The Florida Gator - Dorothy Edwards Visual Journalist

The American alligator is in Florida’s DNA. From recreation to industry, these oversized reptiles are an integral part of the state. Floridians raise, hunt, eat and wear them. Tourists from around the globe venture into the Everglades to get a look at them. Gators aren’t just an animal down here, they’re a livelihood.

Mark Markisen of Isle of Capri prepares the boat before going out on a hunt for alligators on Lake Trafford in Immokalee on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

Jim Rinckey of Naples reels in an alligator after shooting it with a crossbow in Lake Trafford on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

An alligator is detained and killed in Lake Trafford on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

Jim Rinckey of Naples, right, and Mark Markisen of Isle of Capri reel in an alligator in Lake Trafford on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

Jim Rinckey of Naples is lit from behind by a spotlight while hunting for alligators in Lake Trafford on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

Chris Wood of Hollywood, Fla. shares a laugh with coworkers while working at Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing in LaBelle on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. Townsend and Sons does the processing for All American Gator Products, which is owned by Wood's father, Brian.

Daniel Townsend holds a freshly hatched alligator at at Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing in LaBelle on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. Townsend's father, Kelvin, the owner, does the processing for All American Gator Products, which is owned by Brian Wood.

Matt McDonald of Plantation, Fla. loads alligator heads into a cooler at Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing in LaBelle on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Chris Hughes of Fort Lauderdale drags a dead alligator inside to be skinned at Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing in LaBelle on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016.

From left, Greg Thigpen of LaBelle, Chris Hughes of Fort Lauderdale, Matt McDonald of Plantation, and Irvin Lane of Belle Glade skin alligators at Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing in LaBelle on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Dusk at Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing in LaBelle on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016.

Chris Hughes of Fort Lauderdale, left, and Matt McDonald of Plantation take a break from processing alligators at Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing in LaBelle on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Kelvin Townsend wears his custom alligator skin boots in his home on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016. Townsend owns Townsend and Sons Gator Farm and Processing which does the processing for All American Gator Products, which is owned by Brian Wood.

All American Gator Products owner Brian Wood of Hollywood works with alligator skin leather in Hollywood, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016.

Baby alligators swim in a display tank at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

People take photos of an alligator in the water while on an airboat ride captained by Carl Nicholson at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Nicholson manages Wooten's.

Gator handler Jimmy Owen, of Ochopee performs during an alligator show at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Katrine Thogersen, 12, of Jutland, Denmark takes a photo of alligators over a fence at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Alligators wait to be fed at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Kids play around the front sign at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.