Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures Blog

  There’s always been a lot of interest in alligators. Most visitors in Florida can’t escape the presence of this creature. For one, alligators proliferate all over the state. There are around a million gators thriving in the Sunshine State. The alligator is also the official reptile of the state. That in itself should tell you the importance of this animal. It’s surprising but many people are still confused about gators. They don't know where the alligator falls in the order of things. Is it a reptile or an amphibian? This post will answer that. The alligator is a card-carrying member of the reptile group. Why is an alligator a reptile? Simple. It checks all the boxes that characterize reptiles. For one, they use their lungs to breathe. All reptiles have lungs, even snakes and turtles. While most amphibians have lungs, some have gills. Amphibians also breathe through their skin. This is something gators don’t do. Alligators are vertebrates. The same as other reptiles. The alligat...

  The American alligator is one of Florida’s top attractions. It might not draw in the crowds like Disney but many of the state’s visitors do come to see these reptiles. Who can blame them? Alligators might be the closest thing you’ll ever get to a dinosaur. They’re not one but they’re related to those magnificent creatures. The gator is fascinating in its own right. There are many interesting facts about this reptile. Many people want to know how big alligators can get and their speed. For the record, most gators are between 8 to 12 feet long. They’re also fast for their size. They can run as fast as 35 mph, but they can only do this for a short period. They’re a bit slower in the water though with their top speed clocking in at 20 mph. One of the alligator’s distinguishing features is its teeth. Alligator teeth look scary. It’s easy to see how they can rip the limbs of their prey. Here are interesting details about these pearly whites. An adult gator will have around 80 teeth. T...

  They say that age is only a number. That’s true in the animal kingdom. Some animals live hundreds of years old, meanwhile, some insects like mayflies only live for one day. Alligators and crocodiles are also known for their longevity. Like their dinosaur cousins, these reptiles are hardy survivors. But how long do these massive creatures live? The answer will throw you for a loop.   The alligator is one of the oldest living species in the world. The Alligatoridae family has been around for 37 million years. They’re not dinosaurs nor are they descendants of these reptiles. But they do belong to the same reptile group. Alligators don't live long like giant tortoises. But they’re no slouches in that department either. American alligators reportedly live about 30 to 50 years in the wild. But gators in captivity live longer. Many can live up to 70 years old.   There’s a reason for the discrepancy in life expectancy . Gator hatchlings and juveniles are in danger from predator...

  For individuals who live near shallow waterways, a flat-bottomed airboat with strong propellers is suitable for traveling without being entangled in marsh plants. Without a doubt, it is a good investment. However, many people are unaware of the cost of an airboat . If you are one of them, we highly recommend that you read this post. A new model should cost between $40,000 and $400,000, while a used one should cost between $5,000 and $30,000. However, the price might vary greatly based on a variety of circumstances.  Because an airboat is costly, most individuals who wish to acquire one evaluate both new and secondhand models. Which one should you choose? The decision heavily relies on your financial capacity.  Why Are Airboats Expensive?  The most often asked question is why modern airboats are so expensive. The main cause for this is a lack of mass manufacturing. Furthermore, huge airboat engines and fans are costly. Take into account that most elements are handma...

  There’s some misconception that you can find alligators all over the world. The confusion could stem from people confusing gators and crocodiles. These two reptiles share certain similarities but they are two different species. You might wonder “what is an alligator and how does it differ from a crocodile?”    Both reptiles have strong and streamlined bodies with muscular tails. But alligators have darker colored skin than crocs. Their snouts are also wider and rounded with their nostrils facing upwards. This allows it to breathe while its body is submerged. Their teeth are also distinct. An alligator has no protruding teeth when they close their mouths, but you can see a crocodile’s fourth teeth protruding from its snout even when it’s closed.   Did you know that alligators are endemic to two countries? These are the United States and China. American gators are only found in North America. They live in the coastal regions on the Atlantic coast. They thrive in Nor...