Orlando is a bright and vibrant part of the world in more ways than one! While the region’s attractions catch the human eye, Florida’s beautiful climate and swathes of natural land make it a haven for all manner of exciting creatures! A wide variety of animals call Orlando their home, from some of the strangest birds to famous mammals and stunning sea creatures, all contributing to the region’s incredible beauty.

One of Florida’s most famous native residents is the alligator. Over one million alligators are living in the state, with many people wanting to see one on their holiday. Some visitors, however, can be concerned about the prospect of meeting one on their travels here. To help put everyone at ease, we’re taking a detailed look at the alligators, their importance to the region, and how to stay aware during your holiday. We also take a look at the best places to see them safely while in Orlando!

Understanding Orlando’s Alligators

Any alligators you might see in Orlando are known as American alligators (Alligator Mississippiensi). These creatures live around any body of freshwater – rivers, lakes, swamps and marshes – and often grow up to 13ft long! American alligators are found across south-east America, but the most significant proportion of them are located in the Florida area.

Alligators are often confused with crocodiles, which are also found in Florida but with a fraction of the numbers. Crocodiles are not found in Orlando, as they prefer saltwater habitats. You can tell the two species apart by their noses – crocodiles have a v-shaped snout, as opposed to the broader, more rounded nose of alligators.

Alligators have powerful senses that allow them to live so successfully in Florida. They have sharp hearing and an increased sense of smell, while they also have excellent night vision. Alligators are widely referred to as ‘opportunistic feeders’, meaning that they only prey on animals they think they can get, which includes a wide range of smaller creatures.

How to Avoid Alligators in Orlando

Assuming you take the right steps and listen to guidelines, it’s incredibly unlikely you’ll have a bad encounter with these animals. While one million alligators sounds like a lot, it’s worth noting that Florida is a vast area – more than half the size of the UK. Therefore, you’re quite unlikely to come across these animals in the wild. Consequently, you should be able to do what you want and enjoy your Orlando holiday without worrying about meeting an alligator on your travels.

As mentioned earlier, these animals live in freshwater, and any locations in Orlando that are known to be home to alligators are often clearly signposted. Simply being aware of the situation when you visit bodies of water like this will go a long way to ensure you don’t cross their paths. There are also general guidelines you should follow whenever you are near a lake or other freshwater in the region, which we have detailed below. You shouldn’t swim in any freshwater location unless it has been made safe and is specially designated for swimming. Alligators are also known to be more active around the times of dawn and dusk, compared to the middle of the day, so take extra precaution during these hours.

What to Do if you See an Alligator

Of course, while unlikely, there is a chance that you could see a wild alligator during your time in Orlando. Thankfully, the people of Orlando have plenty of experience with these animals, and there are simple, tested steps you should take if you notice an alligator on your travels. Alligators are smart animals and use a range of tricks to entice people towards them. Even if you believe the animal to be dead or sleeping, it is recommended that you always stay at least 50ft away, as they can launch attacks at speed if they sense a chance.

Staying away from alligators is not only recommended; it’s the law. Along with harassing alligators, it is also illegal to feed them in the wild and you can be fined for it. Feeding an alligator leads to it associating people with food and losing its fear, so it’s one of the biggest rules to follow concerning the animal in Orlando.

There are state rules regarding alligators in Florida’s urban areas. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), if an alligator is over 4ft long and poses a threat to property or people, it is considered a nuisance and can be removed. If such an animal is spotted, follow the above guidelines and call the FWC hotline (866-392-4286) to have it handled by a nearby expert. It is very rare for alligators to pose a threat though, as they naturally fear humans so tend to stay away. If you’re staying in one of our villa resort communities, there will usually be people on hand within the clubhouse that can give you advice on the local wildlife.

The Best Places to Discover Alligators (Safely) in Orlando

Alligators play a massive role in Orlando’s incredible biodiversity and have, for the most part, become a much-loved part of the region’s culture. If you’re hoping to see these animals on your holiday, then there are plenty of ways you can, with the guidance and protection of professionals.

The most popular place for gator-spotting in Orlando is Gatorland, one of the region’s many attractions. Themed around the famous animal, over 2,000 American alligators live in the park, alongside rare albino gators, crocodiles, birds, snakes and more! There are multiple ways to enjoy the animals at Gatorland, from viewing zones to shows and special tours with the park’s trainers, as well as hosting Meet-A-Gator, which allows you to get a unique photo with one of the animals! Gatorland doesn’t have many rides like other theme parks – other than a zipline – but it is much more affordable, marketing itself as “Orlando’s best half-day attraction”. Therefore, it is a great option for animal enthusiast looking to take a day off from the fast pace of theme parks like Disney World and Universal.

If you want to see Orlando’s wildlife up close, then we’d highly recommend one of the region’s many airboat tours. Airboats are large, flat-bottomed vessels powered by a giant fan that allows them to skirt over the top of the water, making them great for traversing Orlando’s swamps and marshes where alligators live. These forgotten areas of natural beauty feel like another world from the modernised heart of the region and are teeming with wildlife to discover.

A region surrounded by countless swamps and marshes, there are many different airboat tours available to suit your needs. One of the more popular is hosted by Wild Florida, which takes you through the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, a stunning location teeming with wildlife. Every Wild Florida airboat ticket also includes entry to their gator park, giving you more opportunities to discover Orlando’s wildlife! There are other airboat tours available across Orlando, ranging from one-hour adventures to half-day experiences. Many airboat tours are available to book through us at Debbie’s Villas; give us a call for more information.

Alligators are one of Orlando’s most famous residents, but in reality, they form just a part of the region’s magnificent diversity. Orlando is a bright, vibrant place to visit and we would love to help you make your next holiday the best one yet! Our Orlando holiday villas to rent are the perfect base for your adventures, conveniently located and equipped with everything you need for the perfect stay. If you’re interested, why not explore our range of holiday properties today?