Along those riverbanks, you can spot turtles and alligators catching some sun. They are a common sight in the swamps of Louisiana (Louisiana has a very large population), and their northernmost range is thought to be around the Great Dismal Swamp of North Carolina. There are also a lot of beaches around Jacksonville, and they are generally safe as well. Best place in Florida to see alligators - Tripadvisor Call (941) 361-6511 for details. Back away slowly before things get dangerous. 13208 State Rad 72Sarasota, FL 34241Tel: 941-361-6511. Florida has more than a fifth of the five million alligators estimated to live in the United States. If you see other locals and their pups swimming, then chances are youre ok. Alligators have webbed feet, which makes them better swimmers. The No. Most big cities dont have them in the city limits, but Jacksonville takes in a lot of space beyond urban areas. Alligators are black or gray, while crocodiles are tan or green. Not surprisingly, alligators are a big draw for visitors to Florida's national parks and Everglades. Initially, scientists thought this was a practice specific to the reptiles raised in captivity, but studies have been conducted on wild alligators as well. When the water temperature goes below 55, alligators go into a state of brumation, or hibernation. Alligators in Florida are climbing fences and swimming across roads - CNN Typically, alligators have about 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, but they lose teeth frequently. However, there have been repeated cases of alligators getting into peoples' yards and homes. Best place in Florida to see alligators. Sometimes nature and weather do not want to cooperate in letting you see alligators out where they live in the wild. Wow, fortunately we do not see many here in Phoenix, just rattlesnakes. Crocodiles have a set of 66 teeth, while alligators teeth seem less organized and there are about 80 of them. Gator Alley | Adventure Landing | Jacksonville Beach, FL Gator Alley Previous Next Step up to a truly Floridian experience by feeding our gators! The same cant be said if you are fighting the gator on his turf in the water, where the force of a bite will stun you long enough to be dragged under water. The Florida record for length is just over 14 feet for a male alligator found near Jacksonville. 26205 E. Colonial DriveChristmas, FL 32709Tel: 407-568-2885. Minnesota calls itself the land of lakes with its 10,000 watery holes, but Florida has about 30,000. An alligator researcher with the FWC says There are effects when we start altering these natural environments. Rosenblatt says we should protect gators and help them live in these habitats. What Airlines Fly Out Of Jacksonville Florida? followers who love off the beaten path Florida: towns, tourist attractions, maps, lodging, food, festivals, scenic road trips, day trips, history, culture, nostalgia, and more. But theres nothing like a trip to Gainesville to really feel the chomp of the world famous University of Florida Gator spirit. First of all, feeding gators is illegal in Florida, so thats a pretty good reason not to do it. Only 30 daily permits are issued to this wilderness area, and rangers suggest you pick a sunny day with little wind. Good morning Mike and Cindy. One of the state's oldest and largest parks is also a good spot for alligator viewing. It's not just us who have to fear being eaten by an alligator; even other alligators have to be cautious around each other! You wont likely leave the Ocala National Forest, north of Orlando, without seeing a gator or two. Plus, alligators were on the endangered species list and the program was so successful that now there are more than enough to go around. Our biggest concern was the water mocassins in the trees along the bayous, more than the gators. Big Cypress Loop Road is a quiet scenic drive you can take where you will usually see wild alligators. 10 Best Breakfast Restaurants In Orlando, FL, 10 Best Seafood Restaurants In Miami Beach, Florida. Alligators range throughout much of the South - far beyond Florida. This brackish water environment is one of the best ways to see wild alligators in their natural home. Haven't been around much the last couple years. Gator Alley | Adventure Landing | Jacksonville Beach, FL Have never once seen an alligator. How can you see alligators in the Everglades? This beautiful 37,000 acre park is in Sarasota County and Manatee County. You drive your own car as slow as you'd like and take a good look at everything around you. 1 rule of alligator safety is an easy one. Alligators appear in multiple places around the continental United States, but they're most predominantly known for living in Florida because of the Everglades and many swamps. In an article published in the Washington Post, it was reported that the park had more than 200 alligators removed between 2006 and 2015. It has 24 species of crocodilians, including Maximo, a giant crocodile. "Before long we came to a shop selling souvenirs of Florida," wrote John W. Cowart in an essay entitled "Jacksonville's Bay Street." "Live baby alligators crawled around in a glass tank on the sidewalk. Just maintain a safe distance 10 feet is the bare minimum. A visitor center will help you find the best places to spy the prehistoric beasts. They are so common now in Florida that you will see them not only in their natural habitat, but on golf courses and even now and then in a residential swimming pool. Alligators are often spied from the walking trails. Ranger-led boat tours take visitors out on the river for about 45 minutes. These alligators prefer marshes, swamps, and wetter areas. This means there are not many adult alligators. Haven't been around much the last couple years. With that being said, alligators aren't even the largest of their kind - there are crocodiles that can get even bigger than that, as well. Please check it out and if you like it, we would appreciate a "like" from you. 11 Best Places To See Alligators In Florida - Florida Back Roads Travel Truthfully, alligators can be anywhere in a body of water, but they tend to hunt and hide in areas with lush greenery. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park | Alligator Attractions and Exhibits, Zoo, Zip Lining, Bird Rookery and Nature and Wildlife Exhibits UPCOMING EVENTS SAVE THE DATE Sunday, March 5, 2023 ZOO CAMP IS OPEN FOR AGES 6-10 Click for dates and times. It goes without saying that feeding an alligator is a bad idea. 27180 Old 41 RoadBonita Springs, FL 34135Tel: 239-992-2591. Be mindful of where they are located at all times. Last week, we told you all about alligator mating season and nuisance gators, wandering around looking for a mate. The Best Places to See Alligators in Florida Youll have plenty of opportunities to do all the things you love, including, swimming, surfing, beachcombing, shelling, fishing, and kayaking on the top beaches in Jacksonville. There are several beaches in the area with many amenities, as well as areas marked for swimming that have lifeguards. American Alligator | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Rapid population growth and development of natural habitats has certainly made alligator encounters a more frequent occurrence in Florida than ever before. It stands to reason there are a lot more that they did not see, so there are definitely alligators living in the wild within the city limits. When people say alligators are all over the place in Florida, they're not lying. Another place where you're almost guaranteed to see some wild alligators is Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County, Florida. According to a story on CNN.com, TheFlorida Fish and Wildlife Commissionnotes that even though the state averages about seven unprovoked alligator attacks per year a rate that has been increasing about 3% a year the likelihood of being seriously injured in a random attack is roughly one in 2.4 million.. If you are willing to drive about an hour and a half the Okefenokee swamp is a great place to go see them and also just a great place for nature lovers in general. If youre bringing pets to Florida, keep them away from bodies of water until youre more familiar with the waters inhabitants. Learn more in ourCookie Noticeand ourPrivacy Policy. This means the only surviving Archosaurs are the croc family and the birds. Hunting license applicants are given a set number of tags and have to take each alligator they take. It is truly a zoological park rather than only an alligator attraction. You can rest assured that many in the Sunshine State are home to gators. Here are some ideas for places to see gators. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Same-day permits are issued, but try to get to the park by 8 a.m. if you havent reserved one, and bring camera, water and sunscreen. On Monday we got our hands on some video of an. There is a paved path from the parking area to the observation tower. That doesn't mean they don't happen; when the Newsweek article was written in 2016, there had been 23 unprovoked fatal attacks. You can hop on an airboat atBoggy Creek Airboat Adventures(watch us do it!) A study by a university found a lot of smaller alligators in tributaries of the St Johns River in Jacksonville. Alligator hanging out outside AutoZone on Beach Boulevard - WJXT But best keep the pups away at least 10 feet away from waterways. It would be a shock indeed to see an alligator swimming around the weekend crowds at Ginnie Springs. 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! It is thrilling to hold an egg while a baby gator is struggling out to get their first look at the world. Pretty much if there is fresh or brackish water in Florida there are gonna be gators but the other comments have good spots, Julington Creek for sure. It is generally safe to swim in the waters around Jacksonville, but there are plenty of dangers to be aware of. Wakulla, south of Tallahassee, is one of the worlds largest and deepest freshwater springs. Some of them were more than 6 feet long. Each one is different and each has its own advantages and dangers. Courtship between alligators started in early April. Alligators also frequent lakes in the area. In Florida, youre more likely to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by an alligator. So, although alligators are capable of running, they typically only do this to flee threatening situations. The also have two ziplines where you can soar above the hungry reptiles. Did you know the word alligator is an anglicized form of el lagarto, the Spanish term for lizard, which the Spanish settlers in Florida called the alligator? How do you stay safe from alligators in Florida? Its far better to be on dry land gators can run quite fast, but not for too long. Scientist Brian Switek stated that "crocodilians are capable of breaking down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in vegetable matter, so the fruit-eating by these archosaurs could be a nutritional supplement. Trips Alerts Sign in. I kayak durbin/julington all the time (50x in last year?). Alligators inhabit all 67 counties in Florida and it's common to see them here on the banks of the St. Johns River too. Alligator hunting season is from August 15 through the end of October each year. Here are 15 facts you might not know about Florida alligators. She supervises Jacksonville's number one news website and most trusted source for local news. 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. That might quality for an only in Florida label. The alligator eggs are incubated slowly over a period of time. What are people saying about zoos in Jacksonville, FL? More than 300 animals live here, including 37 alligators who spend their days relaxing on what the park calls Alligator Beach. The Alligator Safety Tips You Need to Know BEFORE You Visit Florida By comparison, humans only have about 52 teeth in their lifetime and two sets max. Where to See Alligators in Florida | Going Places Remember, theyre more scared of you than you are of them, so observe safely from a distance. Big Cypress National Preserve is on the west side of the Everglades. It is located on 110 acres and was founded in 1949 by Owen Godwin. DAILY WILDLIFE SHOWS 14501 S. Orange Blossom TrailOrlando, FL 32837Tel: 407-855-5496. Check around the sides of the pond for large indentations in the mud or bank. The tail length is roughly half of their overall length. Spring is breeding season and the low growls of amorous males fill the air. If you tread on one in the dark, well, yes, they may attack. At five locations along the coast of west Florida, large ponds of baby gators are a big attraction. 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.