HABITAT
When left alone by humans, alligators thrive in Florida's natural and even its artificial fresh waterways. These cold-sensitive aquatic reptiles are restricted to wetlands in the southeastern United States and are primarily found in Florida and coastal Georgia and Louisiana. However, they also inhabit parts of Texas and Alabama. In Florida, alligators most commonly reside in river drainage basins and large lakes in central and south Florida, yet they also inhabit most of our lakes, rivers, marshes and swamps, and may even be found in brackish environments throughout the state.

Alligators are an integral part of Florida's aquatic ecology as they create essential habitats for a variety of wildlife by building ponds, or "gator holes", that collect water and act as freshwater reservoirs during the dry season.

Without a resident alligator to maintain these small ponds, sediments and vegetation would fill the hole and deplete the stored water that so many other animals depend on.

DANGER
As Florida's human population grows each day, land development continues to encroach on alligator habitats and the frequency of contact between people and alligators increases. Alligators are sometimes found in backyards, swimming pools, ditches, drainage ponds, etc.

Although the enormous reptiles are primarily docile, they are dangerous, especially when surprised by an intruder or while protecting the nest and young. Between 1972 and 1990, 127 alligator attacks against humans were reported in Florida, and five fatalities occurred. Alligators larger than six feet pose the greatest threat to humans and their pets, but a bite from a smaller alligator can result in a dangerous infection.

Still, the risk of being attacked by an alligator is minimal. The number of incidences are slight compared to other water-related accidents involving activities such as scuba, boating, swimming, jetskiing, and water skiing. (Did you know that an average of 150 people per year are killed worldwide by falling coconuts? Or that from 1959 to 2003, lightning killed 425 people in the Sunshine State.)

Alligators have a natural shyness and fear of humans. In most cases, an alligator will retreat when confronted by people. Unfortunately, many Floridians and tourists violate Florida law by feeding wild alligators. Feeding causes the alligator to overcome its natural fear of humans and it begins to associate people with food. As a result, it becomes a 'nuisance' alligator. Each year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission receives more than 10,000 alligator related complaints and over 4,000 alligators are captured and relocated annually. Still, an increasing number of nuisance alligators are killed each year because relocation habitats are dwindling.

It is illegal to possess, handle, or harass an alligator. Only representatives of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or people permitted by the FWC are legally authorized to handle an alligator in the wild. Sometimes alligators are sold through the illegal pet trade. The reptiles will not become tame in captivity and handlers are frequently bitten.

Alligators can be safely observed and admired at a variety of state parks, wildlife refuges, and attractions throughout Florida.

CONSERVATION
While alligator populations have benefited from legal protection, pollution and habitat loss continue to threaten Florida's official state reptile. Although they are not endangered, alligators are legally protected and classified as a threatened species because of their close similarity to the native, endangered American crocodile.

Until recently, American alligators were in danger of extinction. Although they were frequently hunted for their meat and skin by native Floridians, alligators became over-exploited after the arrival of Europeans who sought to meet the international demand for alligator leather. An estimated ten million alligators were killed between 1870 and 1970. Although hunting was restricted in the 1940's, numbers continued to decline from illegal poaching. The Lacey Act made interstate transportation of alligator meat and leather a federal offense. Strict enforcement and a decline in the popularity of alligator leather resulted in an increase in alligator populations in the southeastern U.S.

Today, alligator meat and leather is primarily supplied by the multimillion dollar alligator 'farm' industry. Each year, alligator farmers produce 300,000 pounds of meat and 15,000 skins.

HARVEST PERMITS
Alligators may be legally hunted through a limited number of state harvest permits that are controlled by strict laws. Up to 500 applicants are randomly selected through a lottery-style process. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If selected, the trapping license costs $250 for Florida residents, and $1000 for non residents. An additional $50 permit is available for individuals assisting the recipient in the hunt. However, they are not allowed to conduct their own hunt. License recipients must attend a three hour training session. Upon completion, hunters are permitted to take a limited number of mature alligators from designated bodies of water.

AMERICAN CROCODILE
The American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, can grow up to twelve feet long.

Unlike the alligator, the American crocodile has

• an elongated snout
• bottom teeth that are visible when the mouth is closed
• four, instead of six, raised ridges on its back that merge into two on the tail
• a body that is grey or olive grey, with a throat and chest that are yellowish white
• grey or greenish juveniles.

The adult male has a growl that is weaker than a male alligator's bellow, and females are usually silent. Juvenile crocodiles will emit a high-pitched grunt.

Crocodiles are generally secretive, shy and reclusive, seldom posing a problem to the public. Still, they are dangerous if surprised or approached, especially when they are guarding young or are near the nest. Crocodile nests are simpler than alligator nests. The female will lay eight to eighty eggs, and they will incubate for 85 days. Like the alligator, the crocodile mother will dig her hatchlings out of the nest when they are ready.

Crocodiles hunt at night in open water and deep channels, in either salty, brackish or fresh water. They prey on fish and aquatic mammals.

Crocodiles are more cold sensitive than alligators and their range is restricted to tropical climates. In the past, they could be found as far north as Lake Worth in Florida. But today, crocodiles are primarily restricted to Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Key Largo in the Everglades, and in the canals of Florida Power and Light's Turkey Point Plant.

Despite official protection, the crocodile population in Florida is failing to recover. The American crocodile is a highly endangered species; approximately 500 remain in Florida. Habitat loss, changes in water salinity, and extensive drainage are factors that are limiting population recovery.

SPECKLED CAIMAN
A third crocodilian has been introduced to Florida waterways through the pet trade, and is now commonly found in canals of southeast Florida. The exotic speckled caiman is native to Latin America.

It is more docile than the alligator or crocodile; it grows up to six feet long. The caiman can be easily identified by the bony ridge located between its bulbous eyes.