Sure, we have bears, panthers and giant snakes, but Florida is rather well known for its local dinosaur descendent and rightly so. The Alligator Farm's history as . One of the state's oldest and largest parks is also a good spot for alligator viewing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a nuisance alligator trapping program for gators at least 4 feet long and that cause a threat. You can take airboat tours on these lakes. They can be found roaming pretty much all over the state. This is the oldest alligator farm in South Florida. Here are some ideas for places to see gators. LINKS TO WEBSITES OF PLACES IN THIS ARTICLE, Everglades National ParkHillsborough River State ParkMerritt Island National Wildlife RefugeMyakka River State ParkBlack Hammock Fish CampEverglades Alligator FarmEverglades Wonder GardensGatoramaGatorlandJungle AdventuresSt Augustine Alligator FarmClark's Fish CampFlorida Key Lime Pie Company. A study of the tributaries of St. Johns River by the University of North Florida found 93 alligators in nine tributaries. One place that offers an airboat trip on Lake Jesup is Black Hammock Fish Camp at 407-807-6623. Take a look at this monster in Daytona Beach ambling across a golf course in high walk mode. Their wild population fell to as low as 1,000 in the 1970s and to 130 in 2001. A location in the park not far from Miami is the Shark Valley Visitor Center. Jacksonville, Florida. That is why the best chance of safely seeing a gator is in one of the many Florida attractions that promise you a good time while teaching you about alligators. So if you can hightail it out of the water and put some distance between you and the alligator, you will likely win. I love the idea that we are sharing our space with these big predators, big ancient predators. Blue sky has a pretty good sized one. It requires a special permit to visit Deep Hole that you have to obtain at the ranger station. If you go far upriver enough you will encounter alligators, so care needs to be taken. It goes without saying that feeding an alligator is a bad idea. A warm nest means that most of the eggs will be male, while a cooler nest means that the offspring will be mostly females. and Jacksonville real estate Only $4! I used to see them in the creek behind Greenlawn Cemetery. There are also things you cannot see under the water that could be dangerous. First of all, feeding gators is illegal in Florida, so thats a pretty good reason not to do it. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them How can you see alligators in the Everglades? We got the snorkeling package sans the feeding. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County is a grand spot for alligator watching. Even Jacksonville's famous Bay Street, once dubbed Alligator Alley, featured baby alligators for sale in the early 1950s. Baby alligators, in particular, are the most at risk. Some other places you can access these places are at Old Florida Places on the St. Johns River. After 27 years of living in Florida, if you are cautious, you have nothing to worry about. Jacksonville has plenty of alligators, but they mostly stay away from crowds and prefer rivers or ponds. Create awareness of the possible presence of alligators in ponds and canals with these signs. Theres a good sized one that is a resident in the lake at Hanna Park. Wakulla, south of Tallahassee, is one of the worlds largest and deepest freshwater springs. It is located near the entrance to Everglades National Park. Most locals are aware of the alligators around and know how to steer clear of them. Remember: you are not Steve Irwin. Certified Visitor Information Centers North Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Northeast Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central West Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central East Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southwest Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southeast Florida, Florida Travel and Vacation Guides - United States, Exchange Rates, Conversions, And Processes, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, 8 Florida Destinations for Wildlife and Scenery, The Everglades: Joe Wasilewski, the 'Snake Man'. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recommends we stay at least 60 feet away when observing in the wild. BEST PLACES TO SEE ALLIGATORS IN FLORIDA IN THE WILD EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK 40001 State Road 9336 Homestead, FL 33034 Tel: 305-242-7700 Tour Boat at Everglades National Park Of the 1.3 million alligators in Florida, more than 200,000 of them live in the Florida Everglades. Ive seen a family of them at hidden hills on/around the island green. Why is it a bad thing to feed alligators? You can spot alligators in the wild without much difficulty, and there are several places with captive alligators that you can see. Here are 15 facts you might not know about Florida alligators. For what its worth, the advice is the same for sharks. And youll have plenty of places in captivity or the wild to choose from when you set out to observe some of the remaining creatures of the dinosaur age. Lily pads, long water grasses, weeds and algae are better avoided head for open water. They are presumably a happily married alligator couple. If you follow regular precautions and keep your eyes open, you should not have any trouble. Also, keep your distance. Of the 1.3 million alligators in Florida, more than 200,000 of them live in the Florida Everglades. If you see a nuisance alligator, dont try to catch or remove the animal yourself. It's not at all uncommon to catch alligators scaling fences. There is a Chinese alligator, and the ones we have here in Florida, American alligators. Alligators and crocodiles are raised here and sold for their meat and skins. Loved the video - and your photos were beautiful. It's not all that surprising, given how well-kept the waters are. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Lake George, near the St. Johns River in northeast Florida, has the most-- more than 2,300. Here are some of the best places to see alligators in Florida: The Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park is on U.S. 41 Tamiami Trail in Miami, and you're sure to see an abundance of alligators there. Nuisance Alligator Hotline: 866-FWC-GATOR People with concerns about an alligator should call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. During this time, youll likely see more alligators walking around neighborhoods, hanging out by homes or under a truck at AutoZone. or take aguided kayak tour with The Paddling Center on Shingle Creek. How do we fix this? Its far better to be on dry land gators can run quite fast, but not for too long. The refuge is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Alligators are good climbers and have been known to scale chain link fences in their paths. Since then, it has grown somewhat to 300 by 2017. With that being said, it's also a good idea to know as much about these powerful and ancient animals as possible - thus, our updated and informative list. Alligators are often spied from the walking trails. Where can I see gators in Jacksonville FL? Don't let alligator fear stop you from enjoying the sunny beaches, vibrant culture, and delicious food of Jacksonville, Florida. Each one is different and each has its own advantages and dangers. Just maintain a safe distance 10 feet is the bare minimum. Alligators are no strangers to cannibalism. Plus, alligators were on the endangered species list and the program was so successful that now there are more than enough to go around. Everglades City also has many places where you can get private airboat rides that will take you through alligator habitat. Alligators and other crocodilians will go on land to feed on dead animal carcasses. The park features a live alligator presentation with the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Team in the park's Gator Pit and a 60-minute narrated airboat tour in the Everglades where you have the chance to see wild alligators. Thats not an experience you want to pay forward! Theres good news and bad news. Enjoy your day. Rather than being predetermined by DNA, the temperature of an egg before it's hatched is a determining factor in its gender. You need to buy a ticket for a specific hatching time. While Florida panthers mostly live in the southern part of the state, males are known to roam Northeast Florida and on occasion South Georgia. [deleted] 8 mo. Crocodiles are about twice the size of alligators and can weigh 2,000 pounds and grow to 20 feet long. Alligators can stick their snouts through ice and breathe even if they are in brumation and the weather is very cold. The main entrance is in Homestead, and that leads to the Flamingo Visitor Center and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. Their heads are shaped differently as well. An elevated one-mile walkway guides visitors through Sawgrass Lake Park, a natural oasis in densely populated Pinellas County in St. Petersburg. . Should I be worried about alligators in Florida? So, if you're planning a move to Jacksonville, Florida, be sure to watch this video and let us help you conquer your alligator anxiety! Crocodiles have a more pointed nose, and their teeth are visible when they close their mouth. Gators hide when its windy. This beautiful 37,000 acre park is in Sarasota County and Manatee County. Newsweek. This historic attraction was established in 1936. You can handle a baby alligator and enjoy their "Gator Jamboree Feeding" where the guides hand feed the large alligators. We come across lots of weird and wonderful Florida facts. They try to capture it and take it back to the wild, but sometimes it is killed. However, there have been repeated cases of alligators getting into peoples' yards and homes. As we mentioned earlier in this article, alligator attacks are rare. For a closer look, rent a canoe and hit the water on the Salt Springs Run. Keep an eye on your pets. Are there black panthers in Jacksonville Florida? One of the most common questions Floridians get from our out-of-state friends and relatives is about our most famous native reptiles: the American Alligator. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. PIN THIS ALLIGATOR SAFETY GUIDE FOR YOUR TRIP TO FLORIDA, Copyright 2021Jacksonville Traveler So Are There Alligators in Jacksonville? The parents were incensed about the attack and the fact the alligators were left to roam around. Big Cypress Loop Road is a quiet scenic drive you can take where you will usually see wild alligators. At these attractions, visitors can observe alligators at feeding times, hold and pet baby gators and also hear expert lectures, plus maybe have some lunch (gator bites anyone?) 297 128. Billie Swamp Safari in Clewiston, north of Alligator Alley, has swamp buggy tours and airboat rides, plus a twilight expedition. DAILY WILDLIFE SHOWS Feeding them makes them associate people with food, and they will start expecting it when they see a person. The park consists of 37,000 acres of unspoiled wetlands, wildflower-strewn prairies, and pinelands. That said, if you are unlucky enough to cross paths with an angry gator and it bites you, that doesn't automatically mean you're doomed. Alligators are no slouch though and can bite at about 3,000 pounds per square inch. Are there alligators in St. Johns River Jacksonville FL? Alligators have webbed feet, which makes them better swimmers. Alligators are also visible on the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway, a driving path which cuts through the heart of the forest. Leave alligators alone. Whats the best way to see an alligator in the wild? Please check it out and if you like it, we would appreciate a "like" from you. Our biggest concern was the water mocassins in the trees along the bayous, more than the gators. She supervises Jacksonville's number one news website and most trusted source for local news. Hillsborough River State Park is natural respite close to Tampa and the urban sprawl of the area. More like to encounter a University of Florida Gator. Share This With Everyone! In Florida, you're more likely to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by an alligator. Biggest alligator I have ever seen in the wild. Everglades Holiday Park, a wildlife preserve and theme park on 29 acres near Fort Lauderdale, is home for Animal Planet's "Gator Boys" TV show, and features daily gator shows. ago In the water -1 Dick_Miller138 8 mo. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park 322 Zoos Ziplining Toucan Tina Snack Bar at this location. News Florida Jacksonville Alligator Video. Along the way it widens out into several lakes. Alligators arent super particular about where they live, and Floridians know that any body of water in the Sunshine State is fair game, from brackish rivers to freshwater springs to the salty Atlantic Ocean to retention ponds in parking lots and even swimming pools on occasion. Generations of Floridians and tourists have enjoyed this park. Ok, ok. Perhaps its not the kind of Florida gator you had in mind. Let us count the ways. Rosenblatt says do not bother the alligators, do not feed them and stop developing on waterways that are their habitats. The river is generally fine as long as you dont go too far out. Florida television station WJAX-TV in Jacksonville on Sunday posted a video of a large gator climbing over a fence at Naval Air . This means the only surviving Archosaurs are the croc family and the birds. This World Heritage Site is billed as the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and there are loads of gators living here. Some waterways are more attractive to gators than others, and some gators are de-sensitized to human presence. Jacksonville averages 16 days below freezing each year, so there are not many days that alligators are not at least somewhat active there. ActiveRain, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, These alligators prefer marshes, swamps, and wetter areas.