Texas is not often considered to be a common home for alligators but in reality?
There is a wide range of alligator-infested lakes to be found in the Lone Star State.
Lake Lewisville is chief among them. In order to learn more about the realities of Lake Lewisville and how to prepare yourself accordingly, please be sure to take a closer look at the following guide.
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So… Are There Alligators in Lake Lewisville?
The short answer is yes.
In fact, the state of Texas is an alligator hot spot.
Experts believe that up to 500,000 alligators are currently residing in the state, ranking Texas among the top 5 states in the country when it comes to alligator populations.
They are primarily located in the southeastern portion of the state and Lake Lewisville is a common area for these reptiles to congregate.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials believe that there are at least a few dozen alligators that call Lake Lewisville home.
Since this lake is considered to be one of the top freshwater recreation locations that the state has to offer, it is easy to see why so many residents and visitors are concerned about the potential for alligator encounters.
This is because the lake is connected to a number of different marshes.
These habitats serve as the perfect home for alligators and as a result of their presence, alligator sightings are not rare.
You may see one when you are in the water or you may alligators sunning themselves on the shore.
Alligator Species In Lake Lewisville
The American alligator is the only species that is going to be found in Lake Lewisville.
In fact, these are the only alligators that are native to the United States.
On the off chance that another alligator species makes its presence known, visitors and residents should be aware of a few key facts.
These species are only going to make their way to the area by unnatural forms of intervention.
In other words, these additional species are not going to end up in Lake Lewisville unless someone removes them from a different habitat and brings them.
That’s not to say that it never happens but in most instances, the American alligator is the only species that can be found here.
Is it Safe to Swim in Lake Lewisville?
Most of the parks that are adjacent to the lake provide visitors and residents with swimming access.
Yes, it is safe to swim in Lake Lewisville but there are safety precautions that need to be taken first.
Swimmers must take heed of the protective measures that have been put into place.
Failure to do so can cause a swimmer to end up in an alligator’s habitat before they have a chance to realize the error of their ways.
For the most part, the areas that are best avoided have been roped off for the swimmer’s safety.
As long as you do not wade too far out, there should be no safety issues to speak of.
Snakes, bobcats, and wild hogs have also been known to spend time around Lake Lewisville and swimmers should be aware of their presence as well.
These animals are largely willing to keep to themselves.
As long as a swimmer is not going out of their way to bother them, attacks and negative encounters are kept to a minimum.
Interesting Alligator Facts In Lake Lewisville
Texas is home to far more alligators than most would expect.
In fact, their alligator population nearly matches the entire population of the state of Wyoming.
Wyoming has a population of just under 600,000, while Texas has upwards of 400,000 alligators.
Even longtime residents of the state are surprised to hear these numbers, as these alligators are not typically going to make their presence known.
Texas has a population of 30 million, which means that there is one alligator for every 60 residents.
The only states that have a higher alligator population than Texas are Louisiana and Florida.
It is important to note that alligators are not found throughout the entire state.
They like to spend their time in the wetlands, which are located by the Louisiana border.
The Gulf Coast is also home to a significant portion of the alligator population that the state has to offer, as expected.
If you are not in the eastern half of the state, there is no reason to worry about alligator sightings.
Cities like Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin do not have to stress over alligators.
While these locations are largely alligator-free, Lake Lewisville visitors may see one while they are driving to their chosen destination.
Alligators vs. Crocodiles
Crocodiles are not a worry for the Texas resident or visitor.
These reptiles only thrive in warmer climates and Texas is too cold for them.
While there are crocodiles located in the American southeast, sightings are extremely rare.
They only take place in southern Florida and the American crocodiles that are found there are considered to be nearly extinct.
There are some key differences between alligators and crocodiles that still need to be discussed, though.
Crocodiles should be avoided at all costs, as they are much larger and tend to have a higher level of aggression.
That’s not to say that the alligator should be approached on a regular basis but this is a key difference that bears mentioning.
Alligators have a black or grey coloration, with cream-colored underbellies.
Crocodiles are brown or green and have V-shaped snouts.
The alligator’s snout is U-shaped.
Alligators and crocodiles also have many tactics when it comes to hunting their prey.
The alligator is far more opportunistic.
They will wait until their prey presents themselves and strike when conditions are most favorable.
Alligators wait in tall grasses or by the shore, while the crocodile will rely on their size and stalking skills to find prey themselves.
They utilize their incredible senses and find prey on their own, without having to resort to the sort of opportunistic measures as other reptiles.
3 Safety Tips for Swimming in Alligator Infested Waters
Alligator-infested waters can still be utilized for recreational activities as long as we are taking the proper precautions.
Let’s take a closer look at the most crucial pointers for remaining safe in alligator-infested waters.
1. Use The Buddy System
If you are aware of the alligators that may lurk within the body of water you are swimming in, going alone is not the best idea.
The buddy system is a great way to ensure increased levels of safety.
Alligators are not going to announce their presence in most instances, so having an extra set of eyes (or two) is in your best interests.
By the time you have gotten too close to the alligator, it is too late.
If you can hear the reptile hissing, that means you should have been turning back long before.
With the buddy system in place, these types of mishaps become much less commonplace.
2. Respect The Warning Signs
Lake Lewisville has been set up with swimmers in mind, as the deepest waters are roped off for the most part.
There is no reason to go against the grain and attempt to swim in these waters.
They have been roped off for a reason.
Lake Lewisville has not seen any alligator attacks and these warnings are the primary reason.
Swimmers who are overconfident in their ability to avoid alligators are placing themselves in harm’s way.
By adhering to the warning signs and taking the time to check local advisories, Lake Lewisville swimmers are essentially guaranteed to remain safe.
3. Do Not Approach an Alligator For Any Reason
So, you’re out on the water and you happen to see an alligator sunning itself on the shore.
Perhaps they are in the water with you.
During these moments, it is important to remain calm and reverse course.
Do not continue to approach the alligator.
These reptiles are not looking to attack humans.
They are merely trying to navigate the waters and come across wounded prey or other easy opportunities for a snack.
As long as you are not invading their personal space, you are not going to have much of a problem with them.
Summary
While there certainly are alligators present in Lake Lewisville, there is no reason to be afraid or allow them to diminish your ability to have a good time.
The areas that are especially problematic are typically roped off and you should be safe as long as you adhere to the warnings that have been into place.
Alligator sightings may be common in this area, but alligator attacks are not.
Lake Lewisville may be nestled in an area of the state that has a higher alligator population but that does not mean that all caution can be thrown to the wind.
Be sure to pay close attention to the areas that have been cordoned off and check local advisories if you have any further concerns about the presence of alligators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Forms of Dangerous Wildlife Are Present At Lewisville Lake?
Alligators are a common concern for residents and visitors but there are other forms of wildlife that we need to be aware of if we are going to be spending time in the region.
None of these animals are particularly dangerous to a human being, as long as you are not provoking them or approaching them in a threatening manner.
These animals include snakes, wild hogs, and bobcats.
They tend to avoid people when they do see them but you will need to exercise caution if you end up running into one.
If you happen to cross one of their paths, head the other way if possible.
Otherwise, they may strike if they feel cornered.
Who Would Win a Fight Between a Crocodile and an Alligator?
The crocodile is a fairly easy winner if these two species were to tangle.
Crocodiles are much larger and even if the reptiles were of the same size, the crocodile would still win.
Their much keener senses and longer lifespans would allow them to win the battle, but these types of fair matchups are not often found in the wilderness.
What’s a Nuisance Alligator?
Some may have heard this phrase and may be wondering what the difference is.
A nuisance alligator is any alligator that is over four feet long.
A prime example of this took place when a nine-foot alligator was discovered at Lake Lewisville back in 2015.
Alligators of this size are believed to pose a threat but they are not spotted on a regular basis.
Since the aforementioned incident, no other nuisance alligators have been spotted.
It is important to take precautions and be aware of the potential for alligator encounters when visiting Lake Lewisville, but overall, it should not significantly impact one’s ability to enjoy the recreational activities offered at the lake.