ABOVE: There are 16 species of turtle in Everglades National Park. ABOVE, RIGHT: Tri-colored heron fishes for lunch.
old biological heritage with no interest in sampling the taste of human flesh! The scene feels surreal, nurturing a new appreciation for these swampland giants when observing them up close and personal. While this experience merits major bragging rights, boundaries shall not be overstepped. Onlookers must keep a distance from the reptiles and under no circumstance attempt to pet the wildlife. This is nature, not Disney; and alligators are still indeed apex predators! Since 1948, there have been a total of TRAVELWORLD MAGAZINE / 10.3 SUMMER
463 alligator attacks in Florida (156 of which were provoked!) and 22 fatalities. None of these incidents occurred at Shark Valley, where humans and alligators interact daily in very close proximity. Attacks have risen in recent years as humans encroach on previously virgin wetlands, and ignorant individuals feed and habituate feral alligators (note that this is illegal). Still, you actually have a better chance of winning the lottery than being attacked by an alligator. With rental bikes plentiful at the Shark Valley Visitor Center, visitors have the alternative of experiencing Shark Valley on retro bicycles, by foot, or taking a tram (you need only re-
member to bring cash, water, snacks, sunscreen, and environmentallyfriendly mosquito repellent). A 65-foot observation tower is situated halfway along the main path, with rare and precious aerial views of the Everglades. The water collection pool near the tower teems with gators, turtles, and birds year-round. True thrill seekers should visit between February and March, when rangers lead exhilarating night trips on the path to observe nocturnal world of the Everglades. In addition to Shark Valley, Everglades National Park offers three other access points open 365 days a year. The most frequented, the Ernest Coe Visitor Center in Homestead, is an