This is the Most Gator-Inhabited Lake in Tampa Bay

If you live in Florida, you’re bound to come across an alligator or two on occasion. They’re not always just out walking the streets like many might believe, but if you go looking for them, you’ll definitely be able to find one. There have been a few gator encounters in the past few years in the Tampa Bay area, but this one Tampa Bay lake ranks in the top alligator infested lakes in Florida. Lake Seminole in Pinellas County ranks number 20 on the top alligator infested lakes in Florida which makes it the most alligator infested lake in Tampa Bay.

You might be wondering how they count these alligators if they can’t see them all. Alligators are actually counted in the night. According to A-Z animals, scientists will go out on airboats at night and count the eyes above the water. Alligators eyes glow red in the moonlight. Scientists will measure the distance between the eyes and make a size estimate based on the measurements. 

This interactive map shows the estimated number of alligators in different lakes throughout the state. They break down the count based on bull alligators, which are over 9 feet long, and then normal alligators under 9 feet. It is important to remember this is an estimated count and may not be exact because the population varies throughout the years.

The list of the 30 most alligator infested lakes in Florida was made by A-Z animals and include only lakes with more than 100 alligators in them. The actual count is said to be much higher, but these are just from the amount counted above the surface. Here is the full list of the most alligator infested lakes in Florida.

To see the full top 30 lakes in Florida, click here.

There are a lot of dangerous animals in Florida. But if you ever wondered what the most dangerous are? This list was put together by A-Z Animals. Between 1999 and 2019 only 247 people in Florida died as a result of an animal attack. Florida ranks as the third deadliest state in the United States for animal attacks. Texas is number one with 520 and California is number two with 299. Those findings come from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

So, what is the first animal that you think of when you think dangerous in Florida? You probably think of the Alligator, but that isn’t the number one overall dangerous animal in Florida. The Great White Shark is the most dangerous animal in Florida. While not on the land in Florida Great White Sharks swim the waters around the state of Florida. Back in 2020 Florida had 16 shark bites on record. Second was Hawaii with only five.

The dangerous animals in Florida that didn’t make the top five are some that you may have thought could’ve been higher. Firstly, number six on the list is the Black Widow Spider followed by the Florida Panther. The Florida Panther is the state animal. It was chosen in 1982 by a vote of students throughout the state. Following the Florida Panther on the list is the Wild Boar. You can find the Wild Boar in all 67 counties of Florida. Their estimated population is over half a million.

Next is the Timber Rattlesnake. It is also known as the canebreak rattlesnake and it is a species of pit viper. The Timber Rattlesnake has a Chevron pattern and a stripe running down its body. Finally, coming in number 10 on the list is the American Crocodile. They are found along the coast of Florida as north as the Hillsborough/Pasco County border on the west side of Florida.

Below, you can find the top five most dangerous animals in Florida.

Yes, Great White Sharks are found in the waters around Florida. A almost 1,200 pound shark that was almost 13 feet in length was tracked back in March of this year.

#1 and #2 on the list are sharks. They are in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. They grow to about 11 feet and can live about 24 years.

Alligators live in all 67 counties in Florida. You can find alligators in any body of water including lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps and man-made canals. We've seen multiple reports this year of gator attacks, even some fatal ones.

They are found in pine flatwoods, longleaf pine and turkey oak hammocks, sand pine scrub areas, and coastal barrier islands. Yes it is venomous.

It is venomous and can be found throughout Florida. It is called a cottonmouth because of the white color of the inside of its mouth.