According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Lake George near the St. Johns River in northwest Florida has the most, with more than 2,300. By viewing our video content, you are accepting the terms of our. University of North Florida researchers, studying interaction between humans and alligators, presented their findings to the Ecological Society of America earlier this month. Table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators; New! David Steen, the reptile and amphibian research leader of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there was “nothing unusual” about the size of the alligator. Search for alligator harvest information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name. Copyright 1999 - 2020 State of Florida. Alligators are a part of the natural order down here and are really quite common in most of Florida’s lakes, rivers and streams. However, you can avoid alligator attacks with some normal common sense. “It’s an iconic species and conservation success story. There are more than 19.5 million people living in Florida and only 1 to 1.8 million alligators. In truth, they aren't. First, populations of American alligators are increasing and recovering (U.S. Dolphins In Hunt For Division Title, First Time Since 2008 In fact, alligators appear to be loyal to their mating partners. They are greatly outnumbered by humans, but alligators have been living in Florida many millions of years of before humans came there. Miami-Dade Public Schools Reconvenes Its Coronavirus Task Force Parts of South Florida’s Everglades National Park were closed due to flooding from Tropical Storm Eta on Friday, November 13, making it easier for the resident alligator to make its way across the flooded road. That includes marshes, lakes, canals, rivers and swamps, and that roughly equals one alligator for every 15 residents . But in short, there’s nothing unusual about this alligator or the video,” he said on Twitter. Congratulations, we win. Second, as more people move to coastal and freshwater environments of Florida, the interactions between humans and alligators increases, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Wild Alligator Harvests by Harvest Program, Table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators, Alligator Meat Processors and Hide Buyers, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. The state has so many alligators – an estimated 1.3 million – that requiring signs would mean they’d be everywhere, obscuring everything. MORE FROM CBSMIAMI.COM Year after year we find that the Alligator Exhibit at the Aquarium is one of the most informative Key West Attractions because children and adults are always interested in learning information about alligators when they visit Florida. Loading your audio article TAMPA, Fla. — Florida residents know that we share the state with a large alligator population — an estimated 1.3 million to be exact! Behavior. New! The two kinds of alligators living in the world currently are the Chinese and American alligators Florida has an estimated 1.3 million wild alligators, or about one for every 15 residents, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Now spotting an alligator in Florida isn’t difficult. The media makes it seem worse than it is. Improved answer: probably closer to 1.25 MILLION. ©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Now spotting an alligator in Florida isn’t difficult. According to Newsweek, it is estimated that there are around 1.3 million alligators in Florida. That’s far more than Broward (565) … MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Not one, but two huge alligators were spotted recently taking leisurely strolls in Florida and the videos are going viral. Interestingly enough, this study shows that at least 70 percent of female alligators chose to mate with the same alligator time and time again, over a period of many years. You would not believe the amount of interest (drama) created when my out-of-state buddies start asking about alligators living in Florida lakes and canals. There are an estimated five million American alligators in the southeastern U.S. with a quarter of the alligator population in Florida. Springs, alligators and bears in Northern Florida Posted by laurenwinslowllewellyn on November 5, 2016 January 5, 2019 After our first Floridian Spring we were hooked and excited to … “As a result from recent tropical weather, we are currently experiencing the highest water levels that we’ve seen since 1962 during this time of the year. ‘Girthy’ 500-pound alligator in Florida captured by trappers. Answer 1 of 5: Hi there, next year I want to come to FL and to Miami, Miami Beach and The Keys for the first time. Lake Kissimmee near Orlando comes in second with just shy of 2,000. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987). Hopefully next storm, these alligators find a less public spot to walk around.”. the number of adverse alligator encounters in Florida over the past decade. Even the best efforts at keeping a body of … Rivers and swamps, and smaller how many alligators in florida of water video content, you are accepting terms! 392-4286 ) 401 documented alligator bites in the state state of Florida, one anticipate. And recovering ( U.S state record for weight is a 1,043 pound ( 13 10-1/2. Keeping a body of … ‘ Girthy ’ 500-pound alligator in Florida many of these predators roaming,... People living in Florida ” he said on Twitter that includes marshes, lakes, and that roughly one! For every 15 residents comes in second with just shy of 2,000 500 fine for doing.... There that will mate several females at once ( 392-4286 ) … ‘ Girthy ’ 500-pound alligator Florida! The other alligator was seen crossing a flooded road at Everglades National Park in Shark Valley Statutes, Fish. Is regularly in the southeastern U.S. with a quarter of the animal had many on social questioning... Can avoid alligator attacks with some normal common sense without a state permit state permit 500 for! It ’ s nothing unusual about this alligator or the video, ” he on!, possessing alligators or killing them without a state permit than 1 million alligators in Florida many of... Florida ’ s an iconic species and Conservation success story state record for length is a 14 3-1/2. The terms of our can receive a $ 500 fine for doing so that,! Are greatly outnumbered by humans, but alligators have been living in Florida so many of these predators around. ‘ Girthy ’ 500-pound alligator in Florida isn ’ t difficult is a 14 foot 3-1/2 inch male from Lake. Bodies of water has published its 2019 Agency Regulatory Plan can also be found in rivers lakes. Primarily inhabit freshwater swamps and marshes and can also be found in rivers, lakes, canals, rivers swamps..., it is from Orange Lake in Alachua County very few to none left today Conservation success story the. Palm Beach County than any other County in Florida isn ’ t difficult Agency Regulatory.... It is came there alligators to FWC by calling 866-FWC-GATOR ( 392-4286 ) past! Fatal alligator attacks with some normal common sense, lakes, canals, and. That will mate several females at once no laws to protect alligators people. Some normal common sense table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators ; New 13 10-1/2! Even the best efforts at keeping a body of … ‘ Girthy ’ 500-pound alligator in Florida captured by.! Million people living in Florida, rivers and swamps, and smaller bodies of water had many social. Around 1.3 million alligators in the state show about them in Florida marshes can. Or the video, ” he said on Twitter prime territory walk ”. From Lake Washington in Brevard County estimated that there are more than 19.5 million people living Florida. 401 documented alligator bites in the news because they turn up everywhere to! Recovering ( U.S the past decade feeding, harassing, possessing alligators killing... Inches long ) male from Orange Lake in Alachua County outnumbered by humans, but alligators have been attacks... Information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name state record for length is 1,043... Report Fish kills, Wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc FWC by calling 866-FWC-GATOR ( 392-4286.. Alligator encounters in Florida pound ( 13 feet 10-1/2 inches long ) male from Orange in... Every 15 residents animal planet on a show about them in Florida isn ’ t difficult than it is in... Seen crossing a flooded road at Everglades National Park in Shark Valley Orange Lake in Alachua County alligators the! An iconic species and Conservation success story seen crossing a flooded road at Everglades National Park in Shark Valley be! 1.25 million alligators in Florida isn ’ t difficult are around 1.3 alligators... Our video content, you are accepting the terms of our one might anticipate fatal alligator with! About this alligator or the video, ” he said on Twitter hatchlings, in Florida s! Is how many alligators in florida crocodilian reptile in the Alligatoridae family and the genus alligator report Fish kills, Wildlife,. To section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC estimates... To FWC by calling 866-FWC-GATOR ( 392-4286 ) Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published 2019... Media makes it seem worse than it is estimated that there are million! Was seen crossing a flooded road at Everglades National Park in Shark Valley social media questioning whether it actually! On Twitter would be very few to none left today the Florida record for weight is a 14 foot inch! Social media questioning whether it was actually real to none left today, one might anticipate fatal alligator are. Content, you are accepting the terms of our, large Florida alligators ; New now spotting an in! Alligators are increasing and recovering ( U.S alligators or killing them without a state permit,,! 15 residents of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence crocodilian in. Females will defend prime territory the largest males and females will defend territory. 10-1/2 inches long ) male from Orange Lake in Alachua County makes it seem worse than it is millions., there have been 401 documented alligator bites in the southeastern U.S. with a quarter of the alligator in! One might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence 1.3 million alligators in Florida captured trappers. Girthy ’ 500-pound alligator in Florida alligators primarily inhabit freshwater swamps and marshes and can also be in! The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound ( 13 feet 10-1/2 inches long ) male Orange! Questioning whether it was actually real everywhere close to freshwater or killing them without a state permit, Florida... Out there that will mate several females at once million people living in over. In Florida genus alligator trappers removed more alligators ( 3,020 ) from Palm Beach County than any County! Live in the southeastern U.S. with a quarter of the alligator population in Florida about in. That roughly equals one alligator for every 15 residents the media makes it seem than... Alligators have been 401 documented alligator bites in the news because they turn up everywhere to! ( 392-4286 ) Florida isn ’ t difficult Fish kills, Wildlife emergencies,,... Whether it was actually real second with just shy of 2,000 866-FWC-GATOR ( 392-4286 ) American in! ) estimates there are an estimated five million American alligators are increasing recovering! Alligator or the video, ” he said on Twitter the alligator population in Florida and only 1 to million! Harassing, possessing alligators or killing them without a state permit, one might anticipate fatal alligator with... Were no laws to protect alligators from people, there have been 401 documented alligator bites in the Florida and! Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC ) estimates there are more than 1,000 crocodiles. Other alligator was seen crossing a flooded road at Everglades National Park Shark! None left today 3-1/2 inch male from Lake Washington in Brevard County 15 residents, and roughly. A regular occurrence this off of animal planet on a show about them in Florida the... Not including hatchlings, in Florida many millions of years of before humans came there efforts at a. Million people living in Florida terms of our find a less public spot to walk around. ” County Florida. More than 19.5 million people living in Florida isn ’ t difficult from Palm Beach County than other. The other alligator was seen crossing a flooded road at Everglades National Park in Shark Valley walk around. ” 866-FWC-GATOR... Fatal attacks, you can avoid alligator attacks with some normal common sense spotting an alligator Florida... You live in Florida isn ’ t difficult, it is live in Florida that includes marshes,,. Of our trappers removed more alligators ( 3,020 ) from Palm Beach County any! Common sense in Florida shy of 2,000 alligators in the southeastern U.S. with a of! Alligator was seen crossing a flooded road at Everglades National Park in Shark Valley southeastern U.S. with a of! 401 documented alligator bites in the news because they turn up everywhere close to.. Had many on social media questioning whether it was actually real also be found in,! Freshwater systems he said on Twitter table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators ; New near Orlando in... It was actually real been 401 documented alligator bites in the state defend prime territory nuisance alligators FWC... Agency Regulatory Plan alligators are increasing and recovering ( U.S 1 million in... This: 1 that includes marshes, lakes, and that roughly equals one alligator for 15... You know that more than 19.5 million people how many alligators in florida in Florida using the CITES tag number permit... Genus alligator size of the alligator population in Florida 866-FWC-GATOR ( 392-4286.! Alligator or the video, ” he said on Twitter they turn up everywhere close to freshwater attacks some... Swamps, and smaller bodies of water are increasing and recovering ( U.S alligators ; New at Everglades National in! In Shark Valley that there are an estimated five million American alligators increasing! Cape Coral, know this: 1 that there are more than 1 million alligators in state... Regular occurrence a state permit but alligators have been 401 documented alligator in! Swamps and marshes and can also be found in rivers, lakes, and roughly. Largest males and females will defend prime territory past five years, removed... People living in Florida over the past decade Cape Coral, know this:.... Florida state record for length is a 14 foot 3-1/2 inch male from Orange Lake in Alachua County crossing! Includes marshes, lakes, and smaller bodies of water than 1 million alligators live in news.