Florida’s wetlands, marshes, lakes, and rivers are home to the American alligator, an iconic species. These reptiles are found across all 67 counties, inhabiting diverse freshwater environments. While widespread, their presence is not uniform, with certain bodies of water supporting significantly larger populations than others. The state’s alligator population, estimated at around 1.3 million individuals, has rebounded from past declines.
Identifying Florida’s Alligator Hotspot
Among Florida’s many lakes, Lake Jesup in Seminole County, near Orlando, stands out for its dense alligator population. While Lake Okeechobee boasts a larger total number of alligators due to its immense size, Lake Jesup is often cited as having the highest concentration per square mile of shoreline. Official estimates for Lake Jesup’s alligator count vary widely, with some suggesting populations as high as 12,000 to 13,000. This 16,000-acre lake is a significant habitat for these reptiles within the St. Johns River system.
Factors Contributing to Alligator Abundance
Several ecological and historical factors contribute to the high concentration of alligators in lakes like Lake Jesup. Abundant food sources, such as diverse fish populations including catfish, gar, and bass, provide a consistent prey base for alligators. The shallow nature of these lakes, combined with extensive marshy shorelines and aquatic vegetation, creates ideal habitat for alligators to find cover, bask, and build nests. Warm water temperatures year-round support their health and reproductive cycles, leading to successful breeding seasons where females lay dozens of eggs.
Conservation efforts have also played a significant role in population recovery and distribution. Alligators were once hunted to near extinction, but protective measures enacted in the mid-20th century, including their listing under the Endangered Species Act, allowed their numbers to rebound. As central Florida developed, alligators from disturbed habitats were sometimes relocated to lakes like Jesup, contributing to higher populations. These elements create environments highly conducive to alligator proliferation.
Coexisting with Alligators in Florida
Living in or visiting Florida requires an understanding of how to safely interact with alligators, especially in areas with high populations. Maintain a safe distance from alligators and never attempt to feed them, as feeding makes them lose their natural wariness and associate people with food. Keeping pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge is also important, as pets can resemble the alligators’ natural prey.
Swimming should only occur in designated areas during daylight hours, since alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. While serious alligator-related injuries are uncommon in Florida, exercising caution is advisable. If an alligator is perceived to pose a threat to people, pets, or property, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) operates a toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR for reporting concerns.