I used to camp there. I was told that at night if you were in the middle of the darkness in the everglades, and suddenly turned on a flashlight, you would see eyes everywhere looking at you. So I hiked into the swamps from my remote campsite after midnight, from my tent. I could hear the alligators making noise (a very distinctive sound) and decided to run back to my tent.
I've canoed in lake Florida in the everglades. Very interesting experience. The gators are everywhere, and they just sit there looking at you (..please let him flip the canoe and fall in the water, please..).
I drove across Tamiami Trail a couple times. At mid point where the rest stop is, I was surprised to see so many people gearing up for overnight hikes