I am sure that from my previous articles you know that Siesta Beach is a beach with soft white quartz sand and calm waves, located on the barrier island of Siesta Key in the southwest of the sunny state of Florida in the USA, near the city of Sarasota.
In recent years, it has been officially recognized as the best beach of the year in the United States several times.
Unlike many other beaches in Florida, this public beach has a completely democratic environment, free parking, modern locker rooms, and even a special shuttle for vacationers, making it great for a self-guided vacation.
It would seem that the Siesta Key coast is an excellent piece of paradise where you can relax, enjoy the beauty of wildlife and forget about daily worries.
Is it really so?
What about the sharks there?
Is that just a Myth?
or do they really live there?
So, what dangers lie in wait for gullible or inexperienced tourists on the beaches of sunny Florida?
Let me clarify that for you…
Are There Sharks on Siesta Key?
Yes,there are sharks on Siesta Key.
I would say even more: there are sharks everywhere in Florida.
The area of Siesta Key is home to several distinct species of sharks.
Although they keep far from the coast and make an effort to avoid humans, these sharks rarely come into contact with people.
The east coast of Florida is one of the most visited and popular beaches in the world, and the more people in shark territory, the more attacks.
Once in 2020, someone swam in southwest Florida, on Siesta Key in Sarasota County, and was bitten by an unknown marine species.
It was not a fatal attack.
The man was taken to the hospital.
The staff of the medical facility confirmed that the patient was injured as a result of a shark bite.
They did not specify either the patient’s condition or the severity of the injury, citing the fact that they do not have the right to disclose personal data.
What Types of Sharks are There in Siesta Key?
Well, there are bullhead sharks,tiger sharks, lemon sharks, and blacknose sharks in Siesta Key.
They rarely hunt; rather, it is a reaction to the movements of numerous swimmers.
On Siesta Key, lemon sharks are the most prevalent species of shark.
Blacknose sharks are another fascinating kind of shark that can be spotted around Siesta Key.
The blacktip shark is predatory but rather timid.
Usually, it does not pose a danger to humans.
But in some cases, sharks become aggressive and may attack.
Sometimes an attacking shark jumps out of the water.
According to the report, no deaths have been reported for the following five shark species: reef sharks, baleen sharks, gray sharks, etc.
Is It Safe to Swim on Siesta Key?
Swimming in Siesta Key is generally safe, but there have definitely been people attacked and killed by alligators or sharks in Siesta Key.
Small children should not swim alone or be left unsupervised on the shores of a large Florida lake.
Never swim in a Florida lake at night, and never clean fish on the shore.
Siesta Key Shark Attack Stats
As you already understood, Sarasota County includes Siesta Key, and only a few(seven documented unprovoked shark attacks) have been reported in Sarasota County since 1882, according to the International Shark Attack Files (ISAF).
Shark attacks are incredibly uncommon on Siesta Key.
I was told years ago that sharks feed in the early morning hours and at dusk.
That is when the majority of attacks happen, as well as surfing, but I don’t think there will be much surfing going on at Siesta Key.
Are There Alligators on Siesta Key?
No, but there are crocodiles on Siesta Key.
Most Sarasota residents share their living space with a very large reptile, the American alligator, a species that has lived on Earth for about 35 million years.
This animal can go to the backyard of a private house, walk in the park, or relax on the shore of a reservoir.
In other words, they appear where there is fresh water.
Let’s clarify right away that an alligator is not a crocodile or a caiman.
All these are different animals.
The first prefers to live in fresh water throughout all of Florida, Sarasota included, while the other two species live in salty water and can be easily found on Siesta Key.
In addition, endangered crocodiles are much less numerous and generally more secretive than alligators.
Alligators become more active with warmer weather, and their mating season lasts from April to the end of June.
They will also tan by warming their body temperature.
Alligators will not chase you for long distances on land, and they won’t attack you at all.
Alligators prefer light food.
They are patient hunters and will chase their prey through the water for hours before attacking.
These reptiles mainly hunt at dusk or at night.
They lie motionless, waiting for prey.
Although they can run short distances at a speed of 7-9 miles per hour.
The victim is determined, first of all, by size.
The diet is very diverse: fish, frogs, birds, turtles, insects, snakes, small mammals, other alligators, deer, wild pigs, and sometimes domestic animals.
Catching prey is usually swallowed whole.
Every year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (USFWS) receives about 15,000 alligator complaints from local residents.
And sadly, more than 50% of curious animals are killed.
Only small individuals are caught and transported to remote wild places.
Very often, people themselves are to blame for the “visit” of the alligator.
USFWS specialists constantly warn tourists and the local population that it is impossible to feed reptiles, both from a safety point of view and according to state law.
