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. Water runs along both sides of the roads and passengers with keen eyes can spy gators swimming along or sunning on the banks. The lake, and state park, is teeming with alligators. Brunell and another biologist, Kyle Mader, were the only two people on Lake Apopka that night, but they were far from alone. 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. 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 Florida alligator bite statistics date back to 1948, ranging around three major bites per year. The lake boasts one of the longest free-standing bridges, part of the Seminole Expressway, which bisec… By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Besides gators, which often are spied sunning next to turtles, you will see all manner of Florida birds. The two highways through the Everglades and across the state are Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) and U.S 41 (Tamiami Trail) to its south. Look for gators in the lakes and canals. View our privacy policy. If you call the nuisance hotline … Regardless of that, it still has plenty of Old Florida charm. 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. Over the past year, strange alligator sightings have occurred all over the United States. Merritt Island State Wildlife Refuge east of Titusville on the Space Coast is home to many Florida critters, including gators. Gators hide when it’s windy. Billie Swamp Safari in Clewiston, north of Alligator Alley, has swamp buggy tours and airboat rides plus a twilight expedition. Most people know alligators get just about everywhere in Florida, but now they’ve really leveled up. Swimming in a Florida lake is generally safe, but there definitely have been people attacked and killed by alligators in Florida. In one survey, FWC counted 2,322 gators, 26 of which were bull gators. The opinions expressed in the getaway ideas, Floridians' Favorites and readers' comments do not necessarily represent those of VISIT FLORIDA. Lakes abound and rivers run through the forest giving alligators plenty of spots to do their thing. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County is a grand spot for alligator watching. Over Lake Jesup, Austin saw a couple of gators sunbathing on a private beach. Orlando topped … 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. Every year, FWC officers do surveys to see how many gators are living in each lake and how many of those qualify as bull gators. "By and large, gators don't kill people in Florida. On another survey trip by FWC, they counted 276 gators, 76 of which were bull gators. We live on this lake. Want to learn more? That is illegal and can condition them to associate food with people. Winter is the best season for alligator watching, mostly because they come out of the cooler water to catch the warm rays. While the Everglades are teeming with gators – about 200,000 – there are many other spots to have a safe encounter. Ranger-led boat tours take visitors out on the river for about 45 minutes. No, the gators don’t play putt-putt, but for humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, there’s a reptile experience. 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. How can you see alligators in the Everglades? This drive-thru park guides visitors in their cars through the park and past specially designed pools where about 400 gators swim and feed. An alligator's snout is broad and has a U-shape, while a crocodile's snout is more narrow with a V-shape. 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. And there have only been 23 fatalities between 1948 and 2016. The original restaurant is still there and a new bar down by the lake has been added. 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. It didn't take long to find a half dozen on the shores of Lake Apopka. The response typically involves sending a licensed trapper to locate and remove the animal. The content for this web site has been provided both by professional travel writers and by individual consumers. For that, FWC biologists need an airboat and lights for the nighttime excursion. At five locations along the coast of west Florida, large ponds of baby gators are a big attraction. Seeing gators on the state’s lakes is most likely the experience of fishermen who are on the hunt for bass and sunfish. On the last Saturday of Florida’s alligator hunting season, Richie Smith and Alex Horton get ready for the water. At the end, there’s a platform to observe and feed the reptiles. Seeing gators on the state’s lakes is most likely the experience … Male alligators tend to grow larger than females. Several of those were swimming very close to homes, right off shore. In fact, Florida is the flattest state in the country. 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. 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. 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. That may lead people to wonder, if FWC can find these giant gators and study them, should they get rid of them? 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. We have a wide selection of homes located all over the Naples area . "Now, we got the business end under control," said Brunell. Right inside of Lake Kissimmee State Park is Lake Kissimmee, Florida's third largest lake. Among the state’s gator attractions are GatorWorld Parks in Wildwood near Orlando. Out of 206 total counted in one trip, 139 of those were over 9 feet long, 68 percent. One of the most frequently asked questions, “Are there alligators in Florida lakes?” Take a deep breath and forget everything you saw in the film Lake Placid. Small children should not swim alone or be left unattended on the shore of a large Florida lake. Lake Kissimmee, Florida has had 24 fatal attacks in 60 years ) 's ecosystem, and that to... About 13,000 in lake Istokopoga and I dont want to jump in to challenge that.. 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