This little American Alligator didn’t care much about my presence as it spent the morning lounging. Most, upon any kind of approach, slip silently away. Growing up in the West, I rarely miss an opportunity to take a picture of one when I can.
In my opinion, this is a very underrated reptile endemic to the United States. This American Alligator was lounging around, as they tend to do, in Florida several years ago and let me get some photos. Growing up in the Western US, I’ll rarely skip an opportunity to get some photos or see one any time I’m visiting their range.
A boldly patterned, small Florida Cottonmouth spotted in suitably swampy habitat in Florida a couple of years ago. This pattern will likely fade quite a bit as it ages, but not to the same nearly uniform appearance of their northern relatives.
And no, they don’t chase anyone. Let’s all grow up.
We met this big guy the last time we were in Florida. A Common Snapping Turtle, seen crossing a sand road at the edge of remaining Everglades. There was what looked like a squatted truck gathering in the area, so we’re happy we found it first and helped it off the road.
But, we just kicked the can down the road a bit. The place this old turtle lives is slated to become the next massive residential area as the state continues to fill in. If you’ve never seen the everglades … get down there and do it while you can.
