There’s A Place In Florida Where You Can Swim With Gators
Living in The Sunshine State, we’re no strangers to gators, but there’s a place here in Florida where you can swim with these reptiles.
In Florida, there are over 1 million gators that call the state home. Usually, we’re told to keep away from fresh water and warned of the dangers of gators if we get too close. But if you wanted to get up close and personal and swim with one, in Homestead you can do just that.
Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue in Homestead is a non-profit about an hour south of Miami. They have many rescued animals including tigers, gators, bears, panthers, wolves and lemurs. Their objective is to take in injured wildlife, rehabilitate them and release them back into the wild. The animals that can’t be returned to the wild are either placed in safe homes or kept under care at the rescue.
There are different experiences at Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue. Day passes are available for $20. They also have behind-the-scenes tours where you can feed a tiger, meet a lemur and hold a gator.
The big one is the Underwater Gator Tour where you can actually swim with a gator. Now, before you worry about the dangers this presents, there is a protective net barrier between the swimmer and the gator. There is also a wildlife expert with guests for the whole tour. It’s not just for a thrill, although I’m sure that’s certainly part of it. While you can’t touch the gators, you can get close enough to observe their behavior. You’ll also get educated on these reptiles. The cost of the tour is $250 and perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and underwater photographers.
A noteworthy & unique perspective, Chris Gillette, wildlife biologist & alligator trainer, leads an Underwater Gator Tour at the Everglades Outpost Rescue with alligators he has trained inside an enclosure in Homestead, Florida. Read more: https://t.co/9lZO1OJ2Ip pic.twitter.com/ga2EyCovjl
— The Miami Foundation (@MiamiFoundation) September 23, 2022
You can find more info about the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue here
These 14 Florida Animals Can Kill You
The Box Jellyfish
Did you know? Box jellyfish kill more people each year than sharks. A sting from a box jellyfish can stop your heart. More than 8 different species have caused deaths. And they’re not just here in the tropics. They’ve even, on occasion, made their way up to New Jersey where I’m sure someone guy probably tried to fight it.
I hate these guys - Brown Recluse Spider
I know someone that had multiple brown recluse spider bites on her arm and into her armpit. She didn’t die but it suuuuuuuuuucked. Necrosis, fever, vomiting are all likely symptoms.
The Deadly Black Widow Spider
You normally you won’t die if you get bit by one of these, but are you ready to take that chance? One time I was at a transmitter site and opened a panel to find a black widow nest waiting inside. Momma and all her babies. I don’t help with engineering anymore. Nope.
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
It’s called a rattlesnake for a reason, it’ll rattle it’s tail to let you know you need to move on. If unheeded, this snake has an incredible painful bite. If you don’t get help immediately, you can die. Painfully.
The Big Bad Bull Shark
You knew there’d be a shark on this list. Big and aggressive, they cruise the coast of Florida. They’re generally not looking to bite humans but you know, things happen.
Florida's Most Famous - The Alligator
Class, this is what’s know as an Apex predator. Top of the food chain. More and more often we’re seeing these beasts on the golf course. Don’t wanna get eaten? Stick to Top Golf. I took this picture in the Everglades from an air boat. Was it smart to stop an airboat on shore next to an alligator? Probably not, but this is Florida.
Another snake - The Southern Copperhead
Look at how that thing blends in with the leaves – watch your step. Interesting fact, this snake will generally give you a warning strike with little or no venom. The second bite though… Strangely enough my cat does the same thing.
Soo....... Kissing Bugs?
It sounds friendly enough, except that the “kiss” is actually a bloodsucking bite. Not fun. But that’s not really where the real danger is. These bugs transfer a parasite that transmits Chagas, which may lead to fatal cardiac arrest.
The Great White Shark
Yes, as in “Jaws”. Like old people from New York, they come down here in the winter for the warmer climate. Fortunately they don’t have cars.
Fire Ants
I’ve been bit by fire ants many times, it’s not fun. Fortunately for me after the first couple of bites I’m smart enough to get out of the grass. If you’re allergic, or even if you get enough bites, your body can swell up to the point where you suffocate. The best way to avoid this is to stay inside and play video games. I’ve probably killed millions of these things in my yard over the last decade. But there’s always more.
Ooooooooooooh - Barracuda
Super sharp teeth and don’t normally attack humans. These things can swim up to 35 mph (OMG!) and if something shiny catches their eye, like a necklace on a swimmer, they might accidentally attack.
A Wild Boar
If you live in a rural area down here, you’ve seen these things. They are mean, and will attack. The best part? They’re full of diseases and bacteria – including anthrax. I knew a guy in North Fort Myers that spotted one but didn’t have his gun. So he killed it with a screwdriver. North Fort Myers people are different.
Florida Panther
True story, that picture was taken in Charlotte County. There’s actually no reported deaths in Florida from panther attacks, although they have been know to take down livestock. No human deaths in Florida, don’t want to be the first.
Black Bear
If they do attack, they tend to maul rather than kill. So, maybe scarring and horrible disfigurement? Black bears live in the rural areas and are quite known to sift through trash and if you leave pet food outside – you may get a new pet. These things are why people in Golden Gate have to be careful where they put their trash cans.
