American alligator
American crocodile
“Where are the alligators?” is a frequent question fielded by our Guest Services team. For many Ocean’s Reach vacationers, a trip is not complete without a glimpse of an alligator . . . or crocodile!
So where’s the best place to see a gator? Explore the Indigo Trail at the “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. If you’re lucky you’ll see double—an alligator and a crocodile! Both are crocodilians and coexist in South Florida. The last recorded sighting of a crocodile was at The Dunes Golf Club.
Alligators are more numerous than crocodiles in Florida and at first glance it is hard to tell them apart. A closer inspection reveals that the American crocodile has lighter skin and a narrower, triangular shaped snout than the American alligator. Alligators have darker skin and a broader snout, and are typically found in freshwater habitats. Crocodiles, on the other hand, are rare and secretive creatures that inhabit coastal, brackish, and salt-water habitats. Read more here.
Please remember to respectfully enjoy all wildlife from a safe distance.
