Reptiles of Florida

Reptiles are defined as animals that are cold-blooded, lay eggs and have skin covered in scales. There are more than 8,000 species of reptiles on the planet, and they live on every continent except Antarctica. The warm and moist climate of Florida makes the state an ideal home for many reptile species including crocodiles, alligators and a variety of turtles, lizards and snakes.

  1. American Alligator

    • The American alligator is common in all parts of Florida.

      The American alligator is the reptile that is most often associated with Florida. They prefer fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers, both of which are common throughout the state. American alligators are black with broad, rounded snouts. They have prominent eyes and nostrils with coarse scales over the entire body. They prey upon fish, birds, turtles and small mammals.

      Adult alligators range in size from 9 to 14 feet long and weigh an average of 800 lbs. The longest alligator on record in Florida was 14 feet, 3 ½ inches and the heaviest alligator on record weighed 1,043 lbs.

      The American alligator was placed on the endangered species list in 1967. Conservation efforts and strict hunting regulations allowed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to pronounce it fully recovered 20 years later. Florida still manages and regulates the alligator population to ensure the species is not endangered again.

    American Crocodile

    • The American crocodile can be found in south Florida.

      American crocodiles are commonly found in ponds, creeks and swamps in south Florida. Often mistaken for an alligator, the American crocodile is green with a narrow, tapered snout. It is more aggressive than an alligator and averages from 7 to 15 feet long. The average American crocodile weighs between 150 to 450 lbs.

      Crocodiles regulate their body temperature by lying in the sun or moving to areas with cooler air or water temperatures. Crocodiles also leave their mouths open for long periods of time. This is not a sign of aggression but is another way for them to regulate body temperature.

      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classified the American crocodile as an endangered species in 1996. The decline of crocodiles was primarily due to poaching and hunting by humans. There are approximately 500 to 1,200 American crocodiles in Florida.

    Loggerhead Turtle

    • The loggerhead turtle can be found in the Florida coast.

      The loggerhead is the most common sea turtle in Florida. The largest of all hard-shelled turtles, loggerheads have huge heads, strong jaws and a reddish-brown shell. The average adult loggerhead weighs 275 lbs. and is 3 feet long.

      The loggerhead is a carnivore and eats fish, crabs and jellyfish. It uses its jaws to grab and crush prey. The loggerhead is a slow swimmer compared with other turtles. This makes it susceptible to predators such as sharks.

      The loggerhead was placed on the endangered species list in 1996. The greatest threat to the loggerhead is the loss of nesting areas due to coastal development.

    Gopher Tortoise

    • Gopher tortoises are commonly found in all areas of Florida.

      The gopher tortoise is a common spotted reptile in Florida. The gopher tortoise is an expert digger and moves earth to make burrows that can reach up to 5 feet long. The tortoise lives in the burrow, which protects it from extreme temperatures, drought and predators. Surprisingly, the gopher tortoise shares its burrow with other species, including rabbits, opossums, mice and snakes.

      The gopher tortoise eats seasonal fruits, legumes and grass. The average lifespan of a gopher tortoise is 40 to 60 years. An adult grows to an average of 9 to 11 inches long.

      The gopher tortoise was classified as an endangered species by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1996. Gopher tortoises are threatened by habitat loss, logging, disease and road mortality.