There are Alligators in Florida?

Yes, there are alligators in Florida. Oh, and it’s not just one alligator, not a couple thousand alligators…there are roughly 1.25 million alligators living in the State of Florida. We have canoed past our fair share of alligators when we visited many Florida State Parks.

You may not know but the American Alligator is an important “keystone” species here in the Southeast. Alligators burrow for nesting and to keep warm. Once they abandon the burrow, it fills with fresh water which makes it a great place for many other species including fish, snakes, turtles and birds to have a place for breeding and to get drinking water. Alligators are also a great indicator for water quality within Florida’s lakes and rivers.

Other Interesting Facts about Alligators
1. Alligators live in freshwater environments such as marshes, rivers, swamps and ponds (like the ones in any local Florida neighborhood or park) unlike their cousin the American Crocodile which lives in saltwater.

2. Alligators can stay underwater for up to 8 hours without taking a breath.

3. On land, alligators can reach speeds up to 10 miles an hour in short bursts.

4. The jaws of an alligator can exert more than 1,000 pounds per square inch when biting down but the muscles to keep its mouth open are far weaker.

5. Alligators can live upwards of 40-50 years.

Oz and family canoed past this big American Alligator in Hillsborough River State Park

Living in or visiting Florida means living among diverse, and sometimes dangerous, animals like the Florida Panther, black bear, Coral snakes, sharks, American Crocodile and of course, the American Alligator. With the continued build-out of their habitats by humans, it is no surprise to find the American Alligator on golf courses, in back yards and neighborhood ponds.

The way we coexist is by having a deep respect of all nature and wildlife. We must appreciate wildlife from a safe distance and educate ourselves on both the beauty and danger of all of God’s creatures.