Prevent small children and pets from approaching shorelines or basking alligators or crocodiles. Stay a safe distance from the shoreline (15 to 20 feet 4.5 to 6 meters) and do not swim, snorkel, or dive where prohibited - in any canal, pond, freshwater lake, marked channel, or boat basin inside the park. However, do not mimic prey-like behavior which may attract these animals. Always keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife in the park (15 to 20 feet 4.5 to 6 meters) and do not harass or feed wildlife.Īlligators and crocodiles have plenty of natural food here and do not seek out humans or pets. Though most would rather flee than attack, alligators and crocodiles are wild animals whose behavior is unpredictable. Just because an alligator or crocodile may appear lethargic does not mean that it cannot quickly resume activity to defend itself. Additionally, hurt and even dead animals can be dangerous to touch or handle. The only statue of an animal in the park is that of a Florida panther outside the Ernest F.

You should never assume an animal in Everglades National Park is hurt, dead, or fake. They may not move for hours, but don’t worry, they are fine. Because alligators and crocodiles are so big, it takes longer for their bodies to reach desired body temperatures than for smaller reptiles. All reptiles, including alligators and crocodiles, absorb heat from the environment instead of creating their own heat like mammals and birds do.

For more information visit the park's website.8.Why isn't that alligator moving, is it dead or fake?ĭuring your visit to Everglades National Park, you may see an alligator or a crocodile basking, laying out in the sun absorbing its heat, on the side of a trail or road. For the best chance of seeing the wide variety of wildlife, from alligators and crocodiles to 360 different species of birds and the endangered Florida panther, take a tour during the dry season from December to April (there are also fewer mosquitoes during these months). A $30 fee per car allows access for seven consecutive days at all entrances of the park. There is a $15 fee for guests traveling by foot or bike for seven consecutive days at all entrances of the park. Read more about the top Everglades tours here. You can also head to the Shark Valley Visitors Center for two-hour guided tram tours. Previous visitors say the tours are an educational experience for the whole family, but do caution that the airboat rides may be too loud for sensitive ears. Other companies operate similar tours where travelers can get up close and personal with much of the wildlife found within the park.

The highly rated Everglades Safari Park within the park offers eco-adventure tours that include airboat rides, which recent visitors enjoyed, interactive alligator shows, trails and exhibits about preservation. While most of the 1.5 million-acre park is protected for wildlife preservation, the northern area closest to Miami is open for private airboat tours. Known as the 'River of Grass' for its slow-moving water, the national park offers a unique look into the diverse ecosystem and vegetation that filters water as it moves farther south toward the Florida Bay and Key West. About 40 miles west of downtown Miami and a world away from flashy South Beach, the Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wetland in the U.S.

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