is on the west side of the Everglades. Look for gators in the lakes and canals. Alligators are often spied from the walking trails. 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. Florida started its hunting season in 1988. Usually, they scale fences because they're trying to get to a body of water, such as someone's swimming pool, but it's more proof that you always need to be aware of what is going on in your backyard. If you go far upriver enough you will encounter alligators, so care needs to be taken. It is one of the smallest of its kind. Having the chance to witness one of these apex predators in person is a thrilling experience and one that many people do through the state's various tours. Along those riverbanks, you can spot turtles and alligators catching some sun. Boaters, paddlers and fishermen see plenty. So Are There Alligators in Jacksonville? There is the St. Johns River, the ocean, and some lakes around. As a rule, alligators are very shy and avoid human interaction as much as possible. In truth, they aren't. Here are some ideas for places to see gators. It wouldnt be unusual to see 100 to 120 gators on the banks. I used to see them in the creek behind Greenlawn Cemetery. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. Alligators can stick their snouts through ice and breathe even if they are in brumation and the weather is very cold. Seeing gators on the states lakes is most likely the experience of fishermen who are on the hunt for bass and sunfish. Dont test how close you can get to the alligator. . They look like something that crawled out of the prehistoric era. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Dont get in the water if you see alligators. Generations of Floridians and tourists have enjoyed this park. She died . You need to buy a ticket for a specific hatching time. Bring binoculars. From 1999 to 2007, there were nine people killed by alligators or crocodiles in the United States. Kids love to handle the baby alligators and other reptiles. Olivia explained the rules, such as no standing on the floor, and then we spent about 25 minutes on our own snorkeling with the fish and stingrays. Are there black panthers in Jacksonville Florida? There are an estimated 1.25 million adult alligators in Florida, and while many may be in the southern part of the state, it should be no surprise that Jacksonville would have its share. Meet @UofNorthFlorida assistant professor Dr. Adam Rosenblatt & graduate student Eli Beal. 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. But gators don't stay confined to the swampy areas. Alligator Attacks in Florida There's good news and bad news. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 40001 State Road 9336Homestead, FL 33034Tel: 305-242-7700. It is at about the center of alligator county. By Mike Miller, Copyright 2009-2023 Florida-Back-Roads-Travel.com. Images sourced from Canva. Here's What You Nee, Florida Housing Market Crashing? 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. Hunting and trading in alligator hides and meat slowed down to a trickle and the animals have made an amazing recovery. The further south you go, the more likely youll catch a glimpse of a gator baking in the sun on the banks of a canal or even just lounging on the side of I-95. Don't let alligator fear stop you from enjoying the sunny beaches, vibrant culture, and delicious food of Jacksonville, Florida. This huge 140,000 acre refuge is located adjacent to Kennedy Space Center. Female alligators deposit their eggs in late June or early July. It is a refuge for rescued birds and reptiles who are given a home in the tropical settings of banyan trees and other botanical tropical plants. Polk County deputies were called to deal with a 10-foot, 700-pound alligator wrestling with itself near a middle school. For the adventurous, there is a zipline where you can soar safely above the exhibits for an overhead view of an amazing variety of animals. . This suggests to us that alligators dont really like being in a human-dominated landscape," Rosenblatt explains. In the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, Amelia Island also provided a safe vacation haven for Jacksonville's Black residents. Alligators are one of the most iconic animals in the United States and are one of the main attractions in Florida. Swim during daylight hours only. 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.. In Florida, you're more likely to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by an alligator. Some of the more popular areas in Central Florida that arent occupied by alligators or sharks are freshwater spring-fed rivers. St. Augustine Aquarium won't fill up an entire day of fun like the Alligator farm. Should I be worried about alligators in Florida? Alligators and other crocodilians will go on land to feed on dead animal carcasses. They weigh up to 80 to 100 lbs. This is a way to see alligators in a more organized, controlled fashion. Their range is restricted to only parts of the province of Anhui and is considered critically endangered. Climb the Shark Valley tower at the visitors center to get a birds-eye view of the amazing river of grass.. Jacksonville, Florida. Odds are, the alligator will release and retreat because they don't want to go after prey that could potentially harm them. A tram tour will take you there and you will probably see alligators along the way. During this time, youll likely see more alligators walking around neighborhoods, hanging out by homes or under a truck at AutoZone. However, when you compare that to car crash statistics, it pales in comparison. This drive-thru park guides visitors in their cars through the park and past specially designed pools where about 400 gators swim and feed. The best place to see wildlife, including alligators, is the Black Point Wildlife Drive. Surprisingly perhaps, the alligator is not even close to the most dangerous animal out there. This is the oldest alligator farm in South Florida. This a good, multi-generational excursion that provides a gentle experience, plus the boats are handicap accessible. When the water temperature goes below 55, alligators go into a state of brumation, or hibernation. Lake Kissimmee, near Orlando, comes in second with just shy of 2,000. Keep an eye on your pets. Ive seen a family of them at hidden hills on/around the island green. The St. Johns River is located on Florida's north east coast near Jacksonville. That doesn't mean they don't happen; when the Newsweek article was written in 2016, there had been 23 unprovoked fatal attacks. JSO officers arrived and called gator trappers to come get the animal and release him or her back into the wild. The park consists of 37,000 acres of unspoiled wetlands, wildflower-strewn prairies, and pinelands. We get at least one every year in the storm water pond in our neighborhood. What a great experience with ourmore, Augustine many times and I didn't know about this alligator farm. It is still rare to see one in a residential area, but it does happen. The attraction is loaded with tropical birds and a wide variety of animals. To put that in perspective, a strong human bite would be around 160 pounds per square inch. Want to know what they found? I have been to Discover Cove in Orlando, while fancier, costs more. Its far better to be on dry land gators can run quite fast, but not for too long. Gator Alley | Adventure Landing | Jacksonville Beach, FL. Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center, in Madeira Beach on Floridas west coast, is a smaller stop thats good for kids who want to give a gator a smooch, while Jungle Adventures, near Merritt Island on the Space Coast, features all sorts of Florida critters plus a jungle swamp river cruise. Gatorama is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since 1957. 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. The loop road is connected at its east and west ends to the Tamiami Trail (US-41). A new University of North Florida study looked at the population of alligators living in Jacksonville, specifically in tributaries of the St. Johns River. They spent 2019 researching alligators in Jacksonville to see what the city's population was. These reptiles are not pack animals; they typically hang out alone, and, therefore, it makes sense they would have no issue with killing off any competition to their livelihood. The alligator eggs are incubated slowly over a period of time. ago In the water -1 Dick_Miller138 8 mo. A caveat to those who want to see gators in their natural habitats (and we are not talking football players at the University of Florida): Dont feed them. Rapid population growth and development of natural habitats has certainly made alligator encounters a more frequent occurrence in Florida than ever before. If you're interested in winning an entry into the Alligator Farm's Raptor Run 3k, head here:, Haha hot dogs! In this video, we'll provide you with helpful tips and information to ease your concerns and help you feel more comfortable in your new home. They provide sound mufflers to protect ears from the roar of the motor, and make it a point of getting riders as close as possible to alligators. 2023 ActiveRain, Inc. All Rights Reserved :) homeFair Housing: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty, Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY, Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net, 406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR - Kalispell, MT, Real Estate - (904) 874-0422 - Jacksonville, Fl, Selling your Jacksonville or Orange Park home, vacant land investment property in todays highly competitive real estate market. Alligators are no stranger to Florida swimming pools. The eggs hatch around August and into September. Luckily for themand not so much for usalligators will regrow their teeth quickly. Crocodiles are fine in either environment. Pay attention. What are people saying about zoos in Jacksonville, FL? Alligators have always frequented Disney World, but the issue came to a head in 2016 after a tragic incident involving an alligator killing a two-year-old boy at a Walt Disney World hotel. Also, keep your distance. The pond connects to the river it's been there for years. One also doesn't need to go to Florida to see the gators as they live all through the South. This means there are not many adult alligators. It is located near the entrance to Everglades National Park. Example video title will go here for this video, Nolan Smith Did What? 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. VENTURE CAMP IS OPEN FOR AGES 10-14 Click for dates and times. Best alligator farm near me in Jacksonville, Florida, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, Win an entry into the St. Augustine Alligator Farm's Raptor Run 3k. 1 rule of alligator safety is an easy one. ago I used to see them in the creek behind Greenlawn Cemetery. Find FL real estate agents Here are some that I think you will enjoy. Stay safe, everybody! I kayak durbin/julington all the time (50x in last year?). You can hop on an airboat atBoggy Creek Airboat Adventures(watch us do it!) Typically, alligators have about 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, but they lose teeth frequently. Crocodiles have a set of 66 teeth, while alligators teeth seem less organized and there are about 80 of them. Angie Orth has traveled the world in search of the best food, drinks, places to stay and things to do. Jacksonville has plenty of alligators, but they mostly stay away from crowds and prefer rivers or ponds. Powered byReggio Digital Studio. She's based in her hometown, Jacksonville, Fla. specific permit from Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, guided kayak tour with The Paddling Center on Shingle Creek. Established in 1982, the Everglades Holiday Park is an alligator park in South Florida. There are a lot of alligators in Florida, and Jacksonville no doubt has some alligators living within the city limits. It requires a special permit to visit Deep Hole that you have to obtain at the ranger station. Both alligators and crocodiles will eat fruit, and even veggies, when available. You can rest assured that many in the Sunshine State are home to gators. Here youll find a large swimming area, a 22-foot diving platform and observation deck, a historic lodge with restaurant and casual caf (ice cream! Press J to jump to the feed. This historic attraction opened in 1893 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. 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. Rosenblatt says he wasnt surprised to find that there were almost no adult alligators in the St. Johns tributaries. 13208 State Rad 72Sarasota, FL 34241Tel: 941-361-6511. and Jacksonville real estate Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, but if you are concerned about an alligator, call FWCs toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. As if it wasn't bad enough to imagine an alligator chomping down on your arm or leg, did you know they will have anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 teeth? The only other living species of alligator is the Chinese alligator. There are also boat tours at the entrance in Everglades City. Despite what the media and Lake Placid would have you believe, alligators are not naturally aggressive toward humans. 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. Interesting AlligatorFacts in Jacksonville, 3 Safety Tips for Swiming in Alligator-infestedWaters. The media makes it seem worse than it is. A warm nest means that most of the eggs will be male, while a cooler nest means that the offspring will be mostly females. Although only 20 minutes north of downtown Tampa, the park and Hillsborough River have a lot of alligators. 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. 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. Dont throw Cheetos at it. Edgewater, Florida is a small town on Indian River lagoon south of New Smyna Beach. Some restaurants and fish camps in Florida have alligators in captivity for visitors to take a look at up close and personal. The largest alligator ever weighed topped out at 1,011 pounds and was caught in Alabama. Make a ton of noise and run like your life depends on it. Austin Hyatt shared video and a photo of this approximately 4-5 foot alligator. But best keep the pups away at least 10 feet away from waterways. That said, if someone went to the trouble to put up a NO SWIMMING or BEWARE OF ALLIGATOR sign, youd be smart to pay attention. Crocodiles do not have webbed feet and are more comfortable on land. Random splashes and bubbles in the water - all the time. They are found in parts of Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and North Carolina. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about an alligator that crawls into your house through the kitchen window. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that these creatures are somewhat monstrous in appearance. 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. Minnesota calls itself the land of lakes with its 10,000 watery holes, but Florida has about 30,000. Alligators are opportunistic feeders and look for prey that are easily accessible like turtles and birds. That is illegal and can condition them to associate food with people. These are the ones you absolutely want to avoid and they could be the very aggressive gators the signs are warning you about. JUST RUN. More than 300 animals live here, including 37 alligators who spend their days relaxing on what the park calls Alligator Beach. Our favorite way to get up close and personal with Floridas wildest residents is by boat. Some of these may include: Ichetucknee Springs, Madison Blue Spring, Withlacoochee, and Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail. Another place where you're almost guaranteed to see some wild alligators is Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County, Florida. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Gator mating season is here and as we told you, the alligators are finding themselves in places where people hang out. ), and boat rides. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Lake George, near the St. Johns River in northeast Florida, has the most more than 2,300. The bad news is, lightning strikes are no walk in the park either. Given their tremendous size and proclivity towards the water, you wouldn't expect that alligators would be skilled at climbing, but they are. He later sank only 50 feet from the shoreline and dying alone while surrounded by hundreds of hungry alligators. 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. Copyright 2023 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. This is a nice experience to introduce kids to snorkeling. This beautiful 37,000 acre park is in Sarasota County and Manatee County. Alligators dont like salt water, so you are not too likely to see one on the beach. Alligators are no slouch though and can bite at about 3,000 pounds per square inch. Gatorama also have a large collection of animals other than gators that the kids will enjoy interacting with. Its mascots are Albert and Alberta. Big Cypress National Preserve is on the west side of the Everglades.