Woman Bit By Alligator In Popular Tampa Bay Area
If you live in the Tampa Bay area then you know the you may find an alligator in any body of fresh water. Well, on the 4th of July a woman was bitten on the leg by an 8-foot alligator. She is in the water in the Hillsborough River in Tampa when she was bit. She was taken the hospital, but there has not been an update on how she is doing.
Where Alligators Are Found
If you are wondering, alligators live in all 67 counties in Florida. There are an estimated 1.25 million alligators in Florida and there is 5 million in the southeast United States. You can find alligators in any body of water including lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps and man-made canals. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says, “Remember, never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water.”
Alligator attacks are rare, but they do occur. Since 1948, there have been around 450 alligator attacks with only 30 of those being fatal. Crocodiles are also found in Florida although they primarily are found in south and southeast Florida. There are over 2,000 adult crocodiles in the wild.
The History of the Alligator
You know how we say that alligators are dinosaurs. Well, that is pretty much spot on. They have been around since 53 million to about 65 million years ago. The name alligator is a form of el lagarto, the Spanish term for “the lizard”. The largest ever alligator recorded, which was found in Louisiana, measured 19.2 feet long. Most alligators weigh 790 pounds and are 13 feet long. There is also an species of alligator that live sin China, but they are smaller than our alligators.
Underrated Florida Beaches That Are Filled with Beauty
Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach still has a good amount of damage from the hurricane, but Margaritaville is open, so you’ll find plenty to do there. Situated on Estero Island, Fort Myers Beach is one of the state’s most underrated beaches. At Fort Myers Beach, you’ll find beautiful, white-sand beaches and gorgeous sunsets.
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Sarasota
Make sure to visit Siesta Key here, as well as Sarasota Gay Beach and Crescent Beach. Just south of Tampa Bay, Sarasota is a lovely beach town that is especially popular during the holidays. You’ll find lots of local shopping opportunities here.
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St. George Island State Park
St. George Island State Park is located on a barrier island fronting the legendary Apalachicola Bay. It’s a great place to gaze at the stars. Note that starting March 1, 2025, the campground at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park will be closed for an expansion project.
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Santa Rosa Beach
If you head to Santa Rosa Beach and want to find some really special, and secret, beaches, try Blue Mountain Beach and Grayton Beach State Park. This beach town is less crowded than most, which makes it a low-key getaway.
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Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach is located on a 40-mile barrier island, Pensacola Beach, and has beautiful, translucent waters. It’s a really small town, so it’s much less crowded than other beaches. It’s a hidden gem.
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Discover Your Own New Favorite
If you don’t want to go too far, do some digging and visit one of the closest beaches to you, that you haven’t visited yet. This is one of my favorite things to do. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite beach super close to home.
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