Alligator encounters: Where they lurk in Florida and what to do if you are attacked

Alligators are synonymous with Florida, and although they're an important part of our identity, it is unwise to turn a blind eye to the danger of a face-to-face encounter with this powerful reptile.

The first and best thing to do if you are in the presence of an alligator is to keep your distance and make sure it can’t get to you. But encounters with people, even though they are extremely rare, can happen under sudden, unexpected circumstances.

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It is important for Floridians to know how these animals behave, where they are most likely found, and what to do in the case of an attack.

Here are a few facts to keep in mind about alligators.

Where can you find alligators in Florida?

Alligators are found in all 67 Florida counties in almost all fresh and brackish water bodies and occasionally in salt water, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The state has a “healthy and stable population” of about 1.3 million alligators of every size, but the most common range in size from 4-12 feet.  

What causes alligators to attack?

Alligators seldom bite people for reasons other than food, according to FWC.

Bites are most likely to occur in or around water, especially in bodies that are small and not regularly used by alligators.

“Although alligators can move quickly on land, they are not well-adapted for capturing prey out of the water,” the FWC says. “However, they can lunge at prey within a few feet of the shoreline.”

Also, female alligators may protect their nests by hissing and opening their mouths to frighten intruders, but rarely bite people.

Alligator encounters in Volusia County

In Volusia County, the last reported fatality occurred in 2015, when a DeBary man was found dead at the bottom of a channel in Blue Springs.

In June 2013, Volusia County Beach Safety found two alligators on the beach, one in Ormond Beach and the other in Daytona Beach Shores.  

What to do if you come across an alligator

The best thing to do if you encounter an alligator is to call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline, toll‐free at 1‐866‐392‐4286.

Alligator attacks often happen when “people do not pay close attention to their surroundings when working or recreating near water.”

Here are other safety tips from FWC:

• Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water.
• Never swim outside of posted swimming areas.
• Swim only during daylight hours. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
• Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at boat ramps and fish camps – do not throw them in the water. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the end result can be the same.
• If an alligator bites you, the best thing to do is fight back, providing as much noise and resistance as possible. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes may cause it to release its grip. When alligators seize prey they cannot easily overpower, they will often let go and retreat.
• Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by an alligator. Alligator bites often result in serious infection.

For information and data about alligators in Florida, visit the FWC’s website at myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/data.