In Florida, the idea of alligators lurking in sewers is not just an urban legend—it’s a reality. A recent study led by researchers from the University of Florida has revealed that alligators, along with dozens of other species, are using stormwater sewers as unexpected highways through urban environments.
The research, published in Urban Naturalist, sheds light on a hidden ecosystem beneath the streets, where wildlife is adapting to human-made structures in surprising ways.
A Hidden Highway For Florida’s Wildlife
For years, New York City has been the focus of urban legends about blind, albino alligators living in its underground tunnels. The myth is so ingrained in the city’s culture that some residents celebrate Alligator in the Sewer Day every February. But no proof has ever been found in New York, real-life alligators are frequently discovered in Florida’s underground drainage systems.
In January, a 10.5-foot-long alligator was rescued after becoming trapped in a storm drain in Cape Coral. But not all alligators end up in the sewers by accident. The new study reveals that these reptiles, along with nearly three dozen other species, actively use stormwater systems to navigate urban environments.
“It’s like something out of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” said Alan Ivory, a doctoral student at the University of Florida who led the research. “The abundance of animals down there was surprising.”
The Need For Wildlife-friendly Infrastructure
While rats have been extensively studied in sewer systems, little is known about other animals that might use these spaces. Ivory and his team suspected that Florida’s stormwater drains, designed to prevent flooding, could also serve as corridors for urban wildlife.
To test this theory, the researchers deployed motion-activated cameras inside storm drains across Gainesville, Florida. Using magnetic mounts, they attached 39 cameras under manhole covers and monitored the tunnels for 60 days.
Their setup faced some unexpected challenges. Several cameras were swept away by floodwaters, while others fell victim to raccoons. “We would have raccoons steal cameras every now and then,” Ivory explained. “They would climb up the ladders and tear them off the manholes.”
Despite these hurdles, the team gathered nearly 3,800 sightings of 35 different species, revealing a surprisingly diverse community thriving underground.
Who Lives In Florida’s Storm Drains?
The most common underground residents were mammals, with raccoons making up over 1,800 recorded sightings. The second most frequently spotted species were southeastern myotis bats, which appeared nearly 700 times, often using the tunnels as roosting sites. Other unexpected findings included:
- Tree frogs and armadillos navigating the tunnels
- 12 species of birds, including Carolina wrens, some seen carrying nesting materials
- Whitetail deer and a bobcat near tunnel entrances, though they rarely ventured inside
Perhaps the most striking discovery was the 50 recorded alligator sightings. Most seemed to be traveling between ponds, using the tunnels as passageways. However, researchers observed some actively hunting in the confined spaces. “It’s almost as if they were cornering the fish into this dead end, using the human infrastructure to help them forage,” Ivory noted.
