Alligators
Throughout its tourist history, Florida has been famous for its alligators. People from all over the world come to visit, and many of them want to see an alligator. Cape Coral has its fair share of alligators, and for the most part, live their own quite lives in the numerous canals in the City. But as with other wildlife, as the population grows, so does the problems with alligators. Reports of alligators killing small pets, and being found in swimming pools and back yards have been reported over the years, but fortunately, none of the 24 people killed by alligators in Florida have been in Cape Coral.
Make no mind, ALLIGATORS ARE DANGEROUS! One should never approach an alligator from any distance. While they are not particularly fast runners on land, they are quick, and can easily do some serious harm if approached. They can grow to over 14 feet long and weigh over 1000 pounds, and have very powerful jaws. They are considered an apex predator, with very few enemies.
It is against the law to feed alligators!
Fines and jail time can be imposed if you are caught feeding an alligator.
Once an alligator becomes a nuisance, it is not relocated but euthanized.
Advice to Remember:
“Alligators are fascinating creatures and should by all means be enjoyed as part of the natural beauty of our region. But please remember that they are wild animals and should be respected as such. Once they become too familiar with people, they lose their fear of humans, necessitating their removal from the area for the safety of everyone concerned. A few precautions on our part can help both humans and alligators co-exist safely.”
–Dr. J. Whitfield Gibbons, SREL – Director of Outreach
Alligators are just one of the wonderful wildlife species that can be found in the City. Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, does not actively protect or care for our local alligators, but does offer information on alligator safety and how to report nuisance alligators.
Browse more Cape Coral Wildlife
Burrowing Owl
Cape Coral, Florida: Home to Florida's largest population of Burrowing Owls, charming and tiny, these owls reside in underground burrows.
Gopher Tortoise
The Gopher Tortoise is a native, keystone species that is listed as threatened due to severe habitat loss.
Bald Eagle
The American Bald Eagle is protected by both federal and local laws. Their nests are typically found in old growth pine tree stands.
Florida Scrub Jay
The Scrub Jay is endemic to Florida, meaning it is not found anywhere else in the wild. It is another species under grave threat due to severe habitat loss.
Purple Martin
The Purple Martin is a migratory bird species that stops in Southwest Florida each year. CCFW volunteers have provided important habitat and monitoring.
Cape Coral Butterflies
Florida was named for its plethora of flowers. The pollinators they support, such as butterflies and skippers, are just as numerous and eye-catching!
Cats
Domestic and feral cats are not wildlife, but outdoor cats can have a terrible impact, often hunting and killing other species we care about.
Manatee
The lovable, docile manatee can be spotted relatively easily in the warm waters around Southwest Florida and Cape Coral.
Birds of Cape Coral
Learn more about the many species of birds that can be spotted in Cape Coral and how to identify some of them.
Brown/Green Anole
What the heck are all these lizards running around? Learn to identify the most common anoles and geckos.
Coyotes
As in many parts of the country, coyotes are extending their range into urban areas as they are driven out of their native habitats.
Bees
Bees and their pollination work are widely viewed as one the most critical building blocks in every ecosystem.