Sarasota is a beautiful coastal city on the west coast of Florida.
The city has a humid subtropical climate.
Summer in Sarasota is very hot and humid.
The winters are drier and warmer.
The city experiences distinct rainy and dry seasons throughout the year.
The dry season is from October through May, while the rainy season lasts for four months, from June through September.
The climate in Sasarsota makes it the ideal home for certain wildlife that thrives in tropical and sub-tropical conditions, such as reptiles, birds, mammals, and amphibians.
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So… Are There Alligators in Sarasota?
Sarasota is home to a variety of wildlife such as reptiles, birds, and mammals.
The alligator forms part of the various reptiles you’ll find living in Sarasota.
The climate and location of Sarasota make it the ideal home for alligators.
You can expect to find alligators in nearly all fresh or brackish water bodies.
In fact, Florida and Louisiana are known to have the largest population of alligators in the United States.
There are approximately 1.3 million alligators that call Florida home.
Alligators are so common in and around Sarasota that many residents encounter them in their backyards due to streams and canals that run along the back of some properties.
There are several airboat tours that take visitors to various wetlands, swamps, and marshes around Sarasota and into central Florida to go sightseeing.
In addition, several sanctuaries in and around the city are home to alligators and other creatures native to the area.
It isn’t at all uncommon to see alligators walking across public roads, over golf courses, or even near homes in this city.
Alligator Species in Sarasota
There are only two alligator species left in the world.
The first is the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis).
As the name of the former implies, the American alligator is found in the southern parts of North America and the northern parts of South America.
The American alligator can live up to 30 to 50 years in the wild and females often lay clutches of approximately 20 to 50 eggs during the mating season.
Males grow to between three and five feet in length, while females grow up to three feet in length.
Alligators can reach up to a ton (1,000 pounds) in weight.
The American alligator can typically be found in freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes, swamps, bayous, or slow-moving rivers.
You might also find them in brackish water bodies.
They struggle to survive in saltwater.
They are listed as of the least concern on the conservation status list.
Though this was not always the case.
The American alligator was once hunted to near extinction and made it onto the endangered animal list.
However, through conservation and breeding efforts, the alligators have made a resounding comeback and are no longer on the endangered list.
The alligator is the top predator in Florida’s Everglades and plays a crucial role in the animals that it feeds off and interacts with within the ecosystem.
Is it Safe to Swim in Sarasota?
There are various bodies of water in and around Sarasota, including freshwater lakes, ponds, wetlands, rivers, and the ocean.
Most residents and visitors of Sarasota swim in the various beautiful white sandy beaches of Sarasota.
For the most part, the beaches are safe to swim in.
However, there have been some “no swimming” advisory boards put up around various beaches due to unacceptably high levels of bacteria in the water.
The water quality is monitored on a weekly basis and a news report indicated that these advisory boards were removed as the water quality had returned to acceptable levels a few months later.
Swimmers should still practice reasonable caution as shark attacks in these waters are not uncommon and news reports have indicated the presence of sharks here.
In addition, swimmers should only swim in areas with designated lifeguards.
Apart from the ocean, there are a few ponds and freshwater lakes in and around Sarasota.
It may be best to avoid swimming in any freshwater bodies as there is a high likelihood that you may encounter alligators in those waters.
Most bodies of water that are known to host alligators and other dangerous animals will have an advisory board notifying visitors not to swim in the water.
Interesting Alligator Facts in Sarasota
Alligators were hunted for their meat and hide to the point of near extinction by the mid-1950s.
However, the alligator populations have been monitored via an annual census, and results from the census have been used to issue hunting permits.
Their numbers have soared since the unregulated hunting of gators has been monitored.
Today hunting season lasts from the 15th of August to the 1st of November each year.
Permits are handed out according to the previous year’s census to ensure that alligators are not hunted to near extinction again.
An interesting fact about Florida alligators is that many people refer to them as living fossils because of their appearance and the fact that they look like they were transported to the future out of the prehistoric era.
A study was conducted by National Geographic to prove that this was not the case.
There were alligators in the prehistoric era, but they do not look like the alligators we know today.
Another interesting fact about the American alligator is that it will grow up to 12,000 teeth throughout its lifetime.
No, this does not mean that they have 2,000 teeth in their mouth at any given time.
They actually only have 80 teeth at any given time.
But, they frequently lose their teeth as they are carnivorous hunters and the missing tooth is quickly replaced by a new regrowth.
Contrary to what many famous movies may suggest, alligators are not aggressive toward humans.
There are instances of alligator attacks and, on very rare occasions, these attacks may be fatal.
However, they are lazy hunters and will wait for an opportunity if they do hunt.
Alligators vs. Crocodiles
Many people find it difficult to distinguish between these two reptiles but there are a few indicators that will help you determine if you are in the presence of an alligator or a crocodile.
The first and most commonly discussed difference between these two reptiles is that the alligator has a flat, shorter, U-shaped snout.
The crocodile, on the other hand, has a longer pointier snout.
Another key difference between the alligator and the crocodile is that crocodiles can be found in fresh and saltwater bodies, while alligators are found in fresh and brackish water bodies.
The reason that crocodiles are able to live in saltwater is the fact that they have higher functioning salt glands whereas alligators do not.
This makes it more challenging for the alligators to live in saltwater.
Alligators rarely attack humans and when they do, the attacks are not always fatal.
That’s because alligators are not as aggressive towards humans as their crocodile counterparts.
Crocodiles are much more aggressive than alligators and are known to attack humans.
This, by no means, indicates that an alligator won’t attack a human.
They are lazy hunters.
And, when young children or small animals splash in the water, they may mistake this as a source of food.
Furthermore, alligators are smaller than crocodiles and are more dark colored with a dark gray or black hide and light underbelly, whereas crocodiles tend to be light green or brown and they have a molted underbelly.
Alligators grow to be approximately eight to 11 feet long and up to 1,000 pounds in weight.
Crocodiles grow to be 10 to 20 feet and weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
It was mentioned earlier that the alligator typically has 80 teeth in its mouth at any given time.
Crocodiles only have 66 teeth.
Alligators have webbed feet that allow them to swim better and faster, while crocodiles do not have webbed feet.
However, their feet do have a jagged edge.
Another interesting point is that the males are larger than the females in both alligators and crocodiles.
3 Safety Tips for Swiming in Alligator-infested Waters
- The single most important tip for swimmers who are considering swimming in alligator-infested water is: Don’t do it! There are too many risks associated with swimming in water where alligators are known to roam. Firstly, you will need to be hyper-alert at all times. And, most of us know that when you are having fun, the last thing you want to do is be hyper-alert.
- Avoid swimming or splashing near the banks of a body of water that is known to host alligators. They are not aggressive and won’t attack unprovoked but may mistake small children and animals splashing in the water as prey. They are opportunistic hunters and may lie and wait until a swimmer is close enough. They are also masters at camouflage. Chances are that you won’t notice them until it is too late.
- Always keep an eye out for advisory boards that inform you of the presence of alligators and avoid swimming in that water. Also, remain alert at all times when being near any body of water that hosts alligators.
Summary
Sarasota, Florida has a semi-tropical climate.
These weather conditions create the perfect atmosphere and habitat for alligators to thrive.
In addition, Florida is one of two states that host the highest number of alligators in the United States.
There are undoubtedly alligators in Sarasota, but for the most part, they are shy and remain in hiding until they need to mate or hunt.
Always be vigilant when moving around any freshwater body as these are known to host alligators.
They won’t attack unprovoked but may hunt if they are hungry.
Provided that you exercise reasonable caution when moving around in areas that are home to alligators, you should be fine.
Sarasota Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Sarasota Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Have there been any alligator attacks in Sarasota?
Yes.
Alligator attacks are not that common but they do happen.
In fact, you are more likely to be attacked by an alligator than by a shark in Florida.
Residents and visitors are always advised to be alert when out and about near any freshwater body.
There have been reports of alligator attacks at golf courses and in and around certain housing complexes.
Are there alligators in Phillippi Creek, Sarasota?
There have been a few reports of sightings in Phillippi Creek, Sarasota.
Several tour boats ride up the creek and have mentioned that tourists and visitors have spotted alligators at certain points along the creek.
Are alligators on Siesta Key?
Yes.
There are alligators and crocodiles present across Florida.
And this includes Siesta Key.
Between alligators and crocodiles, you are likely to find more alligators in the sunshine state as their population has grown to over a million.
Yes, there are alligators in Sarasota, Florida.