 weeks or just €70 €30 for the first year. You can document your adrenaline-fueled, once in a lifetime experience with your own waterproof camera or go-pro if you'd like; If not, Chris offers an option to set up photos with his equipment. Florida has a gator problem. Hey you! © 2021 All Rights Reserved, Narcity Media Inc. you can swim with them in an underwater alligator tour. The type of food eaten by alligators depends upon their age and size. Florida residents know that we share the state with a large alligator population — an estimated 1.3 million to be exact! Register this device to receive push notifications. Florida Alligator sitting on a log on the St. Johns River. Although they're all around us, we don't typically see them in our regular day to day lives. See our, Read a limited number of articles each month, You consent to the use of cookies and tracking by us and third parties to provide you with personalized ads, Unlimited access to washingtonpost.com on any device, Unlimited access to all Washington Post apps, No on-site advertising or third-party ad tracking. If you've ever wanted to take a dip with danger and see some up close, you can swim with them in an underwater alligator tour. Keep an eye on your surroundings near fresh or brackish waters. 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. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. While alligators primarily live in the southeastern U.S., crocodiles are found in North, South, and Central America as well as Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Does that mean that everytime you step outside you should be on gurad? 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. If you're closer to the ocean then you might even see a crocodile. If you'd like to take this once in a lifetime dip that you'll never forget, you can contact Chris by email at ChrisGilletteWildlife@gmail.com or through the contact page on his website to schedule a tour. More:Alligator, python wrestle on Fiddler's Creek golf course near Naples. The lagoon is linked to Bay Lake by … This content is currently not available in your region. Florida is home to millions of alligators all across the state that share the beautiful Florida sun and waterways with us. But it seems those signs lacked a key detail — that alligators were nearby. Its tropical Florida though, so enjoy :) Edited: 7 years ago Posted signs said no swimming. If they have been fed by people, they will see people as a source of food. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. Riggins, who had been burglarizing homes in the area, was attacked and partially eaten by an 11-foot (3.4 meters) alligator. We can kind of see it too. It is a wild animal after all. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. Florida is home to millions of alligators all across the state that share the beautiful Florida sun and waterways with us. Kids are naturally intrigued by the giant, monster-like qualities of the American alligator. ... Alligators are no strangers to cannibalism. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. As a tip, they recommend wearing a wetsuit, since the water can sometimes get quite chilly. Remember, never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. Yet long before official recognition, giant alligators ran the untamed swamps of Florida. The World’s Largest Alligator “Godzilla” has been spotted in Lakeland, Florida at Circle B Bar Reserve Park, Polk County. If you're feeling brave, the opportunity to swim with gators is typically done on Fridays and Saturdays, but almost any day can be arranged for a private session. If fed, the alligators will eventually lose their fear of humans and will learn to associate humans with food. You'll never have another picture like it and you'll have proof that you're a beautiful bad-ass. Saltwater areas while alligators prefer freshwater and brackish water habitats over 14 in! Chris documents his adventures as a Wildlife Biologist, conservationist, tour guide, and photographer on his Instagram page, @Gatorboy_chris. Subscribe to Miami for all the latest and greatest stories. Christopher Gillette, otherwise known as Crocodile Chris on Instagram, offers a unique and personal experience up close and personal with real live gators. The Sunshine State is teeming with more than a million alligators that inhabit fresh bodies of water including lakes, rivers, … He is right, it's not a myth that gators CAN be everywhere in Florida. No. Alligators live in all 67 counties, and they inhabit all wild areas of Florida that can support them. Every lake, pond and small body of water you are safe to assume has an alligator nearby. The FWC will dispatch one of its contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation. Check out this super cute video he posted of him and Casper a few days ago. Nowhere. At five locations along the coast of west Florida, large ponds of baby gators are a big attraction. We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit a potentially hazardous location, you check for the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. This is one reason why the State recently expanded the annual alligator harvest. Diet. Some forums can only be seen by registered members. Most will go in their swimsuits since wetsuits aren't required. Just look at that cute little grin! If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment. We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. If you've ever wanted to take a dip with danger and see some up close, you can swim with them in an underwater alligator tour. Safety is super important, so only 1 person can go in at a time and you must be 18 or older to participate. Here are tips on how to live with alligators in Florida: Alligators become … This post has 4 failures describing why I did not get to see any alligators in southern Florida. Alligators can be found lurking in any fresh body of water in Florida. Lots of golfers start or end their round of miniature golf by feeding the alligators. Casper is between 9-10ft long and weighs about 250lbs. If you're not quite ready to brave the water with these beasts, we understand. Alligator populations in and around Florida’s lakes, rivers and streams also continue to grow at a healthy rate. It is still a toll road, but now a four-lane freeway. Population growth and the tourism industry have increased the frequency of human-alligator interactions in Florida. Alligators are shy animals that usually avoid human contact. The alligator isn’t only a marvel to look at, but this species plays an important role in maintaining Florida’s wetlands. Automobile drivers started paying $2.50 to cross, and now it is as high as $17.00 with a boat tow. Baby alligators, in particular, are the most at risk. So you want to see some gators in the greater Tampa area but don’t know where to go. Biologists regularly document, tag and release gators have been since florida areas with no alligators can remember as... Area is adapting, too ; alligators and humans have shared the marshes, where can!, of course mean that everytime you step outside you should be on gurad alligator like! Some of the reasons w Facts & Safety Tips. Eastern coastal, low humidity, no alligators, small town near a larger cultured city (rental) User Name: Remember Me: Password Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Alligators are part of life in Florida. While there are several in the water, the main focus is on the largest critter, Casper - who Chris has been working with for 10 years and understands extremely well, like an alligator whisperer. While most people find gators to be terrifying, Chris sees the beauty in this large reptile and wants to share that with others. In travel or in life, there is a plus side to every failure. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. A lot of north west Florida is alligator free, as are most coastal cities. That is the lesson I learned from my failed attempts to see alligators with Jono while visiting the Florida Everglades. This is unfair to the pet alligator, who is often left alone in an inhospitable environment with no idea on how to cope on its own in the wild. You’ll find them by lakes and rivers. No, the gators don’t play putt-putt, but for humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, there’s a reptile experience. I lived in Miami for over 18 years and there are definitely alligators in the city. Alligators tend to eat their young to administer population control and ensure they don't have too much competition for food sources. Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, but if you are concerned about an alligator, call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. In fact, in our state alone there is an estimated 1.2 million alligators! Gators all the time in the little pond behind the villa. No not really. anoldent. The longest flowing river in Florida is also home to a healthy population of alligators. 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