The recent attack of a Naples man by an alligator certainly reminds us that this is something that can happen in Florida.
But it doesn’t mean that every time you go for a walk or a run or a bike ride you should be looking over your shoulder. Alligators are a common sight around Florida, although the number of attacks, especially fatal ones, is low.
The man attacked in Naples on April 19, 67-yar-old Ray Fingeret, was walking his dog on Quarry Drive near Immokalee Road, when the gator attacked him and attempted to drag him to a pond. First responders treated Fingeret and airlifted him to Lee Memorial Hospital, in Fort Myers.
How many alligators are there in Florida?
An estimated 1.3 million alligators are in Florida and can be found in all 67 counties, according to FWC.
They can be found in practically all fresh and brackish water bodies and occasionally in salt water.
Why do alligators bite people?
Alligators seldom bite people for reasons other than food, according to the FWC. Female alligators may protect their nests by hissing and opening their mouths to frighten intruders but rarely bite people.