| Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is the difference between American Alligators and American Crocodiles? The difference is easiest to see in the shape of their heads. Alligators have very wide, round shovel-like snouts, while Crocodiles have very narrow snouts. When their mouths are closed, only the upper jaw teeth are visible on Alligators, while both upper and lower jaw teeth are visible on Crocodiles. Crocodiles are generally lighter in color than Alligators. Both have bony plates on their backs, called osteoderms, which are taller on Crocodiles than they are on Alligators. In behavior, American Crocodiles are usually much more reclusive and will shy away from people quicker than American Alligators. Is it true that American Crocodiles don't have tongues? No. All Crocodilian species have tongues. Crocodiles’ tongues are much smaller than Alligators’ tongues because of their head shapes. But, Crocodiles have glands on their tongues to help them expel excess salt. These allow them to stay in salt or brackish water while Alligators need to return to fresh water to flush salt from their systems. Do American Alligators live anywhere besides Florida? Yes. The largest populations of American Alligators are in Florida and in Louisiana, but they are also found in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Do American Crocodiles live anywhere besides Florida? Yes. However, the American Crocodile will not live near any human populations or developments. There are now only two remote populations in south Florida. Outside of the United States, there are small colonies found along Cuba, Central America, and northern South America. Are American Alligators still endangered? Not at the present time. In 1967, the American Alligator, Alligator Mississippiensis, was named an Endangered Species by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. In 1987, it was removed from the endangered species list. But is still very much protected by State and Federal laws. The biggest problem for American Alligators, like many of Florida's animals, is a shortage of suitable habitat due to human encroachment and development. If I do encounter an Alligator, should I run zig-zag? No. You can't out zig-zag an Alligator! Small to medium sized Alligators run pretty fast on dry ground. However, the most dangerous Alligators are the large ones, even though they are too heavy to run far on land. Most Alligator attacks take place in the water. Alligators are very fast, strong swimmers. They wait for their prey to get too close in the water...and attack. Stay safe in Alligator areas and stay out of the water! Swim only in designated swimming areas away from all weeds, cattails, or any overgrown areas that may give Alligators cover to hide in. Also, avoid activity around water at dawn or dusk when Alligators are most active. And don't forget, Alligators can see better at night than you can in the daytime! What animals live on Florida’s St. John’s River? Florida’s St. John’s River is home to a large and diverse group of animals. On an Eco-Tour Guided Safari by Jungle Jim Greene’s Alligator Safaris, you may encounter many animals, including the following species: Black Bear, Bobcat, River Otter, Striped Skunk, Raccoon, White-Tailed Deer, American Alligator, Florida Snapping Turtle, Alligator Snapping Turtle, Yellow-Bellied Slider, Florida Softshell Turtle, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Sandhill Crane, Wood Stork, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Red-Tailed Hawk, Osprey, the Official American National Bird - Bald Eagle, the Official Florida State Bird - Mocking Bird and other native Florida and migratory birds. What are the scientific names of animals on Florida’s St. John’s River? The scientific names of animals on Florida’s St. John’s River are as follows: Black Bear (Ursus americanus), Bobcat (Felis rufus), River Otter (Lutra canadensis), Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Raccoon (Procyon lotor), White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), Florida Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macroclemys temmincki), Yellow-Bellied Slider (Pseudemys scripta scripta), Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox - formerly Trionyx ferox), Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), Great Egret (Egretta alba), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis), Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), Red-Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), the Official American National Bird - Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the Official Florida State Bird - Mocking Bird (Mimus polyglottos). Where did the St. John’s River name come from? The St. John’s River is a river of many names. Florida’s first inhabitants, the Timucuan Indians named it Welaka, meaning the River of Lakes. In the early 1500s, Spanish sailors called it Rio de Corrientes, or the River of Currents. When French seamen arrived on May 1, 1562, they called it Riviere de Mai, or the River of May. This angered the Spanish, who attacked and defeated the French in 1565. To celebrate, they renamed the river San Mateo to honor the Saint whose feast followed the day after their victory. But that was not to last and the Spanish renamed it yet again. This time they called it Rio de San Juan to honor the Catholic Mission San Juan del Puerto at the mouth of the river. Finally, the English translated the name to the St. John’s River, and it has been known as the St. John’s River ever since, through English Colonial rule, through pre-Civil War American times, through the Civil War Confederacy and through modern America today. |