Why Lake Okeechobee Is the Gator Capital of Florida

Quick Take

• Lake Okeechobee holds a staggering number of alligators, and the exact count reveals just how outnumbered visitors really are. See the alligator count →
• A midnight swim across one of the lake's canals ended in a way most people wouldn't predict, with only half the swimmer making it across. Read the canal attack →
• Swimming in Lake Okeechobee is dangerous for reasons that go well beyond alligators. See the swimming dangers →
• Bull alligators can tip the scales past a number most people associate with large livestock rather than reptiles. Check the weight records →

Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and among the largest freshwater lakes in the United States. It’s so wide that from the shore you can’t see the other side. Alligators are found in all of Florida’s freshwater, but nowhere more so than in Lake Okeechobee. Continue reading to discover why Lake Okeechobee is the alligator capital of Florida.

What is an Alligator?

There are two extant species of alligators: American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) found in the Southeastern United States, and Chinese alligators (A. sinensis), which are found in a limited area of East-Central China.

Alligators are reptiles, meaning they are cold-blooded (ectothermic) animals that rely on the sun to regulate their body temperature. They possess tough, scaly skin protected by bony plates called scutes. Alligators lay leathery-shelled eggs in terrestrial nests, and they breathe air through lungs, despite spending most of their lives submerged in water.

Lake Okeechobee

Native to the Southeastern United States, American alligators are common in Florida, where they live in all types of freshwater, and Lake Okeechobee is the most alligator-dense lake in Florida. Lake Okeechobee is south of the Kissimmee River, the lake’s main source. The lake is approximately 55 miles northwest of West Palm Beach.

There are more alligators living in the waters of Lake Okeechobee than in the waters of any of Florida’s other lakes. The lake is 730 square miles with an average depth of only nine feet. Lake Okeechobee is 36 miles long and 29 miles wide. With an estimated 33,500 alligators as of 2026, it’s no wonder Lake Okeechobee is known as the gator capital of Florida. 

There are approximately 1.3 million alligators across the state of Florida. Because of their abundance, Florida has an alligator hunting season, beginning in mid-August. Hunting requires a permit, with approximately 10,000 to 15,000 applicants vying for 7,500 permits. Permits allow hunters to harvest two alligators that are at least 18 inches long from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail.

How Big Are Alligators?

American alligators can grow up to 14 feet long and can weigh over 1,000 pounds. However, the average mature bull alligator measures 11 feet long and weighs between 500 and 600 pounds. Adult female alligators, often called cows, are significantly smaller than bulls, averaging 8.2 feet in length and weighing approximately 200 pounds.

What Do Alligators Eat?

Alligators are an integral part of the native ecosystem of Florida. They are apex predators that shape the entire food web around them. Lake Okeechobee alligators eat pickerel, crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. They also prey on amphibians, water snakes, small birds, and rodents, especially when the alligators are young.

Can You Swim in Lake Okeechobee?

Swimming in Lake Okeechobee is discouraged and considered unsafe due to its large population of alligators, venomous snakes, and severe toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms caused by agricultural runoff.

Have There Been Alligator Attacks in Lake Okeechobee?

Alligators actually have a lot more to fear from humans than humans do from alligators. However, in 2008, an 18-year-old attempted to swim across one of Lake Okeechobee’s numerous canals. It was the middle of the night, and although the young man made it across the canal, his left arm did not. The alligator responsible was 11.5 feet long.

Where Can You See Alligators in Lake Okeechobee?

One of the best ways to see alligators in Lake Okeechobee is to take a walk, or a bicycle ride, along the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST). The LOST circumnavigates the entire lake, though sections are often closed for dike or pathway repairs. 

Alligators live in all the waters of Lake Okeechobee, so if you spend enough time there, you’re certain to see an alligator. Just remember to stay at least 10 feet from the water’s edge, while keeping a close eye on pets and children. Never approach an alligator, regardless of its size. Always be aware of your surroundings when exploring Florida’s alligator-inhabited lakes.