Alligators primary feeding time is at night. Smaller alligators will eat small fish, snails, insects, and frogs. Larger alligators will eat fish, waterfowl, snakes, turtles, and small mammals. Fish are a large part of the Lake Apopka alligator diet, about 90%.

Both male and female alligators bellow. Male alligators bellow louder than the females. He raises his head and tail out of the water when he prepares to bellow.

Alligators were hunted to near extinction and alligator hunting was banned in the early 1960's. Today it is estimated that Florida's alligator population could be one million. It is a difficult task to estimate how many alligators there are, but it's no doubt that they have made a great comeback!

The Green Heron can be seen near the boardwalk usually in zones 5 and 6. They feed on minnows, insects, and other small vertebrates and invertebrates. The Green Heron sometimes uses bait to catch minnows. A variety of bait is used, for example, insects, twigs, and feathers. They drop the bait into the water and catch minnows that are attracted to it.

The Limpkin's bill is adapted to have a tweezer like function that enables them to extract the apple snail from it's shell. This is one of the two known Limpkins in the preserve. As you walk along the boardwalk you may see empty snail shells, a good sign that a Limpkin was in the area.

ONP Observations - April 2005
by Mike Brinkley
   Here is another photo update on some of our wildlife activity.


   Wood Ducks can usually be seen in the morning, roosting in trees close to the lake or swimming near the boardwalk.


   There are at least eleven Great Blue Heron nests in the preserve, almost double the number from last year. This Great Blue is preparing to incubate the eggs while its mate is off hunting for food.


  The Northern Parula is a colorful and vocal little bird that arrives with the coming of spring. It can be seen feeding on insects in trees and shrubs but more often You just hear it.
   
   Groups of White Pelicans soaring above Lake Apopka are an impressive site. With a wing span of nine feet, they are easily observed from a distance compared to smaller birds.

   A White Pelican taking flight near the Lake Apopka pavilion.