We all know that our state’s warm climate makes it a hot spot for tourists and snowbirds, but did you know it also makes it an ideal home for a very wide variety of reptiles? In addition to our iconic American alligator, Florida is home to 16 species of lizards, over 30 species of turtles and more than 40 species of snakes! These cold-blooded creatures are most active in the summertime, so you are much more likely to see them this time of year. Check out the tips below to learn how you can help conserve our diverse reptile populations, prevent conflicts, and ensure that your family’s summer fun is safe and wildlife-friendly!
Alligators
The American alligator is Florida’s state reptile and plays an important role in maintaining healthy wetland habitats. These amazing reptiles are also a conservation success story in the Sunshine State. Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated at 1.3 million alligators of every size. Alligators occur in all 67 counties and inhabit all freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps and ponds where they can be supported. Getting to see one from a distance is a special experience for people visiting or living in Florida.
During spring and summer, alligators become more visible and active. When temperatures rise, their metabolism increases, and they begin seeking food. By taking simple precautionary measures when in or near the water, people can enjoy seeing alligators and avoid conflicts with them.
Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) places the highest priority on public safety and administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) to address concerns about alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property. The goal of SNAP is to proactively deal with alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving them where they naturally occur. People who believe an alligator poses a threat should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and the FWC will dispatch one of its contracted nuisance alligator trappers to resolve the situation.
If you see an alligator, stay a safe distance away and admire it from afar! Another important step you can take to co-exist with alligators is to never feed them — it’s dangerous and illegal. When fed, alligators can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food.
In addition, because alligators are most active between dusk and dawn, swim only during daylight hours and in designated swimming areas, and because pets can resemble alligators’ natural prey, keep them on a leash and away from the water.
Learn more at MyFWC.com/Alligator.
Turtles
Florida is one of the best places in the U.S. for spotting a diverse number of turtle species. Our state is second only to our neighbor, Alabama, in the number of turtle species that call it home.
During this time of year, it is very common to see turtles crossing the road. Unfortunately, many do not make it to the other side before sustaining injury or being killed. You can help turtles by carefully moving them across the road, being mindful about traffic. Be sure to always move them in the direction they are heading. However, you should never endanger yourself to help a turtle or any wildlife. Turtle injuries can often be healed with professional assistance. If you find an injured turtle, be sure to contact a local wildlife rehabber for guidance.
Sometimes, a turtle may choose to nest in your yard. There are several steps that you can take to protect the nest and hatchlings. First, try to minimize direct impacts to the nest during landscape and yard maintenance. To assist with this, you can mark the nest with a pin-flag, placed several feet away from the nest to avoid attracting the interest of predators. Second, you can minimize the likelihood of predation by creating a nest cage with wire mesh or chicken wire – just be sure to keep an eye on the nest cage so that the hatchlings are not trapped inside once they hatch. Keep in mind that in Florida all native turtle nests are protected, so the nest can’t be dug up or removed.
If you hook a turtle while fishing, don’t cut the line! Carefully removing the hook is the best way to ensure the turtle’s survival. If the hook can’t be removed, be sure to cut the line as close to the hook as possible. If the line is left in place, the turtle will likely become entangled and die. Keep in mind that in Florida, it is illegal to sell wild-caught native turtles.
Snakes
Of Florida’s 44 native snake species, only 6 are venomous, and each species plays a critical role in our state’s ecosystems. For example, snakes are important for keeping rodent populations low and provide a valuable food source for larger predators and birds. If you see a snake, it is always best to observe from a distance and let it go on its way. They are usually timid and would prefer to avoid encounters with people and pets. Keep in mind that some native snake species, such as the Eastern indigo snake and Florida pine snake, are protected because of population declines, so any attempt to kill them is illegal.
If you frequently see snakes near your home or out-buildings, this likely means that rodents are present. As long as there are small rodents to eat, snakes will keep coming back for more. By removing any excess brush, lumber or other debris, as well as wildlife attractants such as pet food or bird seed, you can make your property less welcoming to both rodents and reptiles.
There are a few rare snakes that you might be lucky enough to see here in North Florida, including the federally-threatened Eastern indigo snake, the longest native snake in the United States, and the state-threatened Florida pine snake, which spends most of its life underground. If you see these rare species, you can help biologists learn more about them by snapping a photo and reporting your sighting online.
Visit MyFWC.com/Snakes for more information. 
Jamie Rager
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
