Motorcycles hit alligator, crash on highway in Orange City, Florida. See video
With alligator mating season well underway, the scaly travelers can be found all over Florida, including the state's many golf courses, swimming pools and more recently, highways.
Two Volusia County bikers and a 6-foot gator were injured Saturday evening after colliding on Interstate 4 in Orange City, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The motorcyclists, a 67-year-old DeLeon Springs man and a 25-year-old Orange City woman, veered off the highway when they struck the alligator due to the impact, FHP stated.
The man's motorcycle reached the wood line, striking a tree. The woman's motorcycle veered off the highway, but did not reach the wood line. They were both transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was called for assistance with the injured gator.
Read full story here: 2 motorcyclists injured when they hit a 6-foot alligator on I-4 in Orange City
Yes! Mating season typically occurs in May or June, with courtship beginning in April, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Nesting happens in late June or early July and hatching ranges from mid-August through early September.
Gatorland: Meet Frank and Harry, 6-month-old alligators from Gatorland
Here are a few easy ways to tell crocodiles and alligators apart, according to Britannica.
Snout shape: Alligators have a broad, U-shaped snout, while crocodiles have narrow, V-shaped snouts.
Teeth: Typically, the lower teeth of an alligator is not visible when the mouth is shut. In crocodiles, some teeth in the bottom jaw are visible, especially the large fourth tooth.
Color: If it's gray or black, it is likely an alligator. If it's olive or tan, it's most likely a crocodile.
Habitat: Alligators prefer freshwater areas, while crocodiles usually can be found in saltwater habitats.
Behavior: Alligators are typically less aggressive than crocodiles.
To report an alligator, call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286 or 866-FWC-GATOR.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: See motorcycles crash on Florida highway after striking alligator
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2 motorcyclists injured when they hit a 6-foot alligator on I-4 in Orange City
This story has been updated with new information and to add a video. Two Volusia County motorcyclists and a 6-foot alligator were injured Saturday when the motorcycles struck the gator on Interstate 4 in Orange City, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately 6:08 p.m. in the westbound lanes of I-4 in the area of mile marker 110 in Orange City, according to FHP. FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi wrote in an email that while she imagined there have been other accidents involving gators statewide, she was unaware of any others recently in Central Florida. A 67-year-old DeLeon Springs man and a 25-year-old Orange City woman were traveling westbound in the inside lane, which is the closest lane to the median, when they struck the alligator, FHP stated. The impact caused both motorcycles to veer to the left off the highway. The man's motorcycle entered the wood line and struck a tree. The woman's motorcycle left the roadway but did not go as far as the wood line. The man was riding a 2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000R and the woman was riding a 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 650. Both riders were transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was called to help with the injured gator. FWC spokesman Chad Weber said the gator was about 6 feet long. He said the FWC called a trapper to remove the gator and the trapper would decide what to do with the gator, including whether to euthanize it. Weber said it's not unusual for an alligator to seek the warmth of a road since the pavement retains heat from the day's sunlight. He said he lives in Lake County and he occasionally sees gators on roads. He said for more information about alligators, people could check the commission's website at The crash remains under investigation. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 2 bikers hit gator on I-4 in Orange City, all 3 injured
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Motorcycles hit alligator, crash on highway in Orange City, Florida. See video
With alligator mating season well underway, the scaly travelers can be found all over Florida, including the state's many golf courses, swimming pools and more recently, highways. Two Volusia County bikers and a 6-foot gator were injured Saturday evening after colliding on Interstate 4 in Orange City, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The motorcyclists, a 67-year-old DeLeon Springs man and a 25-year-old Orange City woman, veered off the highway when they struck the alligator due to the impact, FHP stated. The man's motorcycle reached the wood line, striking a tree. The woman's motorcycle veered off the highway, but did not reach the wood line. They were both transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was called for assistance with the injured gator. Read full story here: 2 motorcyclists injured when they hit a 6-foot alligator on I-4 in Orange City Yes! Mating season typically occurs in May or June, with courtship beginning in April, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Nesting happens in late June or early July and hatching ranges from mid-August through early September. Gatorland: Meet Frank and Harry, 6-month-old alligators from Gatorland Here are a few easy ways to tell crocodiles and alligators apart, according to Britannica. Snout shape: Alligators have a broad, U-shaped snout, while crocodiles have narrow, V-shaped snouts. Teeth: Typically, the lower teeth of an alligator is not visible when the mouth is shut. In crocodiles, some teeth in the bottom jaw are visible, especially the large fourth tooth. Color: If it's gray or black, it is likely an alligator. If it's olive or tan, it's most likely a crocodile. Habitat: Alligators prefer freshwater areas, while crocodiles usually can be found in saltwater habitats. Behavior: Alligators are typically less aggressive than crocodiles. To report an alligator, call FWC's toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286 or 866-FWC-GATOR. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: See motorcycles crash on Florida highway after striking alligator
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