Of all the many animals that live in the Florida Everglades, none are as iconic as the American alligator. Second only to the nesting wading birds of the dry season, alligators are the most popular species of Everglades wildlife. You can learn much about them on alligator tours at Mack’s Fish Camp. But for now, we’d like to clear up a few alligator myths.
Myth #1 – Alligators are slow
Alligators are mostly seen as either floating in water, laying about, or casually walking across a gold course. But, don’t be fooled. Because alligators are ambush predators, they rely on quick bursts of speed to catch their prey. Though not fast, alligators are capable of moving at 10-15 miles per hour from a standing position. In the water, they can swim nearly twice as fast because of their muscular tails!
Myth # 2 – Alligators are at the top of the Everglades Food Web
While they definitely close to it, the American alligator doesn’t sit at the top of the Everglades food web. The Burmese python, an exotic invasive species, is now the apex predator of the Everglades, and preys on alligators. Of the alligator myths listed, we wish this one was true, as Burmese pythons have become a significant threat to Everglades wildlife.
Myth # 3 – Alligators are vicious
Intimidating as they look, alligators aren’t bloodthirsty. Their cousins the crocodile, particularly Nile crocodiles, are known as aggressive potential man-eaters. Alligators are quite shy, and try to avoid humans. But, they can become aggressive if you’re near their nest, or if they have been fed by people. Feeding alligators makes them associate people with food, so if you encounter a wild alligator, don’t feed it!
Myth # 4 – Gators can’t climb
Again, that seemingly lazy log with eyes shouldn’t be underestimated. Young alligators are more agile, but adult alligators are very strong and muscular. Adult alligators rely on a combination of their sharp claws and long tails to climb trees and even fences! They can use this ability to pursue prey up trees, though they prefer to “work smart, not hard” and wait under the tree.
Myth # 5 – Alligators can’t survive without warm weather
Alligators are reptiles, and not only are they cold-blooded, they can’t regulate their body temperature on their own. The Florida Everglades is perfect for them, because alligators thrive in temperatures between 82 and 92 degrees. However, every so often the Everglades is within reach of cold winter weather, but alligators are ready for it. When faced with temperatures of 55 degrees or lower, alligators go into a dormant state, slowing their heartbeat to 1 to 2 beats per minute!
Alligators are amazing and powerful creatures, so it’s easy to fall victim to some of these alligator myths. But with a good balance of curiosity and skepticism, you can discover the truth about these awesome animals. The alligator tours at Mack’s Fish Camp let you see them up close in their natural habitat. You’ll also learn more about alligators and also the Everglades ecosystem from Florida Gladesmen that have lived alongside them for generations.