OVIEDO, Fla. — Few lakes in Seminole County can top the amount of the alligators living in Lake Jesup.

Wildlife officials have estimated that there are over 12,000 alligators in Lake Jesup. 

“Lake Jesup has the highest population of alligators, per acre in Florida,” said Black Hammock airboat captain Tim Harrold.

Lake Jesup is part of the St. Johns River waterway.

Many people are surprised to discover that the lake’s water depth is six feet or less. So, what explains the large number of alligators in this shallow body of water?

"Back in the 60’s and 70’s, alligators were on the endangered species list, so you could not hunt or kill them. They had to relocate all the alligators, and this is where they brought them,” Harrold said.

Jesup became a dumping ground for unwanted reptiles, as Central Florida was developed, according to the guide.

People come from around the world to see gators by airboat and the other wildlife that lives in and around the lake.

The airboat tour includes both slow and high-speed adventure while cruising sections of the 13-mile long and 16,000 acres of open water and flood plains. 

One stop on the 30-minute airboat adventure will be bird island located in Lake Jesup.

Bird Island, a 30-acre piece of land, is home to numerous wading birds including egrets and herons, along as a nesting site for bald eagles.

“There is over 90 species of birds that nest on this island. Come here in the spring time and it is just thousands and thousands of birds,” said Harrold.

Black Hammock Airboat Tours just celebrated 25 years of taking visitors to see the alligator infested waters.

“In the wintertime, if you come out on an airboat ride, you will see a lot. You will believe there’s 12,000 alligators out here,” said Harrold.

The guide said that most of the gators in the summer are laying on the bottom of the lake or are in marshes.

The cost to do an airboat ride at Black Hammock is $38 plus tax for adults and $32 dollars plus tax for children.

Reservations can be made online at Black Hammock.