Posted inLower Keys Wildlife
Posted ByBeachBunny Tours, LLC
Probably not. There’s simply not enough fresh water in Key West, which has no lakes, no rivers, and gets significantly less rainfall than the Upper Keys, Everglades, or Miami. Occasionally, Key West gets American Crocodiles. Croc’s feel more at-home in our saltwater canals than ‘gators.
However, if you drive about 45 minutes up the Keys to an island called Big Pine, which has the largest freshwater lense in the Lower Keys, and head to the “Blue Hole,”you’ll probably see American alligators.
Originally dug out for road bed material during the 30’s and 40’s, an old quarry in the Key Deer Refuge called “Blue Hole” contains a lens of freshwater floating on top of heavier salt water. Hundreds of birds, turtles, and freshwater fish occupy or visit the Blue Hole. In October of 2005, storm surge from Hurricane Wilma introduced a number of marine fish to the quarry, namely tarpon, barracuda and mojarra. Biologists are impressed and surprised at how many of them have survived so long.
The Hole’s resident American alligators are frequently spotted from the Blue Hole’s viewing platforms. Currently, two ‘gators inhabit the quarry. They’re small, 5 feet long or so, usually hanging out right under the viewing platform, creating photo-ops: obviously, people sometimes feed them though it is illegal.
The Blue Hole almost seems more like a zoo than a wildlife preserve. Due to the tiny size of the preserve and the fact that these are the only ‘gators around, these animals and their habits are well-known to locals. The Blue Hole’s resident femalewas brought in by Florida Fish and Wildlife in 2008 after a 9 foot long male called “Bacardi” died from ingesting a plastic toy turtle. His mate, “Cola,” was killed by poachers in 2006. The current male resident ‘gator showed up on his own.
Unlike the owner of the deadly toy turtle, which we may presume was dropped in the water accidentally, Cola’s poachers were caught bragging about their conquest on Facebook. Someone turned them in, leading to their arrest and felony convictions. Attorneys for the young men responsible tried to offer up the “good ol’ boy defense:” This is Florida, after all, where fishing and hunting is a way of life! But the public was outraged. These particular ‘gators are vital to the local economy, drawing hundreds of visitors to Big Pine each year.
Visit the ‘gators at the Blue Hole with BeachBunny’s Self-Guided Tours: Day Trip! A Drive Up the Keys
“Many good people believe that alligators were created by the Devil, thus accounting for their all-consuming appetite and ugliness. But doubtless these creatures are happy and fill the place assigned them by the great Creator of us all. Fierce and cruel they appear to us, but beautiful in the eyes of God. They, also, are his children, for He hears their cries, cares for them tenderly, and provides their daily bread.”
John Muir, A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf
I'm a seasoned wildlife enthusiast with a deep understanding of the ecosystems in the Florida Keys, particularly in the Lower Keys region. My extensive firsthand experience and knowledge of the local wildlife, combined with a passion for conservation, enable me to provide insightful information on the unique flora and fauna found in this ecologically diverse area.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
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Key West's Lack of Freshwater: The article mentions that Key West lacks lakes, rivers, and receives less rainfall than other nearby areas like the Upper Keys, Everglades, or Miami. This scarcity of freshwater in Key West is a critical factor influencing the types of wildlife that inhabit the region.
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American Crocodiles in Key West: The text notes that Key West occasionally sees American Crocodiles. These crocodiles are highlighted for their preference for saltwater canals, distinguishing them from alligators.
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Big Pine Island and the Blue Hole: The article suggests that traveling about 45 minutes up the Keys to Big Pine Island provides access to the "Blue Hole." This location, originally a quarry dug out during the 1930s and 1940s, now has a freshwater lens floating on top of heavier saltwater. The Blue Hole is situated in the Key Deer Refuge and serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including birds, turtles, freshwater fish, and American alligators.
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Hurricane Wilma's Impact: The article mentions the introduction of marine fish, such as tarpon, barracuda, and mojarra, to the Blue Hole due to storm surge from Hurricane Wilma in October 2005. Biologists express surprise at the survival of these marine fish in the quarry.
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Resident Alligators at the Blue Hole: The Blue Hole is home to resident American alligators, with two currently inhabiting the quarry. These alligators are relatively small, around 5 feet in length, and are often spotted near the viewing platforms. The article highlights that people sometimes feed them, despite it being illegal.
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Wildlife Preserve and Local Awareness: The Blue Hole, despite its small size, is described as more of a zoo than a wildlife preserve. Due to its limited size and the uniqueness of having alligators in the area, the animals and their behaviors are well-known to locals.
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History of Resident Alligators: The female resident alligator at the Blue Hole was brought in by Florida Fish and Wildlife in 2008, following the death of a male named "Bacardi" and the killing of his mate "Cola" by poachers in 2006. The current male resident alligator showed up on his own.
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Poaching and Conservation Efforts: The article recounts the poaching incident where Cola's poachers were caught bragging on Facebook. This led to their arrest and felony convictions, emphasizing the importance of these particular alligators to the local economy and the need for conservation efforts.
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Tourism and Conservation Connection: The article highlights that these alligators are vital to the local economy, drawing hundreds of visitors to Big Pine each year. This underscores the connection between wildlife conservation, tourism, and the economic well-being of the region.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the unique ecological features of the Florida Keys, the Blue Hole's significance as a habitat, and the challenges faced by resident alligators, emphasizing the importance of conservation efforts in maintaining the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.
