American Alligators are a definitive fixture of the Everglades. The vast, slow-moving river of grass that defines this national park provides the perfect subtropical environment for Alligator mississippiensis. Their presence is so integrated into the ecosystem that the Everglades is one of the world’s most reliable places to observe them.
Confirming the Everglades Alligator Population
The American Alligator population is substantial across Florida, estimated to be over one million individuals. Within the Everglades National Park and surrounding areas, the population is approximately 200,000 alligators. This reptile is a dominant fixture in the park’s freshwater sloughs, marshes, and canals. Because alligators are less tolerant of high salinity, they predominantly occupy the interior, low-salinity freshwater regions of the Everglades.
The alligator is considered a keystone species because its activities are instrumental to the ecosystem’s function. During the dry season, alligators excavate deep depressions in the mud, known as “gator holes,” using their snouts and tails. These holes collect and retain water, becoming refuges for fish, turtles, insects, and other aquatic wildlife when surface water levels drop. This mechanism ensures that life can persist through periods of drought, supporting the overall biodiversity of the marsh.
Identifying Alligators Versus Crocodiles
The Everglades is the only place on Earth where American Alligators and American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) naturally coexist. The species can be distinguished by several physical characteristics. The most reliable difference is the shape of the snout: the alligator possesses a broad, rounded, U-shaped snout, while the crocodile has a narrower, pointed, V-shaped snout.
The visibility of their teeth when the mouth is closed is another identifying feature. An alligator’s upper jaw is wider than its lower jaw, causing the large fourth tooth on the bottom jaw to fit into a socket and remain hidden. In contrast, a crocodile’s jaws are nearly the same width, leaving the fourth tooth on the lower jaw exposed and visible even when the mouth is shut.
Coloration and habitat preference are also useful indicators. American Alligators generally have a darker, nearly black or dark gray skin color and prefer inland freshwater environments. Conversely, American Crocodiles have a lighter, grayish-green color and are more tolerant of salt water, typically inhabiting the coastal and brackish mangrove areas of the park.
Safe Viewing and Interaction Guidelines
Visitors must adopt specific precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and the wildlife. A safe distance of at least 15 to 20 feet must be maintained from all alligators, as they can accelerate quickly over short distances. Hissing from an alligator is a clear signal that you are too close and need to retreat immediately.
Feeding alligators, or any wildlife, within the park is strictly prohibited. When alligators are fed by humans, they lose their natural fear and begin to associate people with food, increasing the risk of aggressive behavior. Visitors should also keep pets secured on a leash and away from the water’s edge, as small animals can resemble the alligators’ natural prey.
Alligators are most active during the cooler hours between dusk and dawn, which is when they typically hunt. For this reason, swimming should be avoided in all unmarked areas and only attempted in designated spots during daylight hours. Utilizing elevated boardwalks and established observation decks offers the safest way to view these animals in their natural habitat.