I recently made a trip out into nature and found some Alligators. Seeing these live is a new experience for me having just moved here, but is apparently quite common here in Florida.
There was actually a news blurb of a nearby resident finding a 10 footer in their pool that had to be removed by the wildlife commission (not this one).
The Florida Wildlife Commission has estimated there are over 1.3 Million Alligators in Florida.
There is actually a Nuisance Alligator removal hotline to call down here because it happens so frequently. They handle over 15,000 complaints and remove over 7,000 gators per year.
On the prowl.
These are all straight from the camera, no cropping. But don't worry, not taken up-close with the mobile phone, all shot with a 200-600mm telephoto lens from a safe distance! (don't try this as a selfie, lol). These guys look lethargic, but can sprint up to 35 mph for short distance on land, and swim 20 mph in the water. Yikes!
In Florida, Gators can get to be over 14 feet (1/3 meters) long, and over 1,000 pounds (453 kg), with the longest in Florida over 17 feet long.
Hey Hey, the gang's all here!
Smile for the camera!
I've got my eye on you!
I found this heatmap of Alligator attack sites quite fascinating. According to the FWC website, there have been 453 unprovoked bite incidents and "Only" (Only?) 26 fatalities from 1948 to 2022.
heatmap source: storymaps.arcgis.com
All photos original work by the author of this post unless otherwise cited.
Shot with Sony A7 RIV with 200-600mm Sony lens.
Now you're happy, right? From snow to alligators there is a lot of difference hehe, great I have a friend who studies reptile tracks and it is an interesting hobby.
Yes, the snow was fun for awhile, but tired of it quickly. Too much time and effort for the snow and property to maintain as we age. We are so far enjoying it much more here spending an hour lounging by the pool vs. shoveling snow! Haven't spotted any of these critters at the house yet, but supposedly has been a couple small 3-4ft ones in the golf ponds nearby. We do have a 2-3ft blacksnake hanging about quite often. Good to have those around.
Risky shots 😂 but depictive. Gaters looking all fierce, we have them even here in our river, we never had them before but now fishing has stopped because of their encounters and attacks. Hoping I get a shot like this some day. 😌
Yes, even the small ones could put a good hurt on you with all those teeth.
Wow, faster on land that in the water. I wouldn't have guessed that at all. Definitely a close encounter I wouldn't want to have!
Right? I was totally surprised by that number. Spooky. Luckily, they can't travel very far at speed on land, but still they can likely run farther than I can these days, and certainly twice as fast!
Wow! It looks like a very cute animal. There is no problem as long as we don't get too close :)
Yes they seem quite powerful. The rumbling growling noise they make during breeding season is pretty impressive. You can feel it rumbling. Will be keeping my distance from them for sure if able.
They are just plain creepy! Great shots, though. Most all my alligator photos have been taken with the car window rolled down!
Yes, they do have that certain feel about them. A giant eating machine with a lizard brain. Definitely a prehistoric feel to them.
Yeah, and elsewhere people complain about racoons... :)
Lol, and I was one of those! At least these don't destroy houses and attics. Definitely need to watch the pets though!
Well no, but instead they want to eat you - I'm not sure if thats better... :)
Btw., some other reptile in Florida is a real pest, even if it only eats fruits and vegetables: Iguanas. Do you have them around as well? They crap everywhere and can spread infections that way. And there are lots of them. Often they sit in trees (because of the fruits) or on roofs. I watched some videos from a professional Iguana hunter, where he shoots dozens of them in one morning. He then uses the skin to make belts and purses and such stuff.
Another problem are Boas, large snakes, who were released into the swamps by people who wanted to get rid of them. Better dont mess with them - they eat the alligators!
The iguana invasion hasn't made it quite this far north yet, but as you said is definitely a problem if you drive 2 hours south. I'm planning to take the pellet rifle on a trip south one of these days. It's also apparently very popular for the BBQ grill.
I recently saw a new record snake being caught here in Florida. 215 lbs, 17.7 female python. No thanks to wrestling that one.
We do have dozens of these little lizards around the house. They are called Anoles. Kind of cute, they only get a few inches long. The cats love chasing them when they sneak inside the screened porch or house.
Well, you better ask the people for permission first, I suggest. This Iguana hunter does that, of course, since he often even goes into the back yard of houses. And some people have actually called the cops on him.
A 215 lb snake, wow! Thats really big! It eats crocodiles for breakfast I guess. Or everything else that runs around there. Unless its too big, like a cow or so.
It was really stupid of the people to release such animals into the wilderness. I mean, today we know what problems a invasive species can cause.
Yes, such little lizzards are not so dangerous and sometimes even useful.
In Brasil I had Geckos in the house - and the bedroom. It can be a bit startling if you come into a dark room, turn the light on - and then see those things run to take cover behind furniture with lightning speed. And that even on the ceiling if needed. :)
But they are surprisingly successful in hunting flying insects. Frequently I have seen a Gecko with a moth in its mouth. I dont know how they do this - and in total darkness as well.
Looks like you're settling into gatorville quite nicely!
Thanks, Loving all the wildlife photo ops here. Plenty of Crows about down here as well, but generally just flying over the house and brief stops in nearby trees. Will take some effort to get shots of them.
Yay!!! Please do. I think you guys have mostly fish crows.
Alligators are huge and scary. It's dangerous to be around. Excellent wildlife photography
Thanks, they certainly have a danger vibe to them! And surprising how quickly they can move when they want to!