Those unfamiliar with America’s southern state of Florida might wonder who “Florida Man” is if they have seen this term in headlines or on social media.

Is he a superhero like Batman?

Is he a wives’ tale we tell our children to encourage them to behave?

“Florida Man” is not one individual. This term has been used to refer to individuals from Florida who partake in outrageous crimes or get themselves stuck in humorous situations. The newspaper articles often sound like, “Barefoot Florida man wrestles giant alligator” or “Florida woman arrested for aggravated battery with a Pringles can”. These are real titles from this year.

Florida extends between the Gulf of America and the Atlantic Ocean and is home to widely varying cultures across the state. Florida’s adventurous wildlife and volatile weather patterns sometimes contribute to chaos. Florida sees an average of 1.2 million lightning strikes annually and is crowned with the nickname “lightning capital of the United States”. More storms, including hurricanes or tropical storms, hit Florida than any other state, so the residents have become accustomed to emergencies. Everglades National Park is the only place in the world where Alligators coexist with their reptile cousin, the Crocodile. Additionally, Florida has many invasive species due to numerous ports of entry and an abundant live animal trade.

However, 142.9 million visitors still decided to travel to Florida on vacation in 2024. Highly rated stops include Orlando, Key West, and Destin, all known for their pristine white sand beaches. Bring your sunscreen and keep your camera ready!