Florida has no shortage of wildlife, but one familiar reptile has now claimed an especially unsettling distinction: The American alligator is the deadliest animal in the state, according to a new national report.
Through August, Florida remains in the nesting and incubation part of the alligator reproductive cycle, a period when females may aggressively defend nearby eggs.
What's happening?
A 2026 analysis from World Population Review named the American alligator as Florida's deadliest wildlife threat, as 610 WIOD Florida News reported. Florida and Texas were the only states where alligators held that spot.
In much of the U.S., the most dangerous animals were different: Venomous snakes led in 14 states, and animals such as deer, bears, and moose were responsible for the highest totals in 18.
Florida's mating period for alligators ended in June, but nesting season is still underway and continues through August.
During that time, female alligators stay close to concealed egg mounds, including near shorelines where people commonly walk, fish, or bring pets.
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Why does it matter?
Human-wildlife friction can increase the risk of dangerous encounters, according to BBC Future.
Summer is a time when more people are outdoors. However, that seasonal overlap raises the odds of conflict in Florida. If a person — or a pet — approaches too near the shoreline, a nesting female may respond defensively even when the nest itself is hard to see.
What can I do?
During nesting season, experts advise leaving more room around lakes, ponds, and other shorelines. Staying back from the water can help avoid surprising an alligator guarding a nest.
Pets also need extra distance. One of the clearest precautions is to keep dogs out of vegetation along the shoreline.
If you plan to swim, use marked areas and go only during daylight hours.
Residents can contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-866-FWC-GATOR to report a nuisance alligator that is more than 4 feet long.
Florida's deadliest animal is also one of its most iconic, and coexistence is a fact of life.
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