Are There Alligators in the Everglades?

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The Everglades is a 1.5-million-acre natural wetland in Florida.

This fascinating one-of-a-kind ecosystem is a place to see plant and animal life found nowhere else in the world.

Among the animals are manatees, Burmese pythons, Florida panthers, bears, otters, and even whales and dolphins.

The park is also famous for its many reptiles, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the United States. 

So… Are There Alligators in The Everglades? 

The Everglades is famous for its many fascinating plants and animals, but the most famous is the American Alligator.

The park is home to roughly 200,000 alligators, which play an essential role in the health of the unique ecosystem. 

Alligator Species in The Everglades

There are an astonishing number of alligators in the Everglades, but amazingly, they all belong to a single species: the American Alligator. 

The American Alligator is the largest reptile found in North America.

It lives throughout much of the American South and can be found throughout Florida in the millions.

The Everglades form the southern range of their habitat.

The park is the ideal habitat for them, being largely freshwater with some areas of salinity.

Alligators are freshwater creatures but can handle short-term exposure to saltwater. 

There are roughly 200,000 alligators in the Everglades.

They build nests known as alligator holes along the banks.

These offer shelter from periods of cold or dry weather and may even house other animals. 

The American alligator is known for its dark skin with distinctive yellow bands.

This allows it to camouflage in the water and plant growth along the waterways. 

These alligators are an essential part of the ecosystem in the Everglades.

Their hunting activity controls the presence of other small animals such as birds, fish, and turtles.

Their nests help create peat along the banks and provide spaces for many other animals to lay their eggs and find shelter.

Is It Safe To Swim In The Everglades? 

Swimming in the Everglades is strictly prohibited.

You should never enter the water or leave the walking path or boat that you are using. 

Alligators are only one of the dangerous creatures found in the Everglades.

There are quite a few reasons that you should avoid going in the water and practice caution whenever you are exploring the park. 

Alligators are rarely known to attack humans.

They are generally shy and dislike interacting with people, who are not potential prey for them.

However, they may attack defensively if they feel cornered or threatened, especially if humans are getting too close to their nest. 

Snakes — The Everglades are home to a huge number of snake species, particularly venomous ones.

There are two species of rattlesnakes, including the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake and the Dusky Pygmy rattlesnake.

There are also cottonmouths and the deadly coral snake, whose venom is difficult to counteract.

Most dangerous is the Burmese python, which dwells in the water of the Everglades.

While these snakes aren’t venomous, their ability to strangle prey means that even large animals like alligators and crocodiles aren’t safe from becoming their prey. 

Crocodiles — The very southernmost part of the park also has a small population of crocodiles.

While dwelling in smaller numbers, these reptiles are significantly larger than alligators.

The American crocodile can reach up to 2,000 pounds, making it a formidable foe. 

Alligator snapping turtles — Alligator snapping turtles are occasionally spotted in the Everglades, thriving in the marshy areas where small prey are abundant.

These enormous freshwater turtles can weigh up to 100 pounds.

But what makes them so dangerous is their sharp, strong beak, strong enough to bite off a human finger.

Thankfully, attacks are rare in the Everglades. 

Bull sharks — The Everglades’ unique combination of fresh- and saltwater means that it is the ideal environment for a wide variety of creatures.

Bull sharks frequently patrol its brackish waters to hunt for prey.

Unfortunately, these sharks are some of the most aggressive shark species in the animal kingdom.

They are a common sight along the coastlines and inlets. 

Interesting Alligator Facts In The Everglades

The word “alligator” comes from the Spanish el Lagarto, meaning “the lizard”.

When Spanish explorers arrived in the Americas, they referred to alligators simply as lizards.

This was eventually anglicized as “alligator”. 

Alligators have approximately 80 teeth at a given time.

However, their diet and lifestyle cause them to lose teeth throughout their life.

Luckily, alligators always grow new teeth to replace the old ones.

It isn’t uncommon for an alligator to grow and lose up to 3,000 teeth throughout its lifespan.

In the 1970s, American alligators in the Everglades were considered critically endangered.

Illegal poaching, particularly for alligator skin, had decimated populations.

After laws were enacted forbidding the hunting or killing of these reptiles, populations rebounded.

The American alligator was removed from the endangered species list in 1987, but it is still illegal to hunt them. 

It is illegal to feed alligators in the wild.

This is because they may begin to associate humans with food, making them potentially more aggressive.

Tourists are always instructed to avoid feeding alligators while on tours in the Everglades. 

The state of Florida is home to an astonishing 1.25 million American alligators. 

Alligators are solitary creatures as a rule.

But from May to July, you may see them in larger groups for the purposes of mating.

This is a complex process that may last for hours and results in a clutch of between 30 and 40 eggs.

Alligators vs. Crocodiles

The Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live alongside each other.

It is estimated that about 3,000 crocodiles live in The Everglades.

Once severely in decline, the crocodile populations have grown significantly since the 1970s. 

Alligators live in freshwater since they do not have salt glands to filter saline out of their bodies.

Crocodiles can live in either fresh or salt water.

The Everglades are largely freshwater (though saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico is also present), and the southernmost tip of the park is where you will find both species living together. 

Because crocodiles prefer saltwater and alligators prefer brackish water (meaning a mix of salt- and freshwater), this environment is ideal for the two species to live together. 

So, what is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

There are a few key features to give you a clue. 

Color — Alligators and crocodiles have slight differences in color.

Alligators tend to be dark in color, with skin that is dark green, gray, or almost black.

Crocodiles are usually light green or brown. 

Snout — One of the most famous physical differences between alligators and crocodiles is the shape of the snout.

Alligators have a wider, rounder snout shaped like a U. Crocodiles have a more slender, pointy snout shaped like a V. 

Size — Both species can grow to a truly enormous size, but crocodiles are significantly larger.

The American alligator can reach up to 1,000 pounds and is 15 feet long.

Male Nile crocodiles (the species found in the Everglades) can weigh as much as 1,700 pounds and grow up to 14 feet long. 

Habitat — Crocodiles dwell in saltwater habitats or brackish water because they have salt glands in their mouths that let them filter salt from their systems.

Alligators don’t possess these glands, so they are freshwater dwellers. 

Aggression — Both species can be aggressive, and neither should be approached.

However, crocodiles are significantly more aggressive and are more likely to attack humans.

Alligators prefer to avoid human contact.

In captivity, keepers have been able to pass close to them without an aggressive response. 

3 Safety Tips For Swimming In Alligator-Infested Waters 

It is worth noting that visitors are prohibited from swimming in the Everglades.

However, if you are planning to swim outside the park and are concerned about the presence of alligators, here are a few safety tips you should follow.

1. Never Swim Alone 

Never swim alone in alligator-infested waters.

Solo swimming increases the chance that an alligator may think you are prey and feel comfortable swimming close enough to investigate (and possibly attack).

Large groups of people, especially noisy ones, tell the alligator that this is not a place to look for food. 

2. Avoid Swimming at Dawn or Dusk 

Alligators are nocturnal, so dawn and dusk are peak hunting times for them.

If you plan to swim in a place where alligators are found, stick to swimming during the day, when they are more likely to be sleeping and uninterested in coming near you. 

3. Never Corner an Alligator

As we have mentioned, alligators are largely uninterested in interacting with humans.

They usually only attack if they mistake humans for animal prey or if they feel like they need to defend themselves.

If you see an alligator in the water, never try to approach it; this may make it feel like it is cornered and needs to defend itself.

Instead, simply move away from the area and leave it alone. 

Summary 

Alligators are abundant in The Everglades, and they remain one of the most popular attractions of the area.

If you are lucky enough to spot one of these beautiful animals during your visit, you will see firsthand why they are so admired — and feared — by human visitors to the park.