There are a lot of alligators in Fort Lauderdale. Although rare, Ford Lauderdale has a few reports of alligator attacks in 2013 and 2018. However, not every place in Fort Lauderdale has alligators. Sewers, Canals, and a few parks in Fort Lauderdale contain the alligators. Due to this, it’s quite safe to swim in Fort Lauderdale. This place also offers tons of other activities you can enjoy.
If you want to know the important details of “Are there alligators in Fort Lauderdale”, keep reading the article till the end.
Are There Alligators in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale has quite a lot of alligators. It’s located right beside Florida Everglades Park, which is considered to be a natural habitat for alligators.
Additionally, the water quality plays a big role in the mass population of alligators in Fort Lauderdale. Freshwater is quite common at Ford Lauderdale.
Fishing at Fort Lauderdale is a regular activity for its freshwater, but you should be aware of the alligator areas.
Alligators are mostly found in freshwater, as this animal cannot tolerate salt water for long. At maximum, Alligators can survive in saltwater for a few hours to a couple of days.
These alligators are commonly found in the marshes, rivers, lakes, and swamps of Florida. American Alligators are the only alligator species in Fort Lauderdale, along with some crocodiles that look like alligators.
However, just because Fort Lauderdale has alligators, doesn’t mean it’s entirely unsafe. Let’s look at a few alligator fatality reports to determine the safety of Fort Lauderdale.
Alligator Fatality Reports
In June 2018, a woman was attacked by a 12-foot alligator at the Silver Lakes Rotary Nature Park. There has also been an alligator sighting at Lauderdale Isles in 2013. Lauderdale Isles is a neighborhood inside Fort Lauderdale.
Note that, many people like to keep alligators as pets in Fort Lauderdale. So if you do face an alligator in Fort Lauderdale, chances are it won’t be aggressive and hunting you.
Although alligators usually are very comfortable in the swamps, they like to shift places in their mating season. Starting from early April to May and June, the alligators tend to find a new swamp to live in and reproduce.
Alligator sightings are more common in their mating season. Yet, not all the areas of Fort Lauderdale are swamped with alligators though.
Alligator Prone Places
Alligators are only found in certain spots of Fort Lauderdale. The Everglades National Park is one of the hot spots for alligators, especially near the Anhinga Trail.
There are also dedicated alligator parks in Fort Lauderdale, such as Everday Holiday Park. You can find various alligator tours at these parks. A few examples are Atlas Cruises and Tours, Everglades Swamp Tours, Jungle Queen Riverboat, etc.
Sewers and canals like Lauderdale Isles also have alligators. You may see alligators near the Dolphin and Rockfish Canals.
If you do face an alligator at Ford Lauderdale, don’t panic. Keep backing away slowly till you’re at a safe distance from the alligator. It’s very rare for an alligator to chase an individual.
Is It Safe to Swim at Fort Lauderdale Beach?
It’s completely safe to swim in Fort Lauderdale, especially in Fort Lauderdale Beaches. As mentioned above, alligators don’t live in ocean water, so there’s practically no chance of you seeing an alligator at Fort Lauderdale Beach.
If you’re still concerned about the safety, don’t stress. There are professional lifeguards at Fort Lauderdale Beach to oversee and ensure your safety.
There are nearly 10 beaches near this area, such as Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach, and they are all swimmable.
You can pick from Lauderdale-By-the-Sea Beach, Central Beach, Sebastian Street Beach, Las Olas Beach, Loggerhead Park Beach, etc.
Moreover, you can always keep a few security facts in check to be totally safe while swimming in Fort Lauderdale Waters.
Safety Tips for Swimming in Fort Lauderdale Waters
Here are the things to keep in mind when swimming in Fort Lauderdale:
- Always swim near a lifeguard. There are a total of 20 lifeguard towers at Fort Lauderdale Beaches and they are active on duty from 9:30 PM to 7 PM.
Note that, most water-related accidents happen when there’s no supervision of a lifeguard. - Understand the warning flags of Fort Lauderdale Beaches. The lifeguard towers have the flags up depending on the current swimming and surfing conditions at the beach.
A green flag means low hazard and a Yellow flag means medium hazard. Purple flags mean that there are sea pests in the water like jellyfish and sea lice. If you see a red flag or a double-red flag, avoid swimming in the water. - Swim with a group. Try not to swim alone in Ford Lauderdale beaches, unless you’re a professional. If you don’t have a group with you, swim in the more crowded areas of the beach.
Also, you should know some general guidelines like not diving headfirst into the water, not fighting the water current, etc. These security tips are also applicable to other beaches like Coney Island and Brighton Beach.
Activities and Things You Can Do at Ford Lauderdale
Apart from a great swimming experience at the beautiful beaches, Fort Lauderdale offers tons of activities. After all, Fort Lauderdale is not famous for only the beaches.
Here are some activities and things you can enjoy at Ford Lauderdale:
- Explore the waterways of Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale is also known as the “Venice of USA” due to its beautiful waterways and canals.
- Visit the Museums. Visit the infamous Museum of Discovery and Science, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, etc. A visit to these museums will greatly nourish your knowledge regarding Fort Lauderdale’s history and culture.
- Airboat tours. If you’re interested in seeing alligators and birds, you can hop on an airboat tour. The airboat tours are available both day and night.
- Visit the parks. You can visit the Sawgrass Recreation Park, Riverwalk Linear Park, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and many more!
- Go shopping and enjoy the nightlife. Fort Lauderdale offers many shopping destinations such as Las Olas Boulevard, Sawgrass Mills Mall, etc.
The live music, bars, and restaurants are the signature aspects of Fort Lauderdale nightlife. Be sure to get the experience!
You can also attend the various events hosted at Ford Lauderdale beaches, much like Rockaway Beach and Long Beach.
FAQs
What Are Alligators Afraid of?
Alligators are naturally afraid of humans and will usually flee as soon as they are approached. But it’s best not to go close to alligators, because there will always be some risk factors.
Can You Swim with Alligators in Florida?
You cannot swim with alligators in Florida without potential risks. There are a few underwater tours in Florida, that offer the opportunity to swim with alligators under supervision.
Can You Touch Wild Gators in Florida?
No, you should not touch wild gators anywhere. It’s very unsafe. Alligators are very protective of their eggs and themselves, so touching them might cause an accident. If you’re watching them, try to watch from a safe distance.
Conclusion
This is the end of this article. Hopefully, the discussion above has cleared your concern: are there alligators in Fort Lauderdale? Have a great time at Fort Lauderdale.
