As the largest creatures living in the Everglades, there are over 200,000 alligators in the Everglades and some can reach 14 feet in length and weigh a thousand pounds. In Florida’s Everglades, you can easily observe gators bask in the sun and heat, keeping an eye open for their next big catch.
Visitors to the Everglades will see plenty of alligators, adding to the true wild of the historic swamp. The only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist – the Everglades is unique because fresh water in the Florida Bay meets the salt water of the Gulf of Mexico, creating a perfect ecosystem for both animals to live together.
Alligators also perform an important function in the Everglades. Studies indicate that they contribute much to the preservation of plant and animal life. The alligator contributes toward the preservation of living things by digging basin-like holes in areas where the water table fluctuates greatly. In the Everglades, these “gator holes” constitute the deepest pools and during periods of drought, they provide a refuge for various fish, amphibians and reptiles. These holes also supply food and water for birds and mammals.