Baby Alligator

Alligators in Florida are, quite literally, everywhere, and their presence is deeply woven into the state’s natural landscape and culture.

With over 1.3 million alligators estimated to live in the state, they can be found in virtually every freshwater body, including lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, canals, and even some brackish environments. From the Everglades to suburban retention ponds and golf course water hazards, it’s not uncommon for Floridians to spot an alligator sunning itself along a bank or gliding stealthily through water.

Their widespread presence is due in part to strong conservation efforts. American alligators were once on the brink of extinction in the mid-20th century due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss. However, through federal and state protections, they’ve made a remarkable recovery and are now considered a conservation success story.

If there’s water, there are most likely alligators—that’s the rule you should follow. Even if you don’t see them, they see you. This baby alligator was watching me without moving a muscle for a long time, and if it hadn’t been for his nose breaking the calm surface of the lake, I wouldn’t have noticed him at all.