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.
Top 20 Alligator Infested Lakes in Florida:
-
- Lake Okeechobee: 9,308 (Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach counties)
- Orange Lake: 2,732 (Alachua County)
- Lake George: 2,660 (Volusia County)
- Lake Jesup: 2,414 (Seminole County)
- Lake Kissimmee: 2,065 (Osceola County)
- Lake Istokpoga: 1,321 (Highland County)
- Lake Hatchineha: 1,287 (Polk County)
- Kenansville Lake: 1,188
- Lake Rousseau: 708 (Levy County)
- Newnan’s Lake: 657 (Alachua County)
- Lake Apopka: 634 (Orange County)
- Lake Panasoffkee: 576 (Sumter County)
- Hancock: 559 (Polk County)
- Lake Griffin: 534 (Lake County)
- Blue Cypress Lake: 499
- Lake Miccosukee: 472 (Jefferson County)
- Lochloosa Lake: 338 (Alachua County)
- Lake Pierce: 314 (Polk County)
- Marion: 275 (Osceola County)
- Lake Seminole: 238 (Pinellas County)
To see the full top 30 lakes in Florida, click here.
The 5 Most Dangerous Animals In Florida
Great White Shark
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.
Bull Shark
#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.
Alligator
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.
Eastern Dimondback Rattlesnake
They are found in pine flatwoods, longleaf pine and turkey oak hammocks, sand pine scrub areas, and coastal barrier islands. Yes it is venomous.
Cottonmouth Snake
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.
