Ding-Dong... Alligator calling!

[CFrance]

If you go to the online newspaper, you will see a video of an alligator walking around someone's sidewalk in Pennecamp. Yikes!

[Bogie Shooter]

Gator will not be around for long.................the trapper has been called.
I wonder why? Just because the gator wandered thru a yard? Now it will become a purse!

[Tom Hannon]

Last week in Buttonwood these was a. Loose gator on Triggerfish. He managed to get to the RedFish pond before trappers came to take him away
I wonder if this is the same one.

[CFrance]

Last week in Buttonwood these was a. Loose gator on Triggerfish. He managed to get to the RedFish pond before trappers came to take him away
I wonder if this is the same one.
Whoever he is, I hope he gets away.:pray:

[Tom Hannon]

Whoever he is, I hope he gets away.:pray:

I agree. He hasn't attacked anyone. Its mating season. Just looking for a piece of ... Isn't it amazing how far a male will walk and the danger they will risk to get some action.

[Barefoot]

I agree. He hasn't attacked anyone. Its mating season. Just looking for a piece of ... Isn't it amazing how far a male will walk and the danger they will risk to get some action.

I think it was a female.
She had a smile on her face.
Perhaps she recently mated and was looking for a cigarette.

[CFrance]

Again... there's so many places one could go with this! I started a few of them, but decency prevailed.:angel:

[maryanna630]

Geez, I don't understand. These creatures are native to the area; they haven't harmed any humans; why is the first response to kill them?

[DougB]

Geez, I don't understand. These creatures are native to the area; they haven't harmed any humans; why is the first response to kill them?

Rats and poisonous snakes were here first also. You want them strolling around your neighborhood?

[Bogie Shooter]

Be Prepared.

[gerryann]

Rats and poisonous snakes were here first also. You want them strolling around your neighborhood?

If they aren't hurting anyone......just leave em alone and they'll leave you alone.

[firewalkerb3]

Not sure where people get their information from about gators. Biggest myth of all is all gators are destroyed after being captured…WRONG. A large number of gators captured by the trapper are relocated not killed.

[TheVillageChicken]

Not sure where people get their information from about gators. Biggest myth of all is all gators are destroyed after being captured…WRONG. A large number of gators captured by the trapper are relocated not killed.

I suppose it's because the "myth" is perpetuated by FWC who state on their website that no alligators are relocated.

Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/nuisance/)



Question:


What happens to nuisance alligators when they are removed by trappers?

Answer:


When a nuisance alligator trapper removes an alligator, it becomes the property of the trapper. In most cases, the alligator is killed and processed for its hide and meat. Occasionally, a nuisance alligator is sold alive to an alligator farm, animal exhibit or zoo.

Nuisance alligator trappers work under contract with the FWC. They are not state employees. The sale of the alligator hide and meat is their primary compensation. This system results in tremendous savings to Florida's taxpayers.


Question:


Why does the FWC not relocate nuisance alligators in Florida?

Answer:


Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population. We have about 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Alligators live in all 67 counties, and they inhabit all wild areas of Florida that can support them. The removal of nuisance alligators does not have a significant impact on our state's alligator population.

Relocated alligators often try to return to their capture site. They can create problems for people or other alligators along the way. If an alligator successfully returns, capturing it again would be necessary and likely more difficult the second time.

To avoid creating a problem at the release site, nuisance alligators would need to be relocated to remote areas where they would not encounter people. These remote areas already have healthy alligator populations, and the ones that already live there have established social structures. The introduction of a new alligator to these areas would likely cause fighting, possibly resulting in the death of a resident alligator or the introduced alligator.

[skyguy79]

What was the alligator doing? Going around door to door selling Avon? Didn't it know that there's a no solicitation rule in TV? What nerve! Something should definitely be done about this, or before you know it, other alligators will think they can also go around selling things like purses, shoes or whatever, and soon things will be completely out of control! :cus:

[Villageshooter]

these gators need to get it in there heads ,,,,,, WE ARE HERE NOW! AND WE ARE IN CHARGE LIKE IT OR NOT! if they are so tuff let them charge the square some nite an try to take back this place! we will not give up with out a fight! there is a new sheriff in town (and it is us! ) get used to it!

[al & jane]

The gator activity reminds me of the old country song, "Lookin for love in all the wrong places".

[mulligan]

Geez, I don't understand. These creatures are native to the area; they haven't harmed any humans; why is the first response to kill them?

What would you do ?

[maryanna630]

I would leave it alone. It will find its way back to its habitat. I don't think it wants to be moving into Pennecamp.

[CFrance]

I would leave it alone. It will find its way back to its habitat. I don't think it wants to be moving into Pennecamp.
Ditto

[TheVillageChicken]

I would leave it alone. It will find its way back to its habitat. I don't think it wants to be moving into Pennecamp.

I believe it is looking for a quiet place to swim. It had tried Tierra del Sol pool, but some ladies who were water walking gave it the stink eye. It felt uncomfortable and left.

[CFrance]

I believe it is looking for a quiet place to swim. It had tried Tierra del Sol pool, but some ladies who were water walking gave it the stink eye. It felt uncomfortable and left.
Good one.:evil6:

[HMLRHT1]

So all of you dog walkers happen to be minding your own business with Fido and there is a gator who happened to be seen but they decided it would just return to its normal area and wasn't bothering anyone, jumps out and grabs your pooch. Oh my, :22yikes:

[CFrance]

When's the last time that happened, other than the time the dog was unleashed and wandered down to the pond?

[Barefoot]

So all of you dog walkers happen to be minding your own business with Fido and there is a gator who happened to be seen but they decided it would just return to its normal area and wasn't bothering anyone, jumps out and grabs your pooch. Oh my, :22yikes:

I've never heard of dogs being attacked by gators unless the dogs were close to a pond or lake.
Does it actually happen on city streets?

[buggyone]

I've never heard of dogs being attacked by gators unless the dogs were close to a pond or lake.
Does it actually happen on city streets?

No, it does not.

Your dogs have a much greater possibility of putting a Cane Toad in their mouth and dying a horrible death from their poison.

I would also be vigilant about grandkids and Cane Toad interaction.

Don't worry about the alligators.

[justjim]

Geez, I don't understand. These creatures are native to the area; they haven't harmed any humans; why is the first response to kill them?

If you review Threads regarding Alligators, you will find they are very dangerous creatures to deal with. There is now a hunting season for gators because there are too many. They are not pets!

[perrjojo]

I believe it is looking for a quiet place to swim. It had tried Tierra del Sol pool, but some ladies who were water walking gave it the stink eye. It felt uncomfortable and left.


OMG...you are so correct...leave them alone and they will choose to go back to their own peaceful habitat.

[Steph]

No, it does not.

Your dogs have a much greater possibility of putting a Cane Toad in their mouth and dying a horrible death from their poison.

I would also be vigilant about grandkids and Cane Toad interaction.

Don't worry about the alligators.


I'm not worried about the alligators but what is a cane toad? Can you describe what they look like and where they might be lurking.

[Steph]

No, it does not.

Your dogs have a much greater possibility of putting a Cane Toad in their mouth and dying a horrible death from their poison.

I would also be vigilant about grandkids and Cane Toad interaction.

Don't worry about the alligators.

Not worried about alligators but what is a Cane Toad and where do they hang out? And look like?

Thanks,

[pivo]

I tthink they came from hatie belles

[CFrance]

Steph, I imagine you can google them to get an image, but my advice is if you are walking your dog and see a toad (they are even in the middle of the street in the evening), just steer your dog clear.

I used to walk our dog after dark due to the heat, and he would see the toad in the road first and go into check-it-out mode, which was my clue to shorten the leash.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by TheVillageChicken
I believe it is looking for a quiet place to swim. It had tried Tierra del Sol pool, but some ladies who were water walking gave it the stink eye. It felt uncomfortable and left.


Originally Posted by perrjojo
OMG...you are so correct...leave them alone and they will choose to go back to their own peaceful habitat.

Who will go back, the gators or the women?

:a040:

[Shimpy]

I'm not worried about the alligators but what is a cane toad? Can you describe what they look like and where they might be lurking.

Check this out......Bufo marinus - Giant Toad, Cane Toad, Marine Toad (http://www.floridagardener.com/critters/BufoMarinus.htm)

We had them by the hundreds in S. Florida. My brother's Doberman got ahold of one and nearly died. A small dog would have.
I used to leave my house in the morning before daylight heading to work and try to see how many I could run over in my neighborhood.

[mulligan]

I would leave it alone. It will find its way back to its habitat. I don't think it wants to be moving into Pennecamp.

Not the reply I expected, but the right thing to do IMHO.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

OMG...you are so correct...leave them alone and they will choose to go back to their own peaceful habitat.

Peaceful habitat? Isn't it funny how we look out over a swamp and think about how peaceful it is. It may look that way from afar. It may be for us who are in no danger, but wild habitats are anything but peaceful. Animals die every day from being eaten alive by other animals. Nature is anything but peaceful and safe. It is violent and dangerous. Most animals are constantly on the lookout for other animals that want them for lunch.
Alligators are close to the top of the food chain around here except that large birds and snakes eat the babies. Think that's so peaceful? You're a mommy alligator looking after your brood and suddenly a large egret sweeps down and peacefully snatches up one of your young'uns. The sweet baby alligator is then bitten and chewed for several minutes until it's dead.
Then again, alligators do this to all sorts of other animals all the time. And if you're not careful and allow them to remain in places where people live they will do it to you dog, cat or even a small child. This happens several times a year in the state of Florida and I would guess that it happens anywhere that people live near alligators.
As the article by FSW states, if a gator is relocated it will probably either be killed or kill another gator. Isn't it much more humane to put a bullet in their brain and end their life without pain?
The only other alternative that I can think of would be not live in close proximity of alligators. If you believe that is the way to go then you'd be in favor of destroying the entire Villages and every other development in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and many in Georgia and the Carolinas.
The fact is that if we humans are going to live anywhere, we are going to disrupt the habitats of animals. There is no living in peace and harmony with nature. Like I said, nature is cruel and violent. It is kill or be killed.

[Carl in Tampa]

If they aren't hurting anyone......just leave em alone and they'll leave you alone.

If there is no control there is a great likelihood that the area will become overrun with alligators.

Can the "leave them alone" supporters come up with a number of gators-per-yard beyond which we can all agree that some gators must be removed?

What might that number be?

.

[PaPaLarry]

There's nothing like "The ultimate of surprise". Especially when you walk out at night!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If there is no control there is a great likelihood that the area will become overrun with alligators.

Can the "leave them alone" supporters come up with a number of gators-per-yard beyond which we can all agree that some gators must be removed?

What might that number be?

.

And if we leave them alone, are we guaranteed that they will leave us alone? Alligators are instinctive creatures. They don't so much think as they simple act on urged. Their miniscule brain basically just keeps their bodily functions going they have no sense of right or wrong or pain or pleasure. They just kill and eat things without knowing why.
In all they are not much different than an insect. They are certainly less intelligent and sentient than a fish.

[CFrance]

Who will go back, the gators or the women?

:a040:
:a20::a20: Hopefully all of them!

[tudacee]

Ditto


Wonder if you'd feel the same if it was in your neighborhood? I walk my little Napoleon on triggerfish and frankly, I'm glad they got rid of it. And what if my little granddaughter was with me? Wild life is fine, but not on my street thank you very much.

[Carl in Tampa]

And if we leave them alone, are we guaranteed that they will leave us alone? Alligators are instinctive creatures. They don't so much think as they simple act on urged. Their miniscule brain basically just keeps their bodily functions going they have no sense of right or wrong or pain or pleasure. They just kill and eat things without knowing why.
In all they are not much different than an insect. They are certainly less intelligent and sentient than a fish.

They are very much like sharks as described by Hooper in Jaws: "What we are dealing with here is a perfect engine, an eating machine. It's really a miracle of evolution. All this machine does is swim and eat and make little sharks, and that's all."

:shocked:


.

[CFrance]

They are very much like sharks as described by Hooper in Jaws: "What we are dealing with here is a perfect engine, an eating machine. It's really a miracle of evolution. All this machine does is swim and eat and make little sharks, and that's all."

:shocked:


.
Okay, but we don't go around hunting down and killing every shark that shows up in waters where we swim. it's definitely their "surf," so to speak.

I vote for leaving the alligators alone when they wander unless they are directly menacing the residents. It can't hurt to wait a few hours to see if it leaves the area.

[Carl in Tampa]

Okay, but we don't go around hunting down and killing every shark that shows up in waters where we swim. it's definitely their "surf," so to speak.

I vote for leaving the alligators alone when they wander unless they are directly menacing the residents. It can't hurt to wait a few hours to see if it leaves the area.

You fail to acknowledge what we DO when there are sharks in the water. --- WE GET OUT. That's not an acceptable option where we live. We are a geographically large area. Just because a gator moves out of your sight that doesn't mean he's "left the area."

If it weren't for the trappers work, how many hundreds of gators might be in The Villages right now?

I'll pose my question again: How many gators per block would we have to be infested with to reach a number to get you to agree to start removing them?

—------------

I like your play on words, using surf where we would ordinarily say turf.

:clap2:



.

[CFrance]

You fail to acknowledge what we DO when there are sharks in the water. --- WE GET OUT. That's not an acceptable option where we live. We are a geographically large area. Just because a gator moves out of your sight that doesn't mean he's "left the area."

If it weren't for the trappers work, how many hundreds of gators might be in The Villages right now?

I'll pose my question again: How many gators per block would we have to be infested with to reach a number to get you to agree to start removing them?

—------------

I like your play on words, using surf where we would ordinarily say turf.

:clap2:



.

Carl, I give up! We'll have to agree to disagree. I can't answer the question as to how many gators would be here without trappers. I think that since there is now a hunting season on gators, the cull might keep the numbers down. My heart says that there aren't enough of them wandering around menacing neighbors in TV to immediately call someone to have one in my yard be removed without first waiting overnight to see if it moved. I'm sure the next person down the line would make the call, and that makes me sad.

When was the last time a person in TV was attacked by a gator? Again, questions for which I have no facts, so I just go with my gut feeling. You as a law officer probably have a much different view on things than I.

Although if I see a shark in the water, watch how fast I can swim.

Regards.

[Cisco Kid]

If you go to the online newspaper, you will see a video of an alligator walking around someone's sidewalk in Pennecamp. Yikes!

Did anyone check the guys yard for gator poop.
I would hate for some poor dog to get the blame for it.

[buggyone]

For all you with the dogs, I would worry a lot more about what other things they may sniff out in the tall grasses by the marshes and ponds. I have already mentioned the Cane Toads that dogs and grandkids pick up and then get violently sick from the poison.

There are also the Pygmy Rattlesnakes in the same areas. These are about 18" long and will deliver a bite that can kill a dog or make a bite on a child that kills flesh all around the wound.

You will encounter these on a much more frequent basis than ever seeing an alligator out of a pond.

[CFrance]

For all you with the dogs, I would worry a lot more about what other things they may sniff out in the tall grasses by the marshes and ponds. I have already mentioned the Cane Toads that dogs and grandkids pick up and then get violently sick from the poison.

There are also the Pygmy Rattlesnakes in the same areas. These are about 18" long and will deliver a bite that can kill a dog or make a bite on a child that kills flesh all around the wound.

You will encounter these on a much more frequent basis than ever seeing an alligator out of a pond.
Good point. There's lots to be said for confining your dog to walking in the street and running at unforested dog parks like DDRR. And keeping them well out of the woods.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'll pose my question again: How many gators per block would we have to be infested with to reach a number to get you to agree to start removing them?

A better question might be; What is the acceptable number of gators that you would have hanging out on your front lawn?

As long as they stay in the ponds and lakes and rivers, most people don't bother them. (Other than a few natives, most of us don't swim in those bodies of water). If they stay in their areas, we don't bother them. But when they encroach upon our areas and pose a danger to us, our dogs and yes, our children, (or grandchildren for most of us) something has to be done about it.

And that's not even bringing up the alligator poop on the lawn issue.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

For all you with the dogs, I would worry a lot more about what other things they may sniff out in the tall grasses by the marshes and ponds. I have already mentioned the Cane Toads that dogs and grandkids pick up and then get violently sick from the poison.

There are also the Pygmy Rattlesnakes in the same areas. These are about 18" long and will deliver a bite that can kill a dog or make a bite on a child that kills flesh all around the wound.

You will encounter these on a much more frequent basis than ever seeing an alligator out of a pond.

And if a Pygmy Rattlesnake decided to make it's nest in your backyard, you'd leave it alone?

[Barefoot]

And if a Pygmy Rattlesnake decided to make it's nest in your backyard, you'd leave it alone?

Of course the thought of a gator in a residential area is very scary.
However a rattlesnake permanently nesting in a back yard is very different from a gator that will return to water.
I've seen gators on a lot of executive golf courses in The Villages.
I haven't heard of any golfers being attacked.

[Carl in Tampa]

For all you with the dogs, I would worry a lot more about what other things they may sniff out in the tall grasses by the marshes and ponds. I have already mentioned the Cane Toads that dogs and grandkids pick up and then get violently sick from the poison.

There are also the Pygmy Rattlesnakes in the same areas. These are about 18" long and will deliver a bite that can kill a dog or make a bite on a child that kills flesh all around the wound.

You will encounter these on a much more frequent basis than ever seeing an alligator out of a pond.

Well, there's an assertion that I must dispute.

1. Is there anyone reading these posts who has seen a pygmy rattlesnake in The Villages? If so, please speak up.

2. Is there anyone reading these posts who has seen an alligator out of a pond in The Villages? I believe there are already posts on TOTV with reports of seeing alligators crossing roads and on golf courses.

3. And, using a rhetorical question often posed by those who want to let gators roam undisturbed, "Has there ever been a report of a person being bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake in The Villages?"

When I was younger I was a Florida outdoorsman and hunter. In hunting camp I slept on a blanket on the ground (not a sleeping bag) and I neither worried about nor was ever bothered by a rattlesnake.

In fact, in those years of actively hunting, for duck, dove, deer and quail, I never encountered a rattlesnake of any size.

Quail hunting, walking through low undergrowth, DOES carry with it the hazard of encountering full sized rattlesnakes because they prey on the quail and their eggs. Perhaps I was just lucky.

On the other hand, I did encounter and kill three pygmy rattlesnakes while on the dry sandy hills of Ft. Jackson, SC, during Army basic training. In all cases they were within two or three feet of a soldier. I killed them (awkwardly) with my bayonet.

My point is that I would not substitute a remote concern about pygmy rattlesnakes for the genuine hazard of alligators in close proximity to humans.

Incidentally, the pygmy rattlesnake bite delivers such a small quantity of venom that they are seldom fatal. Nonetheless, they are quite painful and immediate medical attention should be sought for a snake bite.

.

[buggyone]

Well, there's an assertion that I must dispute.

1. Is there anyone reading these posts who has seen a pygmy rattlesnake in The Villages? If so, please speak up.

2. Is there anyone reading these posts who has seen an alligator out of a pond in The Villages? I believe there are already posts on TOTV with reports of seeing alligators crossing roads and on golf courses.

3. And, using a rhetorical question often posed by those who want to let gators roam undisturbed, "Has there ever been a report of a person being bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake in The Villages?"

When I was younger I was a Florida outdoorsman and hunter. In hunting camp I slept on a blanket on the ground (not a sleeping bag) and I neither worried about nor was ever bothered by a rattlesnake.

In fact, in those years of actively hunting, for duck, dove, deer and quail, I never encountered a rattlesnake of any size.

Quail hunting, walking through low undergrowth, DOES carry with it the hazard of encountering full sized rattlesnakes because they prey on the quail and their eggs. Perhaps I was just lucky.

On the other hand, I did encounter and kill three pygmy rattlesnakes while on the dry sandy hills of Ft. Jackson, SC, during Army basic training. In all cases they were within two or three feet of a soldier. I killed them (awkwardly) with my bayonet.

My point is that I would not substitute a remote concern about pygmy rattlesnakes for the genuine hazard of alligators in close proximity to humans.

Incidentally, the pygmy rattlesnake bite delivers such a small quantity of venom that they are seldom fatal. Nonetheless, they are quite painful and immediate medical attention should be sought for a snake bite.

.

I am certain quite a few pygmy rattlesnakes have been seen here. I saw one at Pelican and one at Heron last year. I left both alone! I only have heard of one person bitten by an alligator here and that is when his unleashed dog went by a pond and the man saved the dog.

Care to discuss the Cane Toad and dispute their being here, too?

[Carl in Tampa]

I am certain quite a few pygmy rattlesnakes have been seen here. I saw one at Pelican and one at Heron last year. I left both alone! I only have heard of one person bitten by an alligator here and that is when his unleashed dog went by a pond and the man saved the dog.

Care to discuss the Cane Toad and dispute their being here, too?

Whoa! I didn't dispute there are pygmy rattlesnakes around. I just don't consider them a significant threat, particularly in residential areas.

Cane Toads? We've had them here since the 50's when I came to Florida. They are a non-native species that never should have been released here --- which is also true of the Burmese Python, which was also introduced to the wild in South Florida.

I came here from South Texas and we already had them there before I left.

Dogs and cats don't need to eat the Cane Toad to be poisoned by them. It only requires that they lick the toad because the poisonous secretion is on the surface of their skin.

I believe it was Shimpy who said he used to see them on the streets in the Miami area and would go out of his way to run over them. I say "good for him."

Since we agree they are so dangerous to pets and small children, would you agree that any Cane Toads that are seen should be killed and the bodies properly disposed of?

.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

When was the last time a person in TV was attacked by a gator? Again, questions for which I have no facts, so I just go with my gut feeling.

Maybe not in TV, but it was less than a year ago when there was a story in the news about a kid whose arm was completely bitten off by an alligator. He was swimming with a group of kids in an area where they have been swimming for years. Alligators never bothered them before, but this was this kids unlucky day. When I lived in Sarasota in 80's a two year old was eaten by an alligator while playing in his back yard. There are numerous stories over the years of children, dogs and other pets being attacked and killed by gators.

Gator attacks happen all the time. It's true that most of the time these beasts are docile and non-aggressive. But, there are also times that they attack without warning. They are dangerous animals and need to be removed from areas in which people live.
By the way. I sprayed a hornet's nest that was under my eave last week. I see no difference in that and removing an alligator except that when we kill an alligator, we can eat it and use it's skin to make useful products. Dead hornets are useless.

[buggyone]

You bet that Cane Toads should be killed and disposed of in a proper way. I am not against killing noxious critters. I am against killing alligators just because they are in the vicinity of people. Relocate the alligator to the depths of the Everglades in that case.

[Barefoot]

Gator attacks happen all the time. It's true that most of the time these beasts are docile and non-aggressive. But, there are also times that they attack without warning.

I have only heard of gators attacking people who are swimming or walking their dogs close to water.
In The Villages, a dog was attacked when he went to a pond.
I would never, ever take my dogs for a walk close to water.

Other than that, I haven't heard of any attacks in The Villages.
Have you?

[Carl in Tampa]

I have only heard of gators attacking people who are swimming or walking their dogs close to water.
In The Villages, a dog was attacked when he went to a pond.
Other than that, I haven't heard of any attacks in The Villages.
Have you?

So you would concede all of the areas around the ponds and lakes in The Villages to the gators and have the people, their pets and grandchildren stay away?

Again, how many hundreds of gators do you suppose would be in The Villages if there had not been a proactive removal program going on for the past several years, and at what density of gators per block would it have to get to for you to agree to start removing them?

With 1.3 million alligators in Florida alone, we can forebear having them in The Villages living alongside of humans and pets.

.

[CFrance]

So you would concede all of the areas around the ponds and lakes in The Villages to the gators and have the people, their pets and grandchildren stay away?

Again, how many hundreds of gators do you suppose would be in The Villages if there had not been a proactive removal program going on for the past several years, and at what density of gators per block would it have to get to for you to agree to start removing them?

With 1.3 million alligators in Florida alone, we can forebear having them in The Villages living alongside of humans and pets.

.

Yes, that's what I would do. I don't allow my pets to get into dangerous situations for them. The worst example was the alligator that had to be killed because a neglectful owner let his dog run around free in his yard that's on a pond.

And how about limiting the trapping and killing of alligators to those who are actually threatening the people and not just passing through their yards?
.........................
Nice picture, Carl!

[Barefoot]

So you would concede all of the areas around the ponds and lakes in The Villages to the gators and have the people, their pets and grandchildren stay away. ]

When we first bought a home in The Villages, we were told by a native Floridian
... "where there is water in Florida, there are gators".
So I've always found it prudent to stay away from water.

So shoot me!
But yes, I think dogs and children should NOT hang out around ponds or go swimming in lakes.
We have many Family Pools in TV where kids can safely swim.

[CFrance]

When we first bought a home in The Villages, we were told by a native Floridian ... "where there is water in Florida, there are gators". So I've always found it prudent to stay away from water.

So shoot me! But yes, I think dogs and children should NOT hang out around ponds or go swimming. We have many Family Pools in TV where kids can safely swim.
I agree with Bare. Where there are ponds, there may be gators, and kids shouldn't be swimming there. Pets shouldn't be taken around there. Lifeguarded ocean beaches or swimming pool for kids to swim.

[DougB]

We go into their "surf" they kill us, they go into our turf we kill them. Sounds fair to me.

[firewalkerb3]

I suppose it's because the "myth" is perpetuated by FWC who state on their website that no alligators are relocated.

Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/nuisance/)



Question:


What happens to nuisance alligators when they are removed by trappers?

Answer:


When a nuisance alligator trapper removes an alligator, it becomes the property of the trapper. In most cases, the alligator is killed and processed for its hide and meat. Occasionally, a nuisance alligator is sold alive to an alligator farm, animal exhibit or zoo.

Nuisance alligator trappers work under contract with the FWC. They are not state employees. The sale of the alligator hide and meat is their primary compensation. This system results in tremendous savings to Florida's taxpayers.


Question:


Why does the FWC not relocate nuisance alligators in Florida?

Answer:


Florida has a healthy and stable alligator population. We have about 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Alligators live in all 67 counties, and they inhabit all wild areas of Florida that can support them. The removal of nuisance alligators does not have a significant impact on our state's alligator population.

Relocated alligators often try to return to their capture site. They can create problems for people or other alligators along the way. If an alligator successfully returns, capturing it again would be necessary and likely more difficult the second time.

To avoid creating a problem at the release site, nuisance alligators would need to be relocated to remote areas where they would not encounter people. These remote areas already have healthy alligator populations, and the ones that already live there have established social structures. The introduction of a new alligator to these areas would likely cause fighting, possibly resulting in the death of a resident alligator or the introduced alligator.

You are correct, I went to the site and that is what is said. Never told us this, I will check into it.

[PokeyB]

I would hope the relocate it and not just kill it for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[PokeyB]

They will relocate it, not kill it, hopefully.

[CFrance]

^ hahahahahaha!!
What's so funny, Lou?

[PokeyB]

What's so funny, Lou?

That was me, laughing at someone's post here but I didn't reply correctly. Can't figure out how to delete, yet. Newbie mistake. :oops:

[DonH57]

Being this is Florida anyone with a degree of common sense would know if you don't know what's in the water, stay out! If you don't know what's in that thicket of plants where your golf ball went, don't stick your hands in it! I'll catch up, my doorbell rang.

[skyguy79]

Being this is Florida anyone with a degree of common sense would know if you don't know what's in the water, stay out! If you don't know what's in that thicket of plants where your golf ball went, don't stick your hands in it! I'll catch up, my doorbell rang.Careful! It might be the alligator shoe salesman! :1rotfl:

http://im2.peldata.com/bl2/13009/22th.jpg

[CFrance]

Being this is Florida anyone with a degree of common sense would know if you don't know what's in the water, stay out! If you don't know what's in that thicket of plants where your golf ball went, don't stick your hands in it! I'll catch up, my doorbell rang.

Careful! It might be the alligator shoe salesman! :1rotfl:

http://im2.peldata.com/bl2/13009/22th.jpg
Very funny, you guys!:BigApplause:

[PokeyB]

Careful! It might be the alligator shoe salesman! :1rotfl:

http://im2.peldata.com/bl2/13009/22th.jpg

^ Now THAT was funny and gave me a giggle. Thanks! :thumbup:

[DonH57]

It sure enough was strange. Two alligators on each others back in a trench coat and fedora wanting to know if we had an issue.The feet gave them away. I told them we were all set as long as they stay in the lake and I stay out.

[pauld315]

They won't bother anyone if you just leave them alone. I would definitely be more worried about an aggressive raccoon.