Before I traveled to Florida and bounced around towing a little 16ft travel trailer my experience of alligators was sitting in front of our TV in Seattle, WA as a child watching an evening news segment where one seemingly got loose (I didn’t realize they are pretty much everywhere in Florida, Louisiana and throughout the southeast), made its way to a suburb, and slid into a backyard pool for a refreshing dip. Runaway gator—get your children and pets inside!
Or some video of a gator-rangler straddling one while squeezing its snout shut and someone else wrapping tape around it. Let’s hope securely. Always entertaining and a bit mysterious.
How many alligators in Florida are there?
Lots isn’t too descriptive—how about there is an estimated 1.3 million American alligators in Florida. Wowza. That’s a lot. They can be found everywhere in fresh and brackish (more salt than fresh water, less than sea water) bodies of water and sometimes in the ocean but do not have salt glands like crocodiles so can only survive for a short time.
Florida is also home to an approximate 2000 American crocodiles, that are classified as “Threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. American crocodiles are the largest specie of crocodile, reaching up to 20ft in length. Known to be reclusive, they are primarily in brackish and salt water areas in south Florida and the Florida Keys.
Where can you see a gator up close?
You may come across an American alligator in Florida anywhere there is a pond, marsh, lake or canal waterway— that’s pretty much everywhere. Florida has 65,758 square miles of land, and 18.5% of it is water. The featured photo above I shot while walking around a campground in central Florida.
When traveling around the state you are going to see ‘gator signs’ (my term) everywhere. One of my campsites had a sign with a gator graphic stuck near the water’s edge; right next to my designated picnic table. Yikes.
Some roped-off swimming areas at county and state parks will have gator signs as well. And you still want to go swimming?
Males weigh up to 500 pounds, females 200 pounds, and both can swim at speeds up to 20 mph.
Do American alligators in Florida kill people?
Fatal alligator attacks in Florida do happen, but are very rare. There have been only 26 fatal alligator attacks in Florida since 1948. Non-fatal alligator bites are much more common, with a total of 303 serious injuries and 139 minor injuries from bites over the same time period.
Always keep a safe distance when in sight of an alligator, and be aware of your surroundings when walking near any body of water in Florida, especially with a dog that can attract a gator as it resembles their natural prey. If you have the unfortunate experience of being bit by an alligator, seek medical attention. The bite can result in a serious infection, that can potentially be fatal.
Annual Florida alligator harvest
The American alligator was removed from the endangered species list in 1987, after being hunted to near extinction. They are currently included in the category of “Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance” because they resemble the threatened American crocodile.
It is illegal to kill, harass, feed, or have an alligator in your possession (wouldn’t that be a hoot?) unless you have a permit. They can only be killed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission when at least four feet long and determined to be a threat to people, pets, or property.
One exception to those rules is participating in the annual Florida alligator harvest i.e. alligator hunting season that occurs between August 15th and November 1st every year.
I have yet to try alligator meat – have you?
