To avoid coming across an alligator in the wild:

Don’t swim at night, and especially at dusk or dawn, when alligators are known to feed. Stay out of any body of water unless you are completely certain that it’s safe.
Do pay attention to any posted warning signs of alligators in the water and avoid swimming where there is a known danger. If you are unfamiliar with the area, ask locals and residents who are familiar to guide you to safe, heavily populated swimming zones.

Don’t feed alligators, as it teaches alligators to associate human beings with food and grow increasingly comfortable in human environments. If that doesn’t scare you, it’s also illegal and can earn you a hefty fine.
Do respect boundaries between wildlife and human beings. Observe and enjoy alligators from a safe distance, but avoid any interactions that can be potentially dangerous for either of you.

Don’t attempt to move or catch an alligator on your own. Alligators become dangerous when 4 feet or more in length, and you could be putting yourself right in the line of danger.
Do report a wild alligator siting to the proper authorities if it is posing a potential threat. This generally means contacting your local Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission office.

If you do come across an alligator in the wild:

Don’t approach the alligator. If there are any pets or small children in the area, place them inside if possible or keep a close eye on them.
Do keep within a safe distance from the alligator. Alligators can run very fast for short distances, so it’s wise to stay at least 30 feet away.

Don’t run away in zig zags if an alligator is chasing you. This is a myth and running this way will likely only wear you out faster, not the alligator.
Do back away from an alligator slowly if you find yourself close to one. For the most part, alligators are more scared of humans than we are scared of them, and are very unlikely to chase you.

Don’t ever get in the water with an alligator, even a small one. Alligators are at their strongest when in the water, and you increase your chances of attack greatly if you join them on their turf.
Do keep a close eye on any alligators you come across, and watch for any warning signs of aggression. If an alligator hisses at you, then an attack may follow shortly.

South Florida is a beautiful place, and part of what makes it beautiful is all of the unique and interesting animals that share the area with us. While some animals, like alligators, can be dangerous in certain situations, as long as we respect them and their territory, we can all live together in harmony. If you’d like to view alligators and other fascinating creatures in an exciting, yet perfectly safe, environment, consider an airboat tour through the Everglades. Airboat rides are safe for the whole family, and are sure to leave you with a memory of Florida that you never forget.

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Crocodiles and alligators are very similar in appearance, but, upon closer inspection, some very subtle physical differences can be detected. The most obvious difference is in the shape of the snout – alligators tend to have wider and rounder snouts, while the snout of a crocodile is longer, leaner, and more pointed. When an alligator is resting with its mouth closed, only the top row of teeth is visible because an alligator’s upper jaw completely covers its lower jaw. With a crocodile, on the other hand, both bottom and top teeth are visible when the mouth is closed. Crocodiles also tend to be more light and green in color, while alligators are darker and more gray.

While it’s easiest to tell American crocodiles and American alligators apart by their appearance, the two species differ most greatly in the behaviors and preferred habitats. Alligators are much more common in Florida and the Everglades, because they prefer the freshwater and brackish consistency that can be found here. Crocodiles prefer saltwater environments, so they are more commonly found in or near the oceans surrounding Florida. While alligators can be aggressive and dangerous, crocodiles are typically docile and shy towards humans. Between 20 and 25 fatal alligator attacks have occurred in Florida over the years, but not one fatal crocodile attack has ever been recorded here.

Airboat rides with Captain Mitch are a fantastic way to see both American alligators and American crocodiles from the safety of a boat. Florida Everglades boat rides are family-friendly and an experience you will never forget.

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The presence of the Burmese python in the Florida Everglades has been brought to the public’s attention most recently through a series of photographs depicting native alligators and non-native pythons in vigorous scuffles of life and death. Surprisingly, it’s often the much smaller invasive python that ends up on top. The Burmese python is known for it’s insatiable appetite, preying on species as small as birds and as large as deer – and now even alligators!

While the local Parks Service immediately removes any pythons reported in the area, more are constantly being brought into the area and sold as exotic pets – over 6,000 pythons alone were imported into Miami within a two year period. Sadly, when these pets become too large or too difficult for their owners to maintain, they are often released into the wild where even a single python can cause huge amounts of damage to the local ecosystem.

As long as they are present in the Florida Everglades, pythons will continue to hold their spot close to the top of the food chain, feeding on an estimated thirty-nine species that are considered endangered and an additional forty-one species that are considered rare. A study published in 2011 found that the populations of many local mammals have dropped more than 90% since the introduction of the Burmese python. It is unclear what the future holds for the Burmese python and those unfortunate species that it feeds on, but it is clear that if something is not done soon, many of the local species that have lived here for thousands of years will soon disappear for good.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_invasive_species_in_the_Everglades

The post Not Every Animal You See on Your Homestead Airboat Tour is a Florida Native appeared first on Homestead Miami Airboat Tours & Rides.