{"id":10669,"date":"2022-03-29T16:24:46","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T20:24:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.greatflorida.com\/?p=10669"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:03:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T21:03:24","slug":"watch-out-for-alligators-and-crocodiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatflorida.com\/blog\/2022\/watch-out-for-alligators-and-crocodiles\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch Out for Alligators and Crocodiles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week a man struck an 11-foot alligator while driving. The crashed caused the car to veer off the road and overturn into a ditch. The driver and the alligator were killed.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo people outside of Florida, the story is shocking but for Floridians it is a familiar cautionary tale,\u201d says Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>, Florida\u2019s leading boat insurance<\/a> agency.<\/p>\n

Co-existing with alligators is apart of life in Florida. The Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission<\/a> (FWC) reports there are around 1.3 million alligators living across the state, inhabiting all 67 counties in Florida.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
https:\/\/myfwc.com\/conservation\/you-conserve\/wildlife\/gators\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

With an increase in temperature, the chances of spotting an alligator is more likely. The warmer weather means alligators are more mobile. A rise in temperature increases an alligator\u2019s metabolism, which means they begin hunting for prey according to the FWC. It also means they\u2019ll be seen basking in the sun as they regulate their body temperature. By the way, alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time of year, they can be found on the road, golf course or even in your back yard,\u201d says Dustyn Shroff<\/a>, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance<\/a>, Florida\u2019s largest boat insurance<\/a> agency.<\/p>\n

If you do have an alligator sighting around your home, do not try to capture it, leave that to the professionals. You can call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline, 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).<\/p>\n

Above all else, the FWC<\/a> advises to never feed an alligator. It is dangerous as well as illegal. Feeding them can lead the animal to overcome their natural weariness of people and teach them to associate people with food.<\/p>\n

The Key West Aquarium<\/a>, has tips for living with alligators:<\/p>\n