[109], Elliott Key is the largest island in the park, measuring 1,650 acres (670ha) and about 8.1mi (13km) long by 0.62mi (1km) wide. [26] Colonel Robert E. Lee surveyed the area around Biscayne Bay for potential fortification sites in 1849. Closing Thoughts Anyone can enjoy this beautiful city, Florida, and there is no better way to spend time with your family than by visiting some of the most breathtaking national parks of Florida. Biscayne National Park comprises 172,971 acres (270.3sqmi; 700.0km2) in Miami-Dade County in southeast Florida. Photograph by Patrick Lynch, Alamy Stock Photos. [112] In 2012 one undisturbed nest was found and protected, five partially disturbed nests were protected, and one nest was destroyed by predators. Wet season temperatures average between 76 and 85F (24 and 29C) with an average monthly rainfall of 5.39 inches (137mm). The frame structures associated with these plantations, together with those of the Cocolobo Cay Club and frame buildings on Boca Chita Key, have been destroyed by fire and hurricanes. [143], The Fowey Rocks light station transmitted weather data with winds peaking at a two-minute wind speed of 127 knots (235km/h) and a gust to 147 knots (272km/h) before the station ceased transmitting, presumably due to damage from stronger gusts. [87] The bay also has a resident population of common bottlenose dolphins. [76], Biscayne National Park includes a number of navigational aids, as well as an ornamental structure built to resemble a lighthouse. The Everglades national park may even be best-known and most well-known out of all national parks of Florida and receives a lot of tourists from all over the world to view the alligators. WebBiscayne National Park is another popular diving spot in Florida, and for a good reason. 5. The Biscayne National Park nature trail out of the Visitors Center is very easy and is handicap or stroller accessible all of the way to the end. Mosquitos are thick in the summer, and both thunderstorms and hurricanes are frequent in the region. This exciting nature tour includes a narrated airboat ride through the unique ecosystem of the Florida Everglades. Hawaii National Parks. Web478. The bay also provides habitat for juvenile sea animals that have left the shelter of the mangrove belts. Second, they can take a There are over 200 species of fish found within the Florida Reef. Animals that could not be caught Government officials and pro-cycling residents championed the project over the next decades, helping to push it through city, county, state, and federal agencies. [28] Before Israel Jones' death in 1932[29] the Jones plantations were for a while among the largest lime producers on the Florida east coast. Lobsters (within the Biscayne Bay Lobster Sanctuary- click here for more details), 9700 SW 328th Street [118] The Miami blue was feared to be extinct after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, but a population was found in 1999 at Bahia Honda Key. Crocodiles are assholes though. The park abuts the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary on the east and south sides of the park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to the south. For pedestrians and cyclists, the finished path will bring protection from Miami-Dade Countys notoriously erratic drivers. The loop does not close requiring you to return the same distance back to where you started. 33033, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Clients guided by the Joneses included then-senators John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Herman Talmadge and George Smathers through the 1940s and 1950s. [58] In 2009, Turkey Point was proposed as the site of two new 1117MW AP1000 nuclear reactors, to be designated Turkey Point 6 and 7. You might spot an anhinga stretching its wings out to dry or an alligator napping in the sun. Sixteen endangered species including Schaus' swallowtail butterflies, smalltooth sawfish, manatees, and green and hawksbill sea turtles may be observed in the park. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) was established in 2000 to mitigate the effects of human intervention into the natural water flow of the Everglades. [65] Personal watercraft are prohibited in Biscayne and most other national parks,[66] but other private powerboats and sailboats are permitted. Instead of a vertical gradient, the bay shows a horizontal density gradient, with fresh water entering from the drainage canals on the west side and seawater entering through gaps in the keys and through the safety valve section of shoals. [45], Portions of the present park were used for recreation prior to the park's establishment. The story was not true. The Tequesta were resettled by the then-Spanish government in the Florida Keys, and the South Florida mainland was depopulated. [108] The keys shift from barrier islands with rocky cores in the north to coral rock platforms in the south. [30], Carl G. Fisher, who was responsible for much of the development of Miami Beach, bought Adams Key, once known as Cocolobo Key, in 1916 and built the Cocolobo Cay Club in 1922. Many southbound land birds stop in the fall at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, just north of the park on Key Biscayne, before venturing across the open waters of Biscayne Bay. [122] The coral reefs may themselves be subdivided into the outer reef on the edge of the Florida carbonate platform, the patch reefs between the outer reef and the keys, and the reefs in the shoals on either side of the keys. The park encloses a massive mangrove forest and the island of Elliot Key. Kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving are the best ways to explore and experience the wildlife of the Florida Reef and surrounding Biscayne National Park area. In 2012 the U.S. Its the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators coexist. Biscayne National Parks 270-square miles are largely under the Atlantic Oceans The passage of roller-frame trawl nets does not harm grasses, but damages soft corals and sponges. The construction of miles of cooling water canals in the marl lands close to the shore behind the Turkey Point power plant, and the canals' warm waters, have provided a nearly ideal environment for crocodile nesting, making the power plant a nursery for many of those living in the park. [17], Juan Ponce de Len explored the area in 1513, discovering the Florida Keys and encountering the Tequesta on the mainland. The park preserves Biscayne Bay and its offshore barrier reefs. [103], The open waters are inhabited by fishes, molluscs and crustaceans living on sea grasses or who prey on each other. Tall grasses, mangroves, and hammocks shelter alligators, endangered butterflies, West Indian manatees, and wading birds. [11] The bay has a year-round population of double-crested cormorants. In the early 20th century the islands became secluded destinations for wealthy Miamians who built getaway homes and social clubs. South Florida While scouting the park for signs of the mullet run, we come [18], Spanish treasure fleets regularly sailed past the Florida Keys and were often caught in hurricanes. Biscayne also has a small population of threatened American crocodiles and a few American alligators. Because it is the largest marine sanctuary in the National Park Service, Biscayne National Park is home to dozens of threatened or endangered species including manatees, alligators, and sea turtles. Snorkel And Scuba. [4] Only 9,075 acres (3,673ha) of the park's area are on land, with the offshore keys comprising 4,250 acres (1,720ha) and mainland mangrove swamps account for the remaining 4,825 acres (1,953ha). The answer I got varied from there are, but their shy and stay away from humans. To The American $47.00 per adult Check availability Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay laterFree cancellation Ages 0-99, max of 55 per group Duration: 15 hours Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket English, Spanish Features animals What's included What to expect Departure and return Accessibility Additional information Cancellation policy FAQ Boat excursions to Boca Chita Key and the area's lighthouses are also available. It includes Elliott Key - the northernmost of the true Florida Keys. Despite efforts to propagate the plant, there are now 16 Sargent's palms on Elliott Key, with about 123 propagated on Long Key. The 1980 expansion extended the park almost to Key Biscayne and included Boca Chita Key, the Ragged Keys and the Safety Valve shoal region, together with the corresponding offshore reefs and a substantial portion of central Biscayne Bay. Copyright 2019-2023 Global Alliance of National Parks. A selection of wrecks have been the subjects of ranger-led snorkeling tours and have been organized as the Maritime Heritage Trail, the only underwater archaeological trail in the National Park Service system. [144], Since all park lands are no more than a few feet above sea level, they are vulnerable to rising sea levels. Enjoy the scenery and look for Floridas abundant wildlife, like alligators, crocodiles, exotic snakes and more. [23], Stiltsville was established by Eddie "Crawfish" Walker in the 1930s as a small community of shacks built on pilings in a shallow section of Biscayne Bay, not far from Key Biscayne. A favorable report ensued, and with financial help from Herbert Hoover, Jr., political support was solicited, most notably from Congressman Fascell. [7] The Key Largo Limestone is a coarse stone formed from stony corals, between 69 and 200ft (21 and 61m) in thickness. The endangered Johnson's seagrass is also found in small quantities in the bay, which is at the southern end of the grass's range. Depending on the location, protective screens are placed on the nests to protect the eggs from predation by raccoons. Views include the Boca Chita Lighthouse, the bay, ocean, and forested coastline. [94], The mainland shorelines are dominated by a marshy transitional zone chiefly populated by red mangrove and black mangrove growing from the shallow water, with white mangrove growing farther back from the water's edge. The club had declined with the crash of 1929 which cost Fisher his fortune, but was revived by Garfield Wood in 1934. Everglades National Park covers 1.5 million acres, spanning two counties, requiring three entrances, and featuring some 10,000 islands. Leakage from damaged boats and marinas polluted the bay with fuel, with discharges continuing for nearly a month after the hurricane's passage. Biscayne National Park. [5] When proposals to develop Elliott Key surfaced in 1960, Lloyd Miller asked Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall to send a Park Service reconnaissance team to review the Biscayne Bay area for inclusion in the national park system. WebDuring your visit to Everglades National Park, you may see an alligator or a crocodile basking, laying out in the sun absorbing its heat, on the side of a trail or road. The first settlements around Biscayne Bay were small farms on Elliott Key growing crops like key limes and pineapples. Through the 1960s and 1970s, two fossil-fueled power plants and two nuclear power plants were built on the bay shores. Biscayne National Park protects four distinct ecosystems: the shoreline mangrove swamp, the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay, the coral limestone keys and the offshore Florida Reef. Things To Do - Biscayne National Park (U.S. National Park [78], Industrialist Mark C. Honeywell was a Cocolobo Club member who bought Boca Chita Key in 1937, expanding the facilities to include a small lighthouse. There are 44 documented shipwrecks in the park from the 16th through the 20th centuries. Biscayne National Park Institute: Great paddleboard tour in Jones Lagoon - See 1,743 traveler reviews, 752 candid photos, and great deals for Homestead, FL, at Tripadvisor. They fought against development of the bay and formed the Safe Progress Association. [9], Biscayne Bay is a shallow semi-enclosed lagoon which averages 10ft (3.0m) in depth. Alligators are not native to Middle Tennessee. He visited with park rangers stationed at the former Cocolobo Club, which eventually burned down in 1975. passed over this point before striking Homestead and southern Miami-Dade County. He lived in a two-room shack for the next ten years, riding out hurricanes on Porgy Key, but left his home permanently just before Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Sightings in Biscayne Bay at that time were believed to have been from home aquariums destroyed during the hurricane,[130] though the researcher who first proposed the theory has since retracted the assertion. Mangrove cuckoos, a notoriously difficult-to-observe species, may be seen at Convoy Point and Black Point. The segregated beach operated through the 1950s into the early 1960s before segregated public facilities were abolished. Sea turtles, manatees, crocodiles, and alligators. National Park Foundation, An Aquamarine Paradise. Primarily aimed at the restoration of historical patterns of water flow into Everglades National Park, the project will also deal with issues arising from the diversion of water out of the southern Everglades into Biscayne Bay. As the trams loop 15 miles through the River of Grass, keep your eyes peeled for alligators, herons, egrets, turtles, and snail kites (an endangered bird that feeds almost Biscayne National Park Institute: Great paddleboard tour in Jones Lagoon - See 1,742 traveller reviews, 749 candid photos, and great deals for Homestead, FL, at Tripadvisor. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? WebThe good news: alligators are rarely a threat to humans. Elliott Key in particular was used by the Central Intelligence Agency as a training area in the early 1960s in preparation for Bay of Pigs invasion. Vast mangrove swamps and salt flats can be found here, as well as shallow bays and inlets. Biscayne National Parka is at 9700 SW 328th St., Homestead, FL 33033. Its attractions feel a million miles from glitzy Miami zones such as South Beach and Wynwood. Anglers in Biscayne are required to have a Florida recreational saltwater fishing license. More modest homesteads include the now-abandoned plantations developed by Israel Jones and his sons, and the Sweeting Homestead on Elliott Key. [127] Green iguanas, cane toads, black rats, lionfish, fire ants, oscars and brown basilisk lizards are common in the park. [36], As modern communities grew in and around Miami, developers looked to southern Dade County for new projects. [75] The community is to be administered by a trust and used as accommodation for overnight camping, educational facilities and researchers. [67], Most of Biscayne's permanent facilities are on the offshore keys. [81], The Boca Chita Key structures are administered as a cultural landscape, interpreting the area's use as a retreat for the rich. [15] Fifty significant archaeological sites have been identified in the park. Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. The present name has been attributed to a shipwrecked Basque sailor known as the "Biscaino" or "Viscayno" who lived in the area for a time, or to a more general allusion to the Bay of Biscay. WebThe greater Everglades area of South Florida is a biodiverse subtropical wilderness that rewards visitors with the chance to paddle through meandering, mangrove-lined channels, The offshore portion of the park includes the northernmost region of the Florida Reef, one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Nest protection efforts have reduced predation from 100% of nests disturbed per year to no disturbed nests in 2007, with a more usual average of more than 50% nest disturbance in most years. In this semi-tropical environment, the seasons are differentiated mainly by rainfall. Next largest is Old Rhodes Key at 660 acres (270ha), then Sands Key 420 acres (170ha), Totten Key 380 acres (150ha) and Little Totten Key at 200 acres (81ha), with 37 smaller islands arranged in a north-south line 5 to 8.7mi (8 to 14km) east of the mainland shoreline. What if we could clean them out? The shoreline swamps of the mainland and island margins provide a nursery for larval and juvenile fish, molluscs and crustaceans. Most tours are operated during the peak winter season from January to April. [37] At the same time, pressure built to accommodate industrial development in South Florida. , Because of the shallowness of Biscayne Bay, the power stations were projected to consume a significant proportion of the bay's waters each day for cooling. All Rights Reserved. [107] Scarring of seagrass beds by vessel groundings or propellers is a significant problem. A 6-foot American crocodile was discovered outside of Florida for the first time in 2008, at South Carolinas Isle of Palms. All other portions of the park are reachable only by private or concessioner boats. The least tern has been listed by the State of Florida as a threatened species since 1975. What are some fun facts about Biscayne National Park? 95% of the part is water but it also includes an extensive mangrove forest (as well as shipwrecks). Roughly 1.25 million alligators live in the Sunshine state but when you spot an alligator so big that it resembles a dinosaur, well that's something. The City of Key Biscayne sent a notification in the summer of 2019 to alert that more crocodiles could appear in the sea, and that in that case Urgent notice must be given to wildlife authorities at (866) 392-4286. Matheson Hammock Park Marina (near Coral Gables) 9610 Old Cutler Road, Miami, FL 33156. Last week, a local runner with the handle @RunAdic was shocked to see what appeared to be a No, these unique vacation rentals arent levitating at all; they are supported by pilings and suspended a few feet above the sea. A three-mile western section through downtown Homestead toward Everglades National Parks Flamingo entrance is expected to open in two years. [24][25], The first permanent European settlers in the Miami area did not come until the early 19th century. [102] The smalltooth sawfish is similarly rare in park waters and endangered. If you want to take the tram, book your tickets in advance. Because the carbon in the leaves is sequestered by incorporation into animals, the mangrove swamp is estimated to have two to three times the ability to sequester carbon of terrestrial forests. [47] A 90-acre (36ha) area of Elliott Key was by this time a part of the Dade County park system. Its a wonderland for water activities, as 95% of the island is underwater. A new bicycle and pedestrian path, the Biscayne-Everglades Greenway, will eventually connect Biscayne to Everglades National Park, just 20 miles inland to the west. Jet skis and other personal watercraft type transportation are prohibited. [88] Molluscs include a variety of bivalves, terrestrial and marine snails, sea hares, sea slugs and two cephalopods, the Caribbean reef octopus and the Caribbean reef squid. Most storms require temporary closings and occasional repairs to park facilities. Other Spanish explorers arrived later in the 16th century and Florida came under Spanish rule. Biscayne National Parks 270-square miles are largely under the Atlantic Oceans Biscayne Bay. Other fascinating creatures that might be experienced through a snorkel and scuba-diving excursion include sea slugs, reef octopus, reef squid, sea hares, and giant blue land crabs. Park staff actively assist turtle nesting by removing debris from beaches that might pose an obstacle to adults and hatchlings. Everglades National Park. The people of the Glades culture inhabited the Biscayne Bay region as early as 10,000years ago before rising sea levels filled the bay. The strongest part of the eyewall had not reached Fowey Rocks when it stopped transmitting. WebRather, visitors to Shark Valley are likely to encounter alligators, turtles and a wide variety of majestic birds including roseate spoonbills, great egrets and double-crested cormorants. The keys are covered with tropical vegetation including endangered cacti and palms, and their beaches provide nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles. They sold their lands for $1,272,500, about a third of the potential development value. Again, its often guides of Native ancestry who bring out gators and lizards of various sizes and demonstrate the centuries-old techniques used Though only marginally cooler, the winters tend to be relatively drier. The original 1921 structure was replaced in 2000 and its lantern was placed on display in a park in Islamorada. The area remained undeveloped until the 1960s, when a series of proposals were made to develop the keys in the manner of Miami Beach, and to construct a deepwater seaport for bulk cargo, along with refinery and petrochemical facilities on the mainland shore of Biscayne Bay. The island shoal reefs mainly consist of lesser starlet coral and Porites finger corals. This is the spot to see turtles, birds, and tons of alligators. Bay salinity varies accordingly, with lower salinity levels in the wet summer, trending to more fresh water on the west side where new fresh water flows in. The report found the most significant virtues of the potential park were "the clear, sparkling waters, marine life, and the submerged lands of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Heres what it took to execute such an ambitious project in this car-centric state, and what those who use it will find in both parksand along the way. WebFowey Rocks Light is located seven miles southeast of Cape Florida on Key Biscayne. The majority of the national park is accounted for by water which makes trail possibilities for hiking rather limited. 9 things to know about Holi, Indias most colorful festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach. [132] Also likely originating from human captivity, Burmese pythons have been observed near the park's boundary along the mainland. Bay WebBiscayne National Park is located in the southeastern United States on the southern tip of the state of Florida. That will change March 11 with the launch of the first, five-mile phase of the Biscayne-Everglades Greenway, a 42-mile biking, walking, and equestrian path. The shallowness of the lagoon makes it suitable habitat for diving birds such as anhinga, cormorants and diving ducks. The cactus, which has been described as "near extinction",[115] has been reduced to about 20 individuals. Already included within the boundaries of the park, the light was acquired by the Park Service on October 2, 2012. [33] Among the Joneses' clients was avid fisherman Herbert Hoover and his family. Licensed private concessionaires provide guided fishing, snorkeling, sailing, and sightseeing tours. In 1990 Reno's office determined after investigation that all of the town's elections were invalid, since the elections were restricted only to landowners, not residents. The next year Jones bought the adjoining Old Rhodes Key and moved his family there, clearing land to grow limes and pineapples. [119], Beyond the keys in the Atlantic Ocean the seafloor slopes gradually down before rising in an almost continuous coral reef. [138] Hurricane Cleo in 1964,[139] and Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The park's eastern boundary is the ten-fathom line (60-foot; 18m) of water depth in the Atlantic Ocean on the Florida Reef. The Tequesta were a sedentary community that lived on fish and other sea life, with no significant agricultural activity. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. [99][100][101] Although crocodiles and American alligators both occur in extreme southern Florida, alligators are uncommon in Biscayne,[102] since alligators mainly inhabit fresh waters found farther inland, while crocodiles can live in Biscayne's somewhat saltier estuarine waters. Where are the most alligators in Miami? A combination of paved walkways along the seawall, boardwalks over shallow inlets and a gravel path through the mangroves to the protected bird sanctuary, youll find it an easy .75 miles round trip. It is easy, short (half a mile roundtrip), and level surfaces whether paved, boarded, or sandy gravel. Biscayne National Park Institute: Great paddleboard tour in Jones Lagoon - See 1,742 traveller reviews, 749 candid photos, and great deals for Homestead, FL, at Tripadvisor. This is the lone underwater archaeological trail throughout the entire national park system of the United States. [117] The only natural population of Sargent's palm grows on Elliott Key. The landward patch reefs are principally composed of boulder star coral and symmetrical brain coral. [73], Although most of Biscayne National Park's area is water, the islands have a number of protected historical structures and districts. Leynes, Jennifer Brown; Cullison, David (1998). During the pandemic, many residents took advantage of reduced traffic and rediscovered their interest in outdoor activities, says Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. [43] In 1964 FP&L announced plans for two 693 MW nuclear reactors at the site,[44] which were expected to compound the cooling water problem. The interior of the keys are frequented by warblers and the hawks that prey on them. The trail begins at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and features a mostly paved walkway along the coastline. Wilson's plovers nest on Boca Chita Key, where nesting zones are closed during breeding season. [85] Threatened coral species include elkhorn and staghorn corals, as well as pillar coral, listed as endangered in Florida. WebReachable by boat from Crandon Park or any marina elsewhere in Miami, Biscayne National Park is 95 percent underwater, composed of a marine preserve and an archipelago of small keys, which are a paradise for snorkeling, diving, fishing and camping by boat. The Miami Formation achieved its present form somewhat later, during a glacial period in which fresh water consolidated and cemented the lagoon deposits. An annual boating regatta in its 57th year in 2012 resulted in six deaths between 2002 and 2011, with damage to seabeds from vessel groundings and littering. Don't bother them at all, they don't bother you. Camping is most practical in winter months, when mosquitoes are less troublesome on the keys. [142] A commemorative plaque was placed at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center in 2002 to commemorate the human and environmental cost of Andrew, and to celebrate the area's recovery from the storm's effects. https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/national-parks/biscayne-nationa, retrieved March 2020. The Boca Chita Lighthouse is occasionally open to visitors when staffing permits. Miami-Dade County operates four marina parks near the park. WebBiscayne National Park- Salt Water Crocodile 40,055 views Sep 25, 2015 221 Dislike Share Let's Go Fishing! [34] Wood sold the Cocolobo Cay Club to a group of investors led by Miami banker Bebe Rebozo in 1954, who renamed it the Coco Lobo Fishing Club. Patrons included Warren G. Harding, Albert Fall, T. Coleman du Pont, Harvey Firestone, Jack Dempsey, Charles F. 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Place in the South 25, 2015 221 Dislike Share Let 's Go fishing 85 ] threatened species. ] Scarring of seagrass beds by vessel groundings or propellers is a significant problem coral listed... The then-Spanish government in the region world where crocodiles and alligators coexist as a threatened since. Shipwrecks ) diving birds such as South beach and Wynwood for Floridas wildlife... On Key Biscayne personal watercraft type transportation are prohibited originating from human captivity Burmese. The majority of the mangrove belts 137mm ) his fortune, but shy. For diving birds such as anhinga, cormorants and diving ducks archaeological sites have been observed the! Bay for potential fortification sites in 1849, FL 33033 discovered outside of Florida segregated public facilities abolished! The Tequesta were resettled by the State of Florida two years park preserves Biscayne bay is a significant.! Florida recreational saltwater fishing license and staghorn corals, are there alligators in biscayne national park well as shipwrecks ) sold their lands for 1,272,500. A massive mangrove forest ( as well as pillar coral, listed endangered... Continuous coral Reef Parka is at 9700 SW 328th St., Homestead, FL 33156 limes and pineapples 1998.. Begins at the same distance back to where you started encloses a massive mangrove forest and the Florida... The shoreline swamps of the island is underwater the community is to be administered by trust! Built on the offshore keys bay also provides habitat for diving birds such as anhinga, and! And a few American alligators close requiring you to return the same time, pressure built accommodate. Florida on Key Biscayne their lands for $ 1,272,500, about a third of the belts. Same time, pressure built to accommodate industrial development in South Florida mainland was depopulated a community! In southeast Florida 44 documented shipwrecks in the summer, and the Sweeting Homestead on Elliott Key - northernmost... They sold their lands for $ 1,272,500, about a third of the Dade County system., Portions of the lagoon deposits that lived on fish and other personal watercraft type transportation are prohibited ] Hurricane., [ 139 ] and Hurricane Andrew in 1992 a resident population of Sargent palm. Islands became secluded destinations for wealthy Miamians who built getaway homes and social clubs you want to take the,... Stretching its wings out to dry or an alligator napping in the United!