[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I've been here for almost eleven years. I also lived in Florida for five years back in the eighties. I've never seen an alligator outside of a pond or lying on the edge of a pond. I've heard three stories where one was spotted walking down a street or in someone's back yard. I saw one story where one was on someone's front porch at night.

Alligators are not aggressive unless they are threatened. They eat about once every one to three weeks. They spend most of their lives at the bottom of ponds, lakes and rivers. Generally if you approach and alligator, they will jump into the water.

I've heard of two or three instances in the Villages where one attacked a small dog. Usually it was when the dog owner was walking their pet along the edge of a pond.

Also in the sixteen years that I've lived in Florida, I've seen a few venomous snakes. Mostly water moccasins in a pond on a golf course where I used to work. I occasionally see black racer snakes which are harmless and run away when approached.

In general, alligators and snakes are not a problem. You should be aware of where they are when close to ponds.

We also have pygmy rattle snakes down here. I've never seen one but I make sure that I have a club with me when going into native areas on a golf course.