Summer time security ideas for swimming in Florida lakes, wildlife to search for

It’s summer time in Florida, which implies hordes of individuals are flocking to Florida seashores, lakes and comes to benefit from the state’s abundant natural waterways.

Florida is formed by water. There are greater than 8,000 miles of shoreline, 1,000 freshwater springs, 18,000 sq. miles of wetlands, 7,500 lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and 12,000 miles of fishable rivers, streams and canals. All of that water means a number of swimming, boating and splashing round within the summertime.

If you are visiting the Sunshine State this summer time, you could be questioning exactly how dangerous it is to swim in Florida. Last summer time, North Carolina-based private harm regulation workplace Whitley Law Firm analyzed CDC knowledge to seek out the 10 U.S. states with the most drowning incidents in pure swimming areas. And Florida landed close to the highest of the checklist, taking fifth place.

Swimming in pure our bodies of water could be dangerous. And the chance of drowning is not the one factor to be conscious of. Florida’s oceans, rivers, springs and lakes have creatures that sting and chew, and that you just gained’t discover in a swimming pool. 

If you have lived in Florida lengthy sufficient, you have in all probability discovered find out how to coexist with wildlife like alligators and snakes. If you have not lived right here for lengthy or are visiting, it could be stunning to study that it is best to assume each lake or pond you come throughout has at the very least one gator in it.

Here’s what to learn about swimming in Florida’s lakes and a few security ideas for sharing the water with among the state’s extra harmful aquatic wildlife.

Discover the Florida springs: The ultimate guide to Florida’s natural springs and their impact

How harmful is it to swim in Florida lakes?

Florida lakes aren’t so harmful to swim in that it ought to cease you from leaping within the water, however there are hazards and critters to pay attention to should you plan on taking a dip. And not all of Florida’s 1000’s of lakes permit swimming.

On the Reddit thread r/florida this week, a Redditor planning to go to the Sunshine State made a put up asking how dangerous it is to swim in Florida lakes.

“I’ve never even been to Florida, but I know that you should assume there’s gators in every body of water other than pools and the ocean…” the put up stated. “They say that everyone swims in lakes and it’s the norm. Is this true?”

As the Redditor identified within the put up, there are such a lot of gators that reside all through the state (a couple of million) that it is best to assume there’s at the very least one gator in any lake you are planning to swim in. Alligators in Florida are recognized to show up in our bodies of water as small as retention ponds and even swimming swimming pools, significantly through the summer time.

“All water in FL has gators. If it’s wet, it’s got a gator,” one other Redditor replied.

But the presence of alligators within the state’s pure waterways would not maintain most Floridians from having fun with a day on the lake. There are sure precautions that these aware of swimming in Florida’s lakes take to make sure a protected time on the water. The predominant rule of thumb is to swim solely throughout daylight in designated swimming areas, as a result of alligators are most lively at night time.

It additionally helps if — like Florida residents who reside on or close to lakes — you might be aware of the actual lake you propose on swimming in and the wildlife there. If you are not positive a lake is swimmable, ask an area. Alligators aren’t the one factor to pay attention to. Cottonmouths (venomous semiaquatic vipers) reside in lots of Florida’s pure waterways, and a few lakes might have micro organism that thrive in heat, stagnant water.

If you do not belief native experience or cannot discover a native that can assist you discover the most secure lake close to you for swimming, keep on with designated swimming areas, akin to State Parks, as a substitute of pure or unmonitored lakes. You may examine the Florida Department of Health’s Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB) information web page for any well being alerts tied to aquatic toxins.

There are at the very least six state parks in Florida which have designated lake swimming areas, which you will discover on the Florida State Parks website. If you need to soar right into a physique of pure, recent water in Florida however aren’t bought on leaping right into a lake, Florida’s freshwater springs are one of many state’s most unusual pure wonders and supply crystal-clear water (so you have got a greater probability at recognizing any lurking gators or snakes).

“Florida’s lakes are placid and peaceful bodies of water. The calm, fresh lakes at Lake Louisa, Alfred B. Maclay Gardens, Lake Manatee and other state parks let you relax and enjoy the environment around you,” the Florida State Parks website says.

Oh, snap! Here are the five Florida rivers with the most alligators

Florida’s 6 venomous snakes embrace a semiaquatic viper

There are greater than 40 species of snakes native to Florida, however only six are venomous. Among the deadliest are cottonmouths, semiaquatic vipers often known as water moccasins, and the three species of rattlesnake that reside within the Sunshine State. If you are swimming in a Florida lake, the cottonmouth is the venomous snake probably to cross your path.

The three species of rattlesnake native to Florida are the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake. Florida’s different two native species of venomous snakes are the copperhead, which is native to the Florida Panhandle, and the Eastern coral snake.

“Cottonmouths are found throughout Florida and in every county,” the Florida Museum says. “They also occur on many nearshore islands, including the Upper Florida Keys and several islands in the Gulf of Mexico in Levy and Franklin counties.”

Unfortunately, cottonmouths are easy to misidentify because adults are often too darkly colored to see the pattern on their scales.

Many people often confuse them with harmless water snakes. Some water moccasins look browner than others, striking a resemblance to the banded water snake, which has a patchy brown body.

When on land, dark black adult cottonmouths can also be easily confused with harmless black racer snakes. Remember that if you see a snake that resembles a water snake or black racer slithering with its head tilted upright, it’s more than likely a cottonmouth.

To see photos and more in-depth descriptions of these and Florida’s native, harmless snakes, visit the Florida Museum’s guide for identifying the state’s snakes.

Here’s the checklist: Florida has 6 native venomous snakes.

Alligators lurk in virtually all Florida lakes

According to the FWC, Florida is house to an estimated 1.3 million alligators, living in all 67 counties and in all wild areas of the state that can support them. With that many alligators living in every area of the state, it’s safe to assume that most lakes have at least one gator living in them.

If you’ve lived in Florida for long enough, you likely know that coexisting with alligators is a part of life in the Sunshine State. As long as you keep your distance and never feed one if it crosses your path, you should be fine.

But there are some dangers to pay attention to, especially if you’re planning on swimming in a natural body of fresh water or if you own a home in the state (even if the closest body of water is a retention pond).

During mating season (from April through June), male alligators become more combative and have a much wider range of travel than is typical throughout the rest of the year. During these months, they can roam over 1,000 acres of land and tend to become more aggressive.

Dominant males typically kick out the weaker male alligators during mating season, which is one of the reasons Floridians see more alligators on golf courses and in their yards, retention ponds and pools during the summer months.

What should I do if I see an alligator? Safety tips for swimming with gators

Though Florida residents have learned to coexist with alligators, the potential for conflict always exists, according to the FWC. The FWC recommends avoiding feeding alligators and keeping your distance if you see one.

“Swim solely in designated swimming areas throughout daylight. And maintain pets on a leash and away from the water,” FWC’s site states.

If you’re already swimming and see an alligator while you’re in the water, calmly swim in the other direction and get out of the water. Don’t splash around; this will attract the alligator.

According to the FWC, “If an alligator bites you, the perfect factor to do is battle again, offering as a lot noise and resistance as potential. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes might trigger it to launch its grip. When alligators seize prey they can’t simply overpower, they may typically let go and retreat.”

You can also trigger a alligator’s gag reflex by shoving objects into the back of its mouth, if you have to. If it gags and tries to reposition its grip on you, that’s your window to escape.

If you spot an alligator in your yard or pool, don’t approach it. The FWC has a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program with a gator hotline. If there is an alligator on your property, call the free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) will issue a permit to one of its contracted nuisance alligator trappers, authorizing the removal of the animal.

The state pays its contracted nuisance alligator trappers for each job they are called out to. Calling SNAP’s toll-free number and having a trapper come to your home won’t cost you anything.

Florida’s most common, dangerous wildlife and how to stay safe

Lianna Norman is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.