Polk County residents are no strangers to alligators. Apparently they inhabit all holes filled with water.
More than 1 million alligators call the state of Florida home, but where do they live?
Each year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission takes a census of 50 alligator-infested sites in Florida to assess how many alligators live in the state. The FWC says it’s enlisting the help of scientists and biologists who go out at night by seaplane to count how many sets of bright red eyes they see floating in the water.
It’s not possible to count all the crocodiles, so exact counts and a little math magic are used to estimate what the total population is likely to be in some lakes.
Surprisingly, only one of the top 5 lakes in the state touches Polk County. But eight of the top 30 are in Polk or run along its border.
If you live in Florida, you probably know that you have to live with alligators. As long as you keep your distance and never feed them if they cross your path, you should be fine.
There are, however, risks, especially when it comes to water. The state’s largest and most alligator-infested lake has more than 9,000 alligators confirmed to live there, and another 21,000 are estimated to be hiding in the water itself.
The 5 lakes in Florida with the most alligators
Here’s a list of the five most alligator-infested lakes in the Sunshine State, according to the AZ Animals blog:
- Lake Okeechobee: 9,308 alligators counted with an estimated population of about 30,000. Lake Okeechobee is Florida’s largest freshwater lake and is bordered by Palm Beach County, Martin County, Glades County, Okeechobee County, and Hendry County. It is about 30 miles from Lake Okeechobee or “Lake O” to Port St. Lucie, Florida.
- Orange Lake: 2,732 alligators. Orange Lake is located in Alachua County and about 20 miles from Gainesville. Coincidentally, the mascot of the University of Florida is an alligator, the school is home to the Florida Gators, and its colors are orange and blue.
- Lake George: 2,660 alligators. Lake George, or Lake Welaka to some, is located in Volusia County on the St. Johns, north of Orlando and south of Jacksonville. It is about 15 miles from Crescent City, Florida.
- Lake Jesup: 2,414 alligators with an estimated population of up to 13,000. Lake Jesup is located in Seminole County and about 12 miles from Orlando Sanford International Airport.
- Lake Kissimmee: 2,065 alligators. Lake Kissimmee is located in Osceola County and Polk County and about 20 miles from Lake Wales, Florida. Although Kissimmee is named after it, Lake Kissimmee is located about 55 miles from Kissimmee, Florida.
Top 10 Most Alligator Infested Lakes in the US Psst, Florida is there, a lot
In November 2023, AZ Animals listed the top 10 lakes in the United States that contain alligators. Florida made the list a lot.
Florida:
Lake George, Lake Jesup, Lake Alligator, Lake Kissimmee, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Poinsett, Lake Sawgrass
Louisiana:
Caddo Lake, Cypress Lake
Texas:
Lake Lewisville
And… the lakes with the most alligators in Polk County?
Among the top 30 alligator homes in the state, Polk County appears eight times to be exact. Here’s a look:
- Lake Kissimmee, with an estimated 2,065 alligators, ranks fifth on the state list. Technically, the 31,000-acre lake is on Osceola County’s well, the Osceola-Polk line. But many of its access points are in Polk County, including Lake Kissimmee State Park.
- Lake Hatchineha it was seventh on the state list with an estimated 1,287 alligators. Part of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, the 5,872-acre Lake Hatch is also in Osceola, although its only direct public access point is at Port Hatchineha in Polk County.
- Lake Hancocka 4,584-acre lake located east of US 98 and south of Winter Lake Road between Lakeland and Bartow has 13th on the state list with an estimated 559 alligators. Anyone who has visited the Circle B Bar Reserve on the north shore of the lakes or walked the Panther Point Trail on its east side may find it hard to believe. Alligators seem to be everywhere, and photos of their most famous residents meandering down paths often make a national splash.
- Lake Pierce is a 3,856-acre lake north of Lake Wales and west of the Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve. The 18th is comingth on the state list with an estimated 314 alligators.
- Lake Mariona 3,021-acre lake between Poinciana and Haines City in far eastern Polk counties, has 19th on the state list with an estimated 275 alligators.
- Lake Weohyakapka, also known as Lake Walk-in-Water, is a 7,528-acre lake west of Indian Lake Estates in far eastern Polk County. His 22n.d in the state with an estimated 195 alligators.
- Lake Arbucklea 3,809-acre lake just south of Weohyakapka, ranks 23rdrd in the state with 168 alligators.
- Last but not least: Watch out for your pets if you live nearby Lake Dexter. This lake in the heart of Winter Haven, across the street from Legoland Florida, is the smallest on the top 30 list at 147 acres. He ranked 24thth on the state list with 166 alligators more than one per acre. Only one lake in Florida’s top 30 had a higher density of these prehistoric beauties, the 1,194-acre Jesup Lake in Sanford with 2.02 alligators per acre.
Safety Tips: What to do if you see an alligator?
Although Florida residents have learned to live with alligators, the potential for conflict is always there, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The wildlife commission recommends that people avoid feeding alligators and that you keep your distance if you see one. “Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and out of the water,” the FWC site states.
Serious injuries from alligators are rare here, but if you are concerned about an alligator, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286 or visit eumyfwc.com.
How to escape an alligator attack? What is the best way to get away from a crocodile?
Florida natives learn from pre-school to run away in a zig-zag when encountering a crocodile, but this has been disproved. Hunters can run fast on land, but only for short distances before they tire. It just runs away in a straight line.
If you’re tempted to take a night swim in a lake, river, pond or any natural body of fresh water, just don’t. If the sun goes down, the alligators are out.
If you are walking or relaxing by a lake, pond or river with your dog or cat, keep them at least 10 feet away from the shore and on a leash.
This should go without saying, but never feed an alligator. Definitely do not do it I want this wild animal to associate you with food.
Can you shoot an alligator in your Florida yard?
Do not attempt to “take care” of any alligators yourself. If you don’t have a permit to hunt alligators, you can’t shoot them. And depending on where you live, just firing a gun may be breaking other local laws.
Under Florida law, it is a third-degree felony to “intentionally kill, injure, possess or capture, or attempt to kill, injure, possess or capture an alligator or other alligator, or the eggs of an alligator or other alligator, unless authorized by the rules of the commission”.
Alligators in the statewide nuisance alligator program relocate alligators under 4 feet long and kill nuisance alligators over 4 feet.
“Relocated alligators often attempt to return to their capture site,” according to the SNAP website. “They can create problems for people or other alligators along the way. If an alligator successfully returns, it would be necessary to capture it again and probably more difficult the second time.”
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