Alligators are not particularly dangerous, but they still pose a risk. Here are some tips for enjoying the water safely. Here's the trick he used, which FWC warns doesn't always work. (Adapted from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission). For those who like swimming in Florida's freshwater lakes, ponds and rivers, Morse suggested avoiding heavily vegetated areas. Lurking below Central Florida's lakes, creeks and springs are thousands and thousands of alligators. My grandparents live on the highly populated Chain of Lakes in Winter Haven. FWC biologists regularly document, tag and release gators. From the Panhandle to the Keys, there are plenty of places to take a refreshing dip, but you don’t have to travel far from UCF to find a great place to swim. Alligators prefer fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers and their wetlands, but can also be found in brackish, or slightly salty, water. Here are tips on how to live with alligators in Florida: ... Gators are more active from dusk to dawn, so the FWC recommends swimming during daylight hours and in designated swimming areas only. Of course, I rarely swim in lakes anywhere, so I don't consider it a big sacrifice to not swim in Florida lakes, and knowing alligators are there is enough of a deterrent for someone who's not so big on lake swimming … I see them swimming in the canal and in my back yard. Home of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, the sapphire water of Wakulla Springs boasts manatees, alligators and a host of diverse wildlife that can be viewed from a riverboat or the diving platform. Retention ponds, areas flooded from our torrential afternoon rains and even swimming pools. However, this type of swimming can be very dangerous, especially here in Florida. He pointed towards the alligators creeping in the bushes, to the manatees swimming under us and than reversed the boat so we can take a look at them. Swimming in a Florida lake is generally safe, but there definitely have been people attacked and killed by alligators in Florida. If it is a body of water, it could contain an alligator (even large puddles). Here’s some of the top beach camping areas in Florida: Florida’s Ten Best Swimming Holes Wakulla Springs. When people say alligators are all over the place in Florida, they're not lying. Yes, always look before you leap. Alligators travel across land to reach water. The "alligators are afraid of populated areas, noise, etc" is Swimming and Alligators (Orlando: neighborhoods, buy, live in) - Florida (FL) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum Florida boasts a multitude of lakes ranging from the marshy, brackish wetlands in the southern region where swimming is considered dangerous — thanks to alligators — to the freshwater reservoirs in the Panhandle where swimming and boating are popular activities. A lot of lakes, swamps, ponds and canals can have at least one or more alligators in them. Alexander is my personal favorite, but it's also farther away than the others mentioned. and crossing the road in front of my house. He was killed while diving and harassing small alligators in a canal near West Palm Beach, Florida. Some people are far more tempted by freshwater lakes and ponds. Currently, I live on a canal between two large Lakes and I have seen plenty of gators just about everywhere. Alligators. And not everyone goes to the beach, even here in the Tampa Bay area. Alligators have inhabited Florida's marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties. Download Alligators in florida stock photos. There are probably more than 1 million alligators in Florida, most of them live in South Florida, but also a lot can be found in the Orlando area. It’s summer, so everyone’s got swimming on their mind. I have been living in Florida for 41 years. Those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to safely explore the Everglades might imagine the 1.5-million-acre national park’s public waterways to be clear, with thick trees overhead for climbing or viewing purposes. ladies swimming pool and swimming trainer- Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 0 replies Fiberglass swimming pool vs granite swimming pool, Houston, 4 replies Tasty Alligators -no disrespect to alligators:), Miami, 5 replies Is it common to have alligators in your swimming pool?, Florida, 3 replies Florida has a gator problem. Alligators are a part of the natural order down here and are really quite common in most of Florida’s lakes, rivers and streams. Not only are they in our Lakes, they are in our rivers and any random pond the middle of nowhere. The rule of thumb is if there is a permanent standing body of water than there are both alligators and moccasins in it. It continued: "Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, but if you are concerned about an alligator, call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286. Even the best efforts at keeping a body of … Many residents seek waterfront homes, and increasingly participate in water-related activities. Generally, alligators less than four feet in length are not large enough to be dangerous unless handled. Port St. Lucie man attacked by alligator in backyard survived with 65 stitches. We got to see alligators sunbathing on top of tree logs in the company of turtles, herons flying by us looking for lunch and the sweetest little family of ducks our toddler have seen as well as all sorts of beautiful birds. Robert Crespo, 11, male: August 6, 1984: He was killed by a 12' 4" (3.8 m) alligator while swimming in a canal in St. Lucie County, Florida. Over a million alligators and about seven unprovoked attacks a year happen there in Florida. From Florida Hello. Alligator attacks are uncommon but they still happen (Florida has had 24 fatal attacks in 60 years). Some alligators have been found in municipal and subdivision retention ponds, golf course water hazards and occasionally in the swimming pools or yards of homes. That being said, I am new to Florida and still haven't gotten up the nerve to swim in a lake. You might also look at Alexander Springs and Wekieva Springs. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. That’s because of a little bug called Naegleria fowleri, a type of of amoeba that can cause a severe infection. They already feel they have free run of the place, but, when bad weather strikes, it's not uncommon to find displaced gators in the roads, in local swimming pools, and even in your backyard. Watch: Gator Strolls Through Florida Neighborhood - Land O' Lakes, FL - The alligator was spotted stretching its legs between homes in Wilderness Lake Preserve in Land O' Lakes on Monday. Are Florida lakes safe to swim in? Florida alligators are showing their true flexibility and range -- social media has caught one climbing a fence and another swimming in a flooded road. Annual surveys by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission revealed just how many gators are swimming in Florida lakes. In recent years, Florida has experienced tremendous human population growth. Swimming in lakes in Florida in the summer isn't always the best idea. Florida is home to 1.3 million alligators, like this guy taking a swim near Orlando. (©Paul Marcellini) Go Jump in a Lake—or Not! In addition to the alligators (which generally aren't a huge problem) there are dangerous amoebas in some lakes that become a problem when the water is 80 degrees or higher. The animals live and walk among us, close to us. Alligators, oranges and Florida Man are among the many things the state is known for, but beautiful natural swimming spots are some of the best things the Sunshine State has to offer. A Texas woman who took a photo of a live alligator with a knife in its head said she and her neighbors are concerned about the animal's well-being.. “We tried to grab him, and it turned into a bit of a fiasco.” The most infamous spot in town is Lake Jesup, which is 100,000 years old and home to a whopping 10,000 alligators. 10 Things You Need to Know About Florida Alligators. While alligators definitely pose a threat in our Central Florida lakes and springs, they don’t ruin the fun altogether. Florida woman Nicole Tillman seriously injured by alligator while swimming in lake originally appeared on abcnews.go.com. Lakes, canals, rivers & streams that flow from North Florida all the way down to the Florida Keys are rich with vegetation and wildlife – “wild” being the keyword here. 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