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sop

(20,206 posts)

6. All natural bodies of fresh water in Florida are potential habitats for alligators and poisonous snakes.

Reply to marmar (Original post)

Tue Jun 30, 2026, 10:27 AM

Jun 30

Warm freshwater can also harbor brain-eating amoeba, an organism that enters the body through the nose and is almost entirely fatal. And since most natural lakes are not chemically treated, toxic algae blooms can cause skin rashes, eye irritation, or respiratory issues. Swimmers (and waders) should stick to ocean beaches, treated swimming pools and constantly-flowing natural springs.

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6 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

The Blue Flower wyn borkins Ritabert ms liberty Vegan4life ihaveaquestion

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Highlight:

Woman dies after alligator bites off her arm in Florida river [View all] marmar Jun 30 OP

There are an estimated 1 million gators in Florida so swimming in fresh water is a no-no Ritabert Jun 30 #1

Salt water isn't totally safe what with flesh-eating bacteria.. Ritabert Jun 30 #4

marmar: Perhaps Soften the Title Ever-So-Slightly (???) wyn borkins Jun 30 #2

I grew up in central Florida The Blue Flower Jun 30 #3

I hear there are thousands in Lake Kissimmee alone. Ritabert Jun 30 #5

Orlando used to be called the City of a Thousand Lakes The Blue Flower Jun 30 #9

Interesting. Ritabert Jun 30 #11

Now it's the city of 10,000 swimming pools- with multiple gators in all of them. Wonder Why Jun 30 #18

This was one of the first things I was advised when I moved to South Carolina also. Totally Tunsie Jun 30 #17

All natural bodies of fresh water in Florida are potential habitats for alligators and poisonous snakes. sop Jun 30 #6

In cities (like Orlando) people insist on tossing food to gators. That is a fatal no-no. Gators allegorical oracle Jun 30 #12

That'll do it. underpants Jun 30 #7

I stayed at a nice hotel in Orlando as kid RANDYWILDMAN Jun 30 #8

Fla freshwaters are especially hazardous in June and July -- when gators mate, nest, and allegorical oracle Jun 30 #10

Key is to stay out of Florida.**nm misanthrope Jun 30 #20

Rule of thumb for alligators in Florida is a little more nuanced then what people generally say Tommy Carcetti Jun 30 #13

And then a trapper killed two gators "near the scene" flvegan Jun 30 #14

My husband is native to Miami - TBF Jun 30 #15

We hired a guide to go bass fishing in the multigraincracker Jun 30 #16

I'm a Yankee and have been in FL r�is�n_dubh Jun 30 #19