April 2, 2026

I am a very small baby Alligator

That flower above my head is maybe 4 inches across

I'm vulnerable to predators like racoons and birds

My mom should be watching me, but she is not!

Location:  Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/facts/

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

April 1, 2026

I am an American Alligator

Birds are not always something I eat

My diet tends to consist

Of lots of fish,

But if a bird is slow and within my reach...

(After much discussion of color, size, etc, David and I determined that this was a Great Blue Heron in this Alligator's mouth. But not necessarily the mate from the previous post.) 

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/facts

https://myfwc.com/media/1743/alligator-rice-a.pdf

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

January 3, 2025

I am American Alligator

I've been a protected species for quite a while

There are lots of alligators

We're not really endangered -

But people confuse us with endangered crocodiles.

Location: Lake Woodruff WMA

Sources: https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/9-amazing-things-you-didn-t-know-about-alligators

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

April 18, 2024

I'm an American Alligator

I'm common throughout the south east

I've been seen in New Jersey

Heaven have mercy!

I didn't stay long, I'm a warm weather beast.

Location: Orlando Wetlands

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Alligator_mississippiensis/

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

January 28, 2024

I am a baby American Alligator

You best stay in my good graces

My mom is around, and wearing a frown,

The dentist told her I'm gonna need braces.

Location: St. Marks Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-alligator

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson
If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

June 13, 2022

I am an American Alligator

You usually find me in the south eastern united states

But occasionally I've also been seen in 

Thirty other states rivers and lakes.*

*All other sightings are attributed to pet releases or captive escapes.

Location: Forever Florida, Kenansville

Sources: https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=221

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 23, 2021

I am an American Alligator

Swimming where Manatees gather

But the Manatees have nothing to worry about

I prefer meals with a much smaller stature.

(In the link below, click on the "Mortality, Rescue and Rehabilitation" link to learn about Manatees natural predators. Be sure to click the link to the video, it's very cool and shows Alligators and Manatees hanging out together.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere, Manatee overlook

Sources: https://www.savethemanatee.org/manatees/manatee-faq/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 8, 2020

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee

We are baby American Alligators
At this age we still look cute
But don't get too close, or you might get a dose
Of angry mom gator in hot pursuit!

Sources: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Reptile Discovery Center - American Alligator

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 2, 2019

Location: Windy Point Boat Ramp Park, Lake Placid

I am an American Alligator,
On the top of my head are my ears.
They're behind a skin flap, so they don't get wet,
The better to hear you with, my dears!

(Note: The link below is highly technical but interesting reading. Another interesting thing - you can see me taking the picture in the reflection of his eye!)

Sources: Journal of Experimental Biology - Biophysics of directional hearing in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 7, 2019

Location: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

I am an American Alligator
I have around 80 teeth at a time
When one wears out, a new one grows
I can go through 2000 teeth in my life.

Sources: The Creature Feature: 10 Fun Facts About the American Alligator

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 20, 2019

Location: Viera, Viera Wetlands

We are about a dozen baby Alligators
Well disguised by our baby stripes
You have to look really hard to see us
Don't take a swim or you'll be very surprised!

Sources: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute - American Alligator

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 6, 2019

Location: Viera Wetlands

I am a Tricolored Heron with an Alligator,
We're living side by side in peace.
I'm unafraid, at least for now,
Until the Alligator decides he's hungry!

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 13, 2018

Location: Mt Dora, Lake Apopka North Shore Restoration Area

I am an American Alligator
My nostrils face upwards on my snout.
This means I can swim while I'm mostly submerged
Thus hiding my disquieting pout.

Sources: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - American Alligator

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 10, 2018

Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

I'm an albino Alligator,
I lack the pigment melanin.
I would not survive in the wild,
Predators would find me cause I don't blend in.

Sources: Safari LTD - Albino/White Alligator

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 28, 2018

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

I am a young American Alligator,
My age is around two or three.
You can estimate my age because I still have stripes on my tail,
But I'm no longer protected by my mommy.

Sources: Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute - American Alligator

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 12, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Wildlife Management Area

I'm an American Alligator,
Here is a handy tip:
You don't need to be able to run faster than me,
Just faster than the person you're with!

(Check out my other blog to see the reject pictures from today!)

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson