See more gators in the wild than at Gatorland!!!

[esprit]

We went to the everglades last week ( early Jan) and we must have seen 50 wild alligators, some of them big. Apparently Nov-Feb is the time to visit as there are no mossies to contend with and bacause the water holes are drying out, there is an unnatural super concentration of wild life around what water there is. We visisted the Shark Valley Visitor Center on the Tamiami Trail which goes parallel to the very boring Alligator Alley between Miami and Naples. There are 14 miles of trails which you can explore on bikes which can be hired at $6 per hour but we took the $12 two hour trolley bus tour and were glad we had done so as our guide was a wealth of information and knew all the best places to look.

There is an observation tower and we literally had to step over the tails of four basking 6 foot alligtors to get to the steps ( on our guides advice to leave them alone and they will leave you alone, stepped very gingerley, mind you!!!) As well as so many gators it was almost boring, we also saw turtles, Florida deer and every imaginable variety of bird, but no panthers unfortunately ( there are only 80 left). Just up from Shark valley, you can do an airboat ride in the Indian Village. Great day out but only in Winter. We went to the glades in July ( the wet season when the wildlife spreads out over miles) and saw no wildlife at all other than huge biting bugs!! An altogether different experience.

[florida4sun]

On a warm and balmy day I could show you around 15 - 20 gators here in CL, they are everywhere. We also have deer (kids spotted some yesterday), otters, various eagles and bird life. I have also seen some type of pole cat. With the big nature reserve at the back gator mating season is fun. We often see the big males crossing roads to get into lakes with females. Sometimes they get too aggressive and a couple of cowboys (hats and all) come to get them out. Its quite a site.

quote:Originally posted by esprit

We went to the everglades last week ( early Jan) and we must have seen 50 wild alligators, some of them big. Apparently Nov-Feb is the time to visit as there are no mossies to contend with and bacause the water holes are drying out, there is an unnatural super concentration of wild life around what water there is. We visisted the Shark Valley Visitor Center on the Tamiami Trail which goes parallel to the very boring Alligator Alley between Miami and Naples. There are 14 miles of trails which you can explore on bikes which can be hired at $6 per hour but we took the $12 two hour trolley bus tour and were glad we had done so as our guide was a wealth of information and knew all the best places to look.

There is an observation tower and we literally had to step over the tails of four basking 6 foot alligtors to get to the steps ( on our guides advice to leave them alone and they will leave you alone, stepped very gingerley, mind you!!!) As well as so many gators it was almost boring, we also saw turtles, Florida deer and every imaginable variety of bird, but no panthers unfortunately ( there are only 80 left). Just up from Shark valley, you can do an airboat ride in the Indian Village. Great day out but only in Winter. We went to the glades in July ( the wet season when the wildlife spreads out over miles) and saw no wildlife at all other than huge biting bugs!! An altogether different experience.

[esprit]

Yeh. our guide told us they coo to each other, and over mating season it is all you can hear in the glades, they then rub each others snouts, and finally she pulls him drown under the water and tries to drown him ( apparently that is to test him out, if he escapes, he is strong enough to give her strong offspring!).. Now theres a thought ladies!

[florida4sun]

Hmmm, not sure i like the idea of that.....

quote:Originally posted by esprit

Yeh. our guide told us they coo to each other, and over mating season it is all you can hear in the glades, they then rub each others snouts, and finally she pulls him drown under the water and tries to drown him ( apparently that is to test him out, if he escapes, he is strong enough to give her strong offspring!).. Now theres a thought ladies!