They live along rivers such as the Escambia and Perdido and also in lakes such as Lake Eufala, Lake Forest, or Big Creek Lake. With the opening of the newly renovated Gator Alley Boardwalk in Daphne, it's time to review some facts about Alabama alligators along with some tips in being safe around the reptile's habitat. Do not feed or harass alligators. This was not the couple’s first time hunting gators, with Cody and his brother taking a 12’ 6” specimen on Lake Harding in 2021. There are approximately a couple hundred alligators living in the lake at any given time. American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in Florida. The gater at harding wont let you get close to him, when you get about 50 yards from him he will bolt. It’s 40 miles long and with a maximum width of 24 miles. There was a noted rise in alligator attacks in South Carolina in 2022, according to AZ Animals. Abstract. ©Jim Schwabel/Shutterstock. Commercial Fishing. This figure represents adult males, and the adult females are lighter. The boy's mother, 20-year-old Pashun. 6M $227. Still, it’s important to know that this is just the statistical average. Add a reply. 26 in a small lake north of the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Contact a real estate agent to help you with buying or selling. Median home price: $642,735, lot price: $44,900. Easy hike. In fact, the state of Texas is an alligator hot spot. The lake was created in 1963 by the Smith. ABSTRACT: The American alligator inhabits bodies of fresh water in Florida and other southeastern states. 5-footer from Georgia’s Lake Harding. 2. Table of Contents show. Lake Alligator Population Lake George 4,200+ Lake Okeechobee 3,800 Lake Kissimmee 3,300 Lake Trafford 2,900 . 6 km²) of water, Lake Marion is an excellent place for many recreational opportunities. The title for the lake with the most alligators is a tightly contested one, but according to recent studies, Lake George in Northwest Florida holds the title with a count of over 2300. The lake is formed by. Fish around the. MAY 31– There are no sharks in Pickwick Lake, but according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, there is definitely an alligator in Indian Creek. This was not the couple’s first time hunting gators, with Cody and his brother taking a 12’ 6” specimen on Lake Harding in 2021. Lake Murray is a man-made lake northwest of Columbia, the state capital. Adult male American alligators. Rivers. How many square miles is Lake Harding? 9. Keith Combs came across a "big dinosaur" aka a massive 12- or 13-foot alligator that "might be the biggest one I've ever seen," he wrote on Facebook, according to CBS 19. Yes, there are quite a lot of alligators in the state. 14. ”. A majority of these attacks occurred while the person was swimming, wading, or at the water’s edge (CrocBITE database). The largest lake in Texas is Lake Texoma which has no alligators and is an artificial lake created by the construction of two dams on the Red River. In other terms, Lake George is the type of lake that is entirely eco-friendly to crabs and also leaves a good impact on. Lake Blackshear just might be the most alligator-infested lake in Georgia, if news reports are any indication. According to the State of South Carolina, authorities investigate roughly 750 alligator reports made throughout the state every year. Despite this, alligators are indeed present in the lake. An expert, Dr. Alligators like swampy areas, and they like rivers too. View listing photos and property details. An alligator, 4 to 7 feet long, dragged the victim under water in the Seven Seas Lagoon about 9:00 p. “This alligator was found between Centre and Leesburg, Alabama near a house! Game wardens were forced to shoot the alligator — guess he wouldn’t cooperate,” the e-mail states. OCHOPEE, Fla. U. With plenty of opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, and water activities, most descriptions of this lake also note that its fingerlike structures. I've heard from a few people now about alligators. The Georgia Fall Line, roughly 80-100 miles to the south of Atlanta, is the closest place to find alligators in Georgia if traveling from the city. If an alligator is a threat to humans, pets or livestock, call the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at 800-364-4263. The admission is $10. In 2021, a three-foot-long alligator was found in a pond in Bradley County, in East Tennessee. Functionally, the crocodilian esophagus is similar. Lucie County Sheriff's Office helicopter helped. 7 km 2) reservoir on the Chattahoochee River . A pair of alligators trapped swimmers on a pier inside Huntsville State Park over the weekend. Michael Burstein, 75, was pulled into a pond by an alligator in Myrtle Beach in June, and Nancy Becker, 88, was assaulted by an alligator in August after she slipped into a pond while. Five people were attacked, two died. Credit: Bobby Wummer, photographer. No wonder their mascot is the Gators! This small lake has a boardwalk viewing area where guests can see alligators as well as turtles and bats. Columbia is 133 miles from the coast, so it is on the edge of how far inland alligators are going to go. A collection of alligator, crocodile and caiman skulls and skull-replicas on March 22 in a research lab at MU’s Medical Science Building in Columbia. But to see one of these ancient creatures in Lake Michigan seemed impossible. If you’re walking near the water and an alligator approaches you, especially if it emerges from the water, it’s most likely a nuisance. The 37,500-acre lake has a shoreline of 376 mi. There are 581 Lake Harding, AL Vacation Rentals. Yes, naturally, alligators do live in Lake Lanier. Male alligators can grow up to 16 feet in length, although 14 footers are rare, and female alligators can grow up to 10 feet. It was a relatively warm February morning near Prospect Park Lake in Brooklyn, as children played and dog owners strolled by, enjoying a peaceful Sunday on a. Alligators can live up to 60 years in captivity but in the wild they rarely live more than 50 years. Derrick Snelson and his daughter, Shelby, were on Lake Eufaula with Lethal Guide Service, a hunting. For information on freshwater commercial fishing or musseling, visit our website at call (334) 242-3465 or visit the nearest District Office ( Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries District Offices ). The only exception is the Lake Eufaula Zone where hunters must release any alligator that is less than 8 feet in total length. Lake Blackshear covers over 8,000 acres in south-central Georgia. Taylor Lake, Florida. Lake Okeechobee is home to plenty of big gators itself, with almost 2,000 bull gators at last count. An alligator will generate approximately 3000 teeth through the course of its life, though it only has an average of 75 teeth in its mouth at any given time. You must always stay aware, however. Jasper Nance. Some of the best RV camping near Lanett, Alabama, happens at Blanton Creek Park in Hamilton. Don’t swim by thick, vegetated areas or shorelines. In fact, the last reported sighting of an alligator in Missouri was in 2001, when a six-foot alligator was found dead in a pond in St. An adult alligator has between 74 and 84 teeth that are mostly hollow. 1. Male alligators can grow up to 16 feet in length, although 14 footers are rare, and female alligators can grow up to 10 feet. This pamphlet covers only freshwater sport fishing laws and regulations. – A Daytona Beach man bitten by a 9-foot alligator Saturday said the attack happened after he heard a noise at his front door and opened it, only to find an unexpected. 1576W Map It: Lake Type: Reservoir Surface Area. No alligators in the man-made Lake Keowee! Duke Energy created it by building an earthen dam on the Keowee River in the early 70s. Alaska’s black bears average about 200 pounds, brown bears and average 350 to 500 pounds, and big coastal bears can be more than 1,000 pounds. Deep gratitude to Dr. HAMILTON, Ga. Mating for alligators occurs during late spring and early summer, with the female alligators laying eggs mid-June to July. I seen 3 at oliver (small bout 2 1/2 feet) 1 at goatrock (bout 3 feet) and 1 big un at harding up river (8 1/2 feet), I have seen a few in mountain oak creek in the back, there is a swamp in the back on the right side that they come out of. Deputies said that around 1:50 p. Wildlife is abundant in Lake Seminole, including bald eagles, osprey, gopher tortoise burrows, and alligators. Lake Blackshear just might be the most alligator-infested lake in Georgia, if news reports are any indication. The short answer is, it’s “highly unlikely. Throughout the years, alligators have been spotted on Lake Athens and Cedar Creek Lake. Lake Kissimmee, near Orlando,. He was the eighth-largest alligator ever killed in the state and the biggest trapped. S. Goat Rock Lake is a 940-acre reservoir that serves many locals for fishing. Lake Jocassee is famous for its exquisite views, clean water, and brilliant fishing opportunities. Late in 2000, reports of alligators in Lake Norman began to surface. You must always stay aware, however. In the southern half of Alabama, there is an estimated population of about 70,000 alligators. 6:15 AM on Sep 30, 2021 CDT. Breaking News. Lake Seminole has a 365-mile shoreline and covers 37,500 acres of real estate. A video of a 5. Lake Marion. The temperature in the nest determines sex of the offspring. com . Massive 705-Pound Alligator Caught From Georgia’s Lake Harding. Published on August 30, 2023 04:23PM EDT. They permited based on a 3% of the population over 4 feet. Lake Harris is a large lake located in Lake County, Florida. The body of a man who had been retrieving Frisbees from a Florida public park’s lake that serves as habitat for alligators was found with its arm torn off on Tuesday, the. (Video: The. It died at the hands of a trapper, who had been called in for a nuisance gator problem, in 1997, in Lake Monroe. There is no recreational activity on this riverine lake other than fishing. Charles was his guide as he took a gator that was almost 12 feet long. On Tuesday, one alligator was seen sunbathing near Waugh Bridge. The male of the species is notably bigger than the female. Many areas that have large alligator populations offer warnings through signs like these so that visitors and residents know to expect to see the reptiles. Hidden treasure! Several alligator attacks were recorded in Florida in 2022, but only three happened in lakes. PROSPECT PARK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A sick 4-foot-long alligator was caught on Sunday in Brooklyn and officials are looking for the person responsible. Get fishing reports for waters in AL. Lake Harding is part of the Chattahoochee River System which divides Harris County Ga and mainly Lee County Ala. Over 50% of those include alligators that weigh 22 pounds and are under five feet long. Facial Features. This guy is on a gator farm and (hopefully) knows what he's doing. The. m. South Carolina has been home to more than 100,000 alligators. Don't Edit Goat Rock Lake is a 940-acre reservoir that serves many locals for fishing. A video of the. June 16, 2021 at 10:40 a. Morgan Hart, Alligator Project Leader. Table of Contents show. 10-foot, 550-pound alligator goes for dip in Florida family’s pool. No wonder their mascot is the Gators! This small lake has a boardwalk viewing area where guests can see alligators as well as turtles and bats. 5 hours. It is believed that alligators may go through thousands of teeth. Furthermore, lakes serve as an ideal habitat for gators to breed and raise their young. Alligators And Snakes In Lake Norman In 2000, sightings of alligators were reported in the lake. Two brothers from Harris County have caught what is believed to be the largest alligator harvested from Lake Harding. The average adult alligator measures around 11 feet for males and 8 feet for females. The gators, which were. Recently, in 2019, a 10-foot alligator was spotted on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The Everglades National Park is the third-largest national park in the United States! With over 200,000 wild alligators calling this park their home, this is one of the best places to. They’ve discovered that some of the largest alligators in the country live right there in Lake Okeechobee. I was just about to write a column about alligators spreading up the Chattahoochee to Lake Harding, at least – as evidenced by Facebook posts of a large alligator there. Derrick Snelson and his daughter, Shelby, were on Lake Eufaula with Lethal Guide Service, a hunting. The best alligator-free swimming in Richland County is at Lake Murray, a 50,000-acre reservoir northwest of Columbia. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator. A toddler was killed after being dragged into a lake at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa by an alligator after dark on June 14. A bull gator is one that measures over nine. Contaminants can induce or suppress normal endocrine responses. Some specific areas where you might spot these fascinating reptiles are the lower Cape Fear and Neuse River Valleys, as well as parts of. Of 433 alligator lengths obtained, 251 alligators were greater than 6 feet (>1. Two different alligators were spotted in the lake. Lake Harding, Ga | Lake Harding, Al. The massive reptile was found in the. Why You’ll Love Blanton Creek ParkAccording to sightings reported in New Orleans news outlets, there may be between 15 and 50 alligators. Atlanta7 contributions. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Bassfishing72. What rivers in Georgia have alligators?Summary. S. Do not intentionally feed an alligator no matter what its size. C. 25 million alligators live in Florida. Lake Blackshear can be called the most alligator-infested lake in Georgia. Harding Lake is known for its hearty fish population of both introduced and native fish. Yes, there are alligators in North Carolina! While they aren’t as common as in states further south like Louisiana, southeast Texas, or Florida, they are here. Anyway, about the weight of alligators versus crocodiles: Alligators don’t usually weigh more than 500-800 points – 1,000 maximum. 7 km2) Shore length: 156 miles (251 km) Inflow: Chattahoochee River. “If you're walking by a lake, a pond, anywhere in Florida, understand, this is Florida. A fed alligator, Hudson said, is a dead alligator. Lake Alice, Gainesville, Florida. Does Tybee Island have alligators? Georgia’s Most Alligator-Infested Lake. Lakehouse. It’s actually a positive to even be able to say such a thing. . The lake has eight full-service marinas where people can rent, buy, or store boats. Lake Apopka is a 12,400-ha hypereutrophic lake in central Florida that was the recipient of nutrient and pesticide pollution from adjacent agricultural operations for 50 years. Florida wildlife officials have now killed a nearly 12-foot alligator that swam within inches of a frightened paddleboarder in a popular state park during a. Lake Harding is a 5,860-acre reservoir located on the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. While captive, alligators can reach ages of 50-60 years old; in the wild they regularly reach 35-40 years of age. Occasionally, an alligator will show up in a pond or lake in Oklahoma where one would not expect to find it, like Claremore. The alligator is native only to China, Mexico, and the United. 83 m) in length. , stepping on a 10-inch ‘gator in the front yard of his home. The Bear Lake Monster is like a snake but has legs and a big head, which sounds sort of vaguely like an alligator. Darryl Fears. A Florida man put on quite a show for a crowd of nearly 200 people gathered outside a Jacksonville elementary school as he wrangled a 10-foot alligator. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. Lake Harding (also known as Bartlett’s Ferry Lake) is another lake on the Alabama, and Georgia state line. MATHIS — Residents are relieved after a 12-foot alligator was caught near along Lake Corpus Christi. Now, further inland, three alligators were spotted in one day over the weekend. The abnormal American alligator ( Alligator mississsippiensis) population in Lake Apopka has been the object of a number of studies including investigations of. Updated September 30, 2021 9:20 AM. The American alligator is one of the largest reptiles in the world. His parents tried to rescue him; the father was attacked by a second alligator. Food/Eating Habits. Later that year, video of a 5-6′ alligator in Lake Norman was released to the local news. They’re integral to the lake ecosystem and help maintain a healthy balance. However when alligators start making their way into West Point Lake it becomes a bit of a concern as the viewings are rare. 091°W Lake Harding, also known as Bartlett's Ferry Lake, is a 5,850-acre (23. Since there are so few alligators in the area, the lake is still deemed safe to swim in and is encouraged. SMITH LAKE – Residents and sport fishers around Smith Lake appear to be coming into increasing contact with alligators in the lake. The lake also boasts many venomous snakes, as well as turtles, bears, otters, and various bird species. “Many folks who have been going to classes for years and are now getting the training online understand about culling,” said WFF director Chuck Sykes. What lake in Florida has the most alligators? Lake Okeechobee means “big water” in the Seminole Indian language, an appropriate name for a water body whose opposite shore can’t be seen from the water’s edge. The total area is 25,400 acres, which make up a pretty big swamp. A Georgia man may have just broken a state record after bagging a massive 14-foot alligator . Take a look at a few we’ve come up with. . Anahuac hosts an annual alligator festival. The largest alligator ever documented in Florida was 14 feet (4. In May of 2022, a Florida family woke up to an 11-foot-long, 500-pound alligator taking a swim in their backyard pool. An alligator pokes its snout above a frozen lake in Oklahoma. Lake Harding homeowner Christie Sykes is sharing an unsettling video of a large alligator swimming in the popular lake as a. Created by the Columbus Power Company in 1926, this is a 5,850-acre artificial lake on the Chattahoochee River. 048 m]), while 182 were less than 6 feet (<1. Alligators can be found in just about any body of water in Florida, including lakes, rivers, and swamps. Males can grow to 19 feet in length and weigh up to 900 pounds, while females tend to be somewhat smaller on average. If an alligator charges after you, the first step you should take is to run. The 13-foot alligator was trapped and killed Sept. HARDING, Edward Andre (Ted) April 25, 1946 June 22, 2006 We continue to love him in spirit. ©Jim Schwabel/Shutterstock. The draining of wetlands from 1860 to 1960 led to the destruction of the gator’s habitat. A Miami-Dade County neighborhood was taken by surprise after residents discovered a large alligator stuck in a storm drain. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, alligators, songbirds and eagles plus a range of 803 species of fish. Alligators’ presence is in freshwater lakes, ponds, marshy areas, and streams. With at least 1,700 of these largest alligators in Lake. Their entire bodies are covered with large horny plates which protect them from predators and other alligators. Anglers from near and far visit this lake in search. An 11-foot alligator was captured in the Holiday Villages Subdivision near Lake Livingston on Thursday, Oct. In 2014, for example, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) claimed that 326 alligators were hunted and caught in Lake County’s lakes, with two from Lake Eustis exceeding eleven feet and ten over ten feet. The lake is formed by Bartlett's Ferry Dam and is located in Harris County, Georgia with some portions in Alabama. You can view both traits and read more about crocodiles on this page by the National Parks Service. However, these reptiles are not native species to the waters here. As a general rule, alligators don’t live in Lake Lanier. While the sightings may have locals. Your neighborhood: The latest. Authorities responded to a call in Largo, in the Tampa Bay area, about a gator in the. It was considered an impossible road to build, but it was built at a high price. grits and gravy. Well-known for its large lakeside homes, Lake Burton made headlines when University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban sold his $10. Two brothers from Harris County have caught what is believed to be the largest alligator harvested from Lake Harding. Don't EditAlligator attacks are fairly rare and usually result from the desensitization of the animal to humans by illegal feeding (Harding and Wolf, 2006). Don’t get too excited, though, as there have been sightings in the southern part. In the southern half of Alabama, there is an estimated population of about 70,000 alligators. 141 mi²Lake Harding / Area. 8:00 a. The gator was found hiding under a travel trailer when the homeowner stepped. Since there are so few alligators in the area, the lake is still deemed safe to swim in and is encouraged. If you’re planning a fishing trip to Alabama, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Dannelly Reservoir, Lake Eufaula, Guntersville Lake, Lake Harding, Lake Jordan, Lay Lake, Logan Lake Martin, Lake Mitchell, Lake Neely Henry, Pickwick Lake, Smith Lake, Lake. On April 16, fishing guide Rex Chambers posted a photo on his Facebook page showing what was. J. They can be found mostly in the southern parts of the USA, mostly in the state of Florida, Louisiana and Alabama. They could be breaking the law. In fact, wildlife biologists discovered a 13-foot gator living along the shores of Lake Blackshear in 2020. Arkansas is home to some alligators, but not here. Does Lake Harding alligators? Photos and videos of alligators in Lake Harding have brought safety into question over social media. The gator was found hiding under a travel trailer when the homeowner stepped. 83 m) in length. There are cases of stray alligators captured in Dallas, but that doesn’t mean they are widening their territory north of Texas. A bull gator is one that measures over nine. In 2015, a 9-foot alligator made Lake Lewisville its new home. A nuisance alligator trapper removed two alligators — 6 feet and 9 feet long — from Lake Manatee on July 21, she said. Feeding or offering food, including fish or bait, to alligators in Texas. He was identified as Lane Graves of. Photo: Getty. Cars backed up as the alligator made its way across State Road 417. Prices for a holiday home in Lake Harding start at $20. Lake Forest is located in Daphne, Alabama. In 2015, a 9-foot alligator made Lake Lewisville its new home. Also known by the name Cherokee Bluffs, Lake Martin real estate is considered the second largest market for lake homes and lake lots in Alabama. m. Johns County on May 5. Hunting Massive 705-Pound Alligator Caught From Georgia’s Lake Harding Teamwork and grueling hours produce a 705-pound, 12-foot, 6-inch giant gator for two. They have five toes on their front legs and four on their back ones. 3 million alligators living in Florida, with several hundred living in Lake Lochloosa. Signs are up to alert people of an alligator sighting. There was a large population of black carpenters, bricklayers, and. Oh yeah, there are also about 250,000 alligators in Georgia overall. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with trout, Coho salmon, sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, sheefish, and Arctic char. Some of the best places to see alligators are Brazos Bend State Park, Bay Area Park, Buffalo Bayou, Lake Huston, Caddo Lake, and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Flickr. m. The area also has playgrounds, picnic areas, and swimming beaches. Florida wildlife officials have now killed a nearly 12-foot alligator that swam within inches of a frightened paddleboarder in a popular state park during a. Fish around the. Alligators can sometimes be found in river deltas. Taylor Lake is a five-acre freshwater lake connected to the 156-acre John S. It’s known as Big Al — and Cody Quirk. By reporting a sighting, the population can be monitored and managed. Lake Alice, Gainesville, Florida. This peculiar behavior helps it survive through the cold months. Habitat and Environment. With the majority of Florida’s populationLocated on the Oklahoma – Texas border on the Red River, Lake Texoma is the 12th largest U. Contents [ show] So…. For starters, the lake was dammed up in the 1950s. NEW ORLEANS — Some New Orleans East neighbors were out along the Lake Pontchartrain seawall between Marconi Drive and Canal Boulevard when an 8-foot alligator suddenly appeared. COWETA COUNTY, Ga. Located on the Chattahoochee River, Lake Harding in Georgia is a fantastic fishing destination known for its diverse fish population and scenic beauty. Alligators can be found in the Red and Little River systems in southeast Oklahoma, which is the northwestern edge of the their home range. Alligators live in freshwater and are known to be dangerous predators. The incubation of the 15-60 eggs lasts 65-70 days, which means usual hatching is in late August to early. Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state. Don’t let that run you off quite yet, though. Recently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel in West Tennessee at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. Most lakes are freshwater, but some are salt lakes with salinities even higher than seawater. Alligators, endocrine disruption and eutrophic lakes. “Do not corner alligators. m. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. With a crocodile, you can see both top and bottom teeth. A roughly 13-foot, 700-pound alligator was recently found in an irrigation ditch, officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said this week. 2 feet, while the average size for a female gator is 8. Also known as Lake Harding, this Georgia Power lake of 850 acres and is lined with boat docks. Bear Creek Reservoir is a 1,500-acre lake in the northeast corner of AL, nearby Atwood. Located twenty-five miles due north of the city of Montgomery in central Alabama, Lake Jordan is a 6,800-acre impoundment on the Coosa River with 188 miles of shoreline. Two people were injured by alligators in separate incidents within the same week at a recreation center in Florida. Feb. Lake access is limited to the Goat Rock Marina, located on the Alabama side of this lake. If an alligator becomes trapped in a swimming pool, or wanders into a public road and refuses to move, officials ask to call the N. In addition to the 13-foot one caught in 2022, there have also been several 12-foot-long ones. Several tributaries,. From the Daily Review of June 27, 1967, we have a short story on page 22 of one 22-year-old David Maple, 895 West Eldorado St. It is 41 miles long and 14 miles wide and has about 650 miles of shoreline, including sandy beaches. Even still, there have been occasional individuals in. "Alligator bite incident. The largest confirmed alligator ever killed in Florida was 14 feet and 3. With the appropriate licenses and tags, the American alligator can legally be hunted in the Southeastern United States . com has 46 lake properties for sale on Lake Harding, as well as lakefront homes, lots, land and acreage in Hamilton, Valley, Fortson. Conclusion. These claims aren’t verified yet, but it’s still vital to be careful near the lake. 83 m) in length (52 of which were >10 feet [3. But Disney officials had to know. Lake Seminole . 8. Lake Harding, also known as Bartlett's Ferry Lake, is a 5,850-acre (23. He was the eighth-largest alligator ever killed in the state and the biggest trapped. The gators, which were. There was a large population of black carpenters, bricklayers, and. Florida man killed in possible alligator attack while searching lake for Frisbees. As a matter of fact, a record-breaking alligator was pulled from Lake Eufaula in August 2015 that weighed in at 920 pounds. With the option to boat, fish, or participate in water sports, you’ll never be bored at this seasonal RV park. An 11-foot alligator caused a traffic jam just northeast of Orlando on April 27, 2022. It’s known as Big Al — and Cody Quirk. Do not swim in Lake Apopka and reduce your risk of getting hurt or killed when observing alligators. Jonathan Flores, resident of Lakeshore Gardens subdivision near Mathis, said the gator. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator. Alligators in Lake Harris primarily eat fish, turtles, snakes, small mammals, birds, and carrion.