Alligator at Sumter Landing?

[gingin410]

Does anyone know why the "powers that be" have not arranged for a professional alligator trapper to remove the alligator from Lake Sumter? I love taking the grandchildren to feed the turtles and have frequently ended up with the alligator joining in with the turtles and fish. It's against the law to feed the alligator, but that means not feeding the turtles at all.

[pooh]

Removing gators from that body of water could be an endless job. Gators find water and it's a relatively large body of water for this area. There are many areas where they can enter that lake. The gators will come to where the food is. Gators do eat turtles. Maybe feeding the turtles could put them in danger of becoming the next course if gators decide they're still hungry.

[uujudy]

Are you talking about the gator that lurks under the dock behind the ice cream store? Just walk away from the gator. If you walk along the boardwalk toward the Lighthouse the turtles will follow you, but the gator will stay put. At least that's been my experience.

[Mickedamouse24]

Best thing to do is look, admire and let be the wild life! They will feed themselves without any help from us humans. Does the word "wild!" mean anything? Find something else to amuse the grandkids with and let the animals do their thing..!

[buggyone]

Don't you realize when a professional alligator trapper captures a gator in one of our ponds or lakes, the gator is NOT relocated. They are killed.

Do not feed the turtles either. These are not supposed to be dependent on humans for food.

Personally, I wish a game warden was present at Lake Sumter Landing and was handing out the $500 citations to the people feeding the alligators - or make the children watch as the gator was killed while explaining it was due to their feeding.

[JenAjd]

This thread sounds a bit like a few years ago when we still have bison (buffalo) grazing in the pasture along 466. They were taken away due to grandparents w/children climbing over the fence for a photo-opt. NOT good folks...no matter how you look at things!

As another poster stated they're wild!!! They're in their natural habitat and can fend for themselves (the turtles). We've enjoyed just watching them swim around and don't have to feed them to do that!!! Mr. Gator just might take a lunge one of these days and that won't be a pretty sight no matter how one looks at it.

[Ooper]

It is against FL State law to feed ANY wild animals!

[rhood]

The gator isn't a nuisance yet. That's why it is still there. They get to be a nuisance when foolish people feed them.

[graciegirl]

I swear to goodness we seniors can argue about anything...:angel:

Boy Howdy.

Good Morning everyone!:wave:

[paulandjean]

Or else, If you feel good about feeding them,go ahead. If you think its bad to feed them do not.Do not think it will harm anything. Now everyone should be happy.

[Chief X]

TOTV, if nothing else..has saved me money. I canceled my Direct TV for I can get all of the drama I need, right here! Ha..

[Posh 08]

TOTV, if nothing else..has saved me money. I canceled my Direct TV for I can get all of the drama I need, right here! Ha..

You got that right.

[quirky3]

Usually I am not a "hard liner", but the alligators are a native species, they were "here first" and they are protected by law from anyone interfering with them.

The ponds are not liquid petting zoos. Just had to get that out of my system because I love animals and respect their natural condition and right to remain undisturbed.

"Or else, If you feel good about feeding them, go ahead. If you think its bad to feed them do not.Do not think it will harm anything. Now everyone should be happy." I think not!! Instead, this is a wonderful opportunity to teach grandchildren about preserving natural habitats, and respect for the law. The laws are not subjective. That way, the grandchildren will not grow up to become one of those "rowdy young visitors to the Villages" that people worry about.

[Dennis Ga]

Even if it was not against the law, which it is, it is never a good idea to feed anything that is wild. As God gave them the knowledge to find food, that is best for their health.

[The Village Girl]

Does anyone know why the "powers that be" have not arranged for a professional alligator trapper to remove the alligator from Lake Sumter? I love taking the grandchildren to feed the turtles and have frequently ended up with the alligator joining in with the turtles and fish. It's against the law to feed the alligator, but that means not feeding the turtles at all.


Oh NOOOOO! You were feeding turtles? And possibly alligators too?? How DARE you bring a smile to your grandchildren's face by doing something that might infringe on the earths wildlife.

All I can say is I BEST not catch you feeding any ducks and don't you dare try feeding seagulls at the beach! That might break a "rule" and you wouldn't want to break a "rule" because the "rules" can NEVER be broken. EVER!!!!! Do you understand? EVER!

[Bogie Shooter]

Oh NOOOOO! You were feeding turtles? And possibly alligators too?? How DARE you bring a smile to your grandchildren's face by doing something that might infringe on the earths wildlife.

All I can say is I BEST not catch you feeding any ducks and don't you dare try feeding seagulls at the beach! That might break a "rule" and you wouldn't want to break a "rule" because the "rules" can NEVER be broken. EVER!!!!! Do you understand? EVER!

Not smart to feed the gators!

[buggyone]

Hope Village Girl knows that feeding the alligators is a $500 fine in Florida. Maybe she would also like to explain to grandchildren that the alligator will become used to people and will be determined a nuisance. The gator will be hooked with a huge treble hook and shot in the head to kill it. Let the grandkids watch what happens as a consequence to feeding the gator.

See if that brings a smile to their little faces.

[bimmertl]

Many of us keep forgetting that anything is OK as long as it puts a smile on your grand kids face.

Feed the buffalo, no problem, they smiled,

Drive golf carts, no problem, they smiled.

Feed the gators, nor problem, they smiled.

You must be kidding!!

[billethkid]

the real feelings will come out when one of the kids gets grabbed by a gator. Couldn't happen? Why not?

There is no room for doing what one feels like when it comes to wild animals. And even though we are part of a way too permissive society....follow the rules....and show your grandkids by good example that doing what is right is far better than "cute".

btk

[The Village Girl]

Does anyone know why the "powers that be" have not arranged for a professional alligator trapper to remove the alligator from Lake Sumter? I love taking the grandchildren to feed the turtles and have frequently ended up with the alligator joining in with the turtles and fish. It's against the law to feed the alligator, but that means not feeding the turtles at all.

Did anyone read the OP post? This poster was not trying to feed the alligator and if it's against the law to feed the turtles then just state it. This post is no exception to just about any other post on this site lately!

Clearly, no one read the original post because all most wanted to do was talk about feeding the alligator when the poster made a point that that is NOT what they were trying to do.

As I recall, only one poster tried to come up with an answer to this question.

Can we TRY to just answer the question and NOT beat up the poster? Did anyone pay attention enough to see this poster has only posted a few times? Well, I think they must REALLY feel welcome now!

Oh, if it makes you feel better to direct your wrath on me, so be it!

[cappyjon431]

I go out paddle boarding on Lake Miona a few times a week and always see gators. They don't bother me and I don't bother them. They usually leave in a hurry if I get too close. I love seeing them in their natural habitat exhibiting their natural behaviors.

The problem with feeding them is that it changes their behavior. They soon begin to associate humans with food (remember, their brains are slightly larger than a walnut). They begin to lose their natural fear of humans. It is this association of humans/food which makes them nuisance gators and will frequently lead to the gators being destroyed. It also leads to an increased risk for all those tasty little grandkids.

[cappyjon431]

Did anyone read the OP post? This poster was not trying to feed the alligator and if it's against the law to feed the turtles then just state it. This post is no exception to just about any other post on this site lately!

Clearly, no one read the original post because all most wanted to do was talk about feeding the alligator when the poster made a point that that is NOT what they were trying to do.

As I recall, only one poster tried to come up with an answer to this question.

Can we TRY to just answer the question and NOT beat up the poster? Did anyone pay attention enough to see this poster has only posted a few times? Well, I think they must REALLY feel welcome now!

Oh, if it makes you feel better to direct your wrath on me, so be it!

Your point is well taken. On the other hand, it is important to realize that gators EAT turtles. If you feed turtles regularly they tend to congregate in THAT area (another example of how feeding changes wild animal behavior). If the turtles congregate in one area regularly to be fed, it can/will attract gators, which would certainly be a threat to the turtles and possibly be a threat to those feeding the turtles. It is best to avoid feeding wild animals so as not to change their behaviors.

[Bogie Shooter]

Oh NOOOOO! You were feeding turtles? And possibly alligators too?? How DARE you bring a smile to your grandchildren's face by doing something that might infringe on the earths wildlife.

All I can say is I BEST not catch you feeding any ducks and don't you dare try feeding seagulls at the beach! That might break a "rule" and you wouldn't want to break a "rule" because the "rules" can NEVER be broken. EVER!!!!! Do you understand? EVER!

And what is it you are trying to say in this post. Is it tongue in cheek or do you really mean rules are there to be broken??

[The Village Girl]

Your point is well taken. On the other hand, it is important to realize that gators EAT turtles. If you feed turtles regularly they tend to congregate in THAT area (another example of how feeding changes wild animal behavior). If the turtles congregate in one area regularly to be fed, it can/will attract gators, which would certainly be a threat to the turtles and possibly be a threat to those feeding the turtles. It is best to avoid feeding wild animals so as not to change their behaviors.


Yes, I agree cappyjon. And to state that would be enough. I understood that the first time it was said and the second, and the third. So have the 800 people who came to this thread. Why do people have to jump on a poster AND why a new poster?

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment in a nice way. It is greatly appreciated.

I feel that more people would post and come on this site if people would post their answers nicely.

[cappyjon431]

Yes, I agree cappyjon. And to state that would be enough. I understood that the first time it was said and the second, and the third. So have the 800 people who came to this thread. Why do people have to jump on a poster AND why a new poster?

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment in a nice way. It is greatly appreciated.

I feel that more people would post and come on this site if people would post their answers nicely.

Agreed. My wife no longer uses TOTV because she dared to (God Forbid!) give a poor review of the restaurant at Glenview Country Club. It was one of her first posts, and she was jumped on by all sides--accused of being an ex-employee with an axe to grind as well as someone saying that it is frequently the poster's fault if the service is poor. People were downright nasty. At least the moderator removed some of the more personal attacks. She was so turned off by the experience that she no longer even looks at TOTV.

[The Village Girl]

Agreed. My wife no longer uses TOTV because she dared to (God Forbid!) give a poor review of the restaurant at Glenview Country Club. It was one of her first posts, and she was jumped on by all sides--accused of being an ex-employee with an axe to grind as well as someone saying that it is frequently the poster's fault if the service is poor. People were downright nasty. At least the moderator removed some of the more personal attacks. She was so turned off by the experience that she no longer even looks at TOTV.


Yes, I remember that one. I remember you were the hero who came to her defense. I won't forget it!

[aljetmet]

I swear to goodness we seniors can argue about anything...:angel:

Boy Howdy.

Good Morning everyone!:wave:

It's gonna be a hoot in about 15 years. I envision after banging on the keyboards for so long we'll have athritic hands, won't be able to golf and we'all will just be having a grand ole time arguing non stop making a million typoes long the way. By the way, when you play with matches....
:loco:

[The Village Girl]

It's gonna be a hoot in about 15 years. I envision after banging on the keyboards for so long we'll have athritic hands, won't be able to golf and we'all will just be having a grand ole time arguing non stop making a million typoes long the way. By the way, when you play with matches....
:loco:


You gotta love Gracie! A little Gracie never hurt any thread! Thanks!

[BigLew]

yeah! flame.....flame....crap....yadayadayada

Ginny, you are intruding on their environment, be happy they don't feed on you, the end!

:sing::wave::oops::rant-rave:

[Posh 08]

Somebody will complain. I had a thread today and asked folks living in TV if they missed snow. We were all cruising along, no fights, all was well. Then somebody complained that my thread was in the wrong place. BAM, it was moved. Snow balls to the complainers.

[paulandjean]

The way I look at this. If you do not like people feeding turtles walk away. If you do not like them throwing some popcorn at gators walk away.I see no problem with this.Like how many gators are in lake sumter anyway. 5-10. Do not think they will harm anyone up on the docks. Never seen one at the Square.People Lighten Up. Ps,If someone told me thats a $500 fine for feeding the gators or turtles, I would say "call a cop"

[cappyjon431]

This might be slightly off topic (and if so, the mods are welcome to remove it), but I just remembered a very significant personal experience that demonstrates exactly why it is a bad idea to feed wild animals.

When I was younger (and for almost 20 years), I worked as a dive guide/dive instructor. My first job in the dive industry was leading groups of divers in the Bahamas. Once a week (every Wednesday) we would do a shark feed dive. Divers would kneel on the bottom with their backs to a coral ledge and watch as a chum ball (frozen fish) was lowered from a skiff. The sharks would come in, feed, put on a great show for the divers, and then leave. We would escort the divers safely back to the boat. I loved this experience and thought it was one of the greatest jobs ever.

We did this feed every week and never had a diver bitten or even threatened. By doing the feed every week the sharks' behavior began to change. They soon (after a couple of months of doing weekly feedings) began associating our boat's engine noise with food and began congregating before we even had the divers or the food in the water. This was still not a problem. The divers loved it and I thought it was an awesome experience. I didn't realize at the time that changing their behavior in this way would have dire consequences.

After a few months of doing the dives, we had to bring the boat from the Bahamas to Miami for our annual maintenance in the shipyard and our Coast Guard inspection. We left the Bahamas for a month.

When we returned and wanted to begin doing our shark feed again, we noticed that our engine noise no longer attracted the dozens of sharks that normally showed up. When we put the divers in the water and dropped the chum, we saw no sharks. They had mysteriously disappeared. We thought that perhaps since they were not being fed regularly maybe they forgot about the feeds. Until we spoke to a local islander and found out that since a group of local fishermen knew that sharks were regularly attracted to our shark feed spot, they thought it would be sporting to go out and catch and kill dozens of sharks in a single afternoon. It was a senseless slaughter and I was devastated. I felt (and rightly so) that I was partly to blame. Afterall, if we didn't draw the sharks to that area regularly, it would not have been possible to annihilate all those sharks in such a short time. I loved watching the sharks, thier sleek, majestic movement through the water will always be etched in my mind. Our divers loved seeing them as well. Now they were gone, and it was mainly due to our changing the sharks' natural behavior.

The company wanted to resume shark feeding off a different island, as the feeds were immensely popular with our guests. I strongly objected. When they resumed the feeds I had to find a different job, because I couldn't stomach being responsible for a replay.


I know that I am probably being overly passionate about urging people to avoid feeding wild animals, but it is something I feel very strongly about. Now ya'll know why. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening.

[cappyjon431]

The way I look at this. If you do not like people feeding turtles walk away. If you do not like them throwing some popcorn at gators walk away.I see no problem with this.Like how many gators are in lake sumter anyway. 5-10. Do not think they will harm anyone up on the docks. Never seen one at the Square.People Lighten Up. Ps,If someone told me thats a $500 fine for feeding the gators or turtles, I would say "call a cop"

Maybe I'm just not getting your point. I apologize. So, let me get this right. It is OK to break some laws, as long as you get to pick which laws to ignore? It IS against the law to feed gators, but you have decided you don't think this law is important so it is OK for people to ignore it. I guess folks who ignore other laws (like breaking and entering, burglary, assault, etc.) are just following your lead--they are deciding which laws are "OK" to break just like you. Not what I would want to teach my grandchildren (when I am blessed to have some).

[pooh]

This might be slightly off topic (and if so, the mods are welcome to remove it), but I just remembered a very significant personal experience that demonstrates exactly why it is a bad idea to feed wild animals.

When I was younger (and for almost 20 years), I worked as a dive guide/dive instructor. My first job in the dive industry was leading groups of divers in the Bahamas. Once a week (every Wednesday) we would do a shark feed dive. Divers would kneel on the bottom with their backs to a coral ledge and watch as a chum ball (frozen fish) was lowered from a skiff. The sharks would come in, feed, put on a great show for the divers, and then leave. We would escort the divers safely back to the boat. I loved this experience and thought it was one of the greatest jobs ever.

We did this feed every week and never had a diver bitten or even threatened. By doing the feed every week the sharks' behavior began to change. They soon (after a couple of months of doing weekly feedings) began associating our boat's engine noise with food and began congregating before we even had the divers or the food in the water. This was still not a problem. The divers loved it and I thought it was an awesome experience. I didn't realize at the time that changing their behavior in this way would have dire consequences.

After a few months of doing the dives, we had to bring the boat from the Bahamas to Miami for our annual maintenance in the shipyard and our Coast Guard inspection. We left the Bahamas for a month.

When we returned and wanted to begin doing our shark feed again, we noticed that our engine noise no longer attracted the dozens of sharks that normally showed up. When we put the divers in the water and dropped the chum, we saw no sharks. They had mysteriously disappeared. We thought that perhaps since they were not being fed regularly maybe they forgot about the feeds. Until we spoke to a local islander and found out that since a group of local fishermen knew that sharks were regularly attracted to our shark feed spot, they thought it would be sporting to go out and catch and kill dozens of sharks in a single afternoon. It was a senseless slaughter and I was devastated. I felt (and rightly so) that I was partly to blame. Afterall, if we didn't draw the sharks to that area regularly, it would not have been possible to annihilate all those sharks in such a short time. I loved watching the sharks, thier sleek, majestic movement through the water will always be etched in my mind. Our divers loved seeing them as well. Now they were gone, and it was mainly due to our changing the sharks' natural behavior.

The company wanted to resume shark feeding off a different island, as the feeds were immensely popular with our guests. I strongly objected. When they resumed the feeds I had to find a different job, because I couldn't stomach being responsible for a replay.


I know that I am probably being overly passionate about urging people to avoid feeding wild animals, but it is something I feel very strongly about. Now ya'll know why. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening.
Thanks, Cappy, this story is very pertinent. The turtles as well as the gators can easily become conditioned to expect food when they see humans. So often we do things that we think are helpful or enjoyable to animals when in fact, we are only making ourselves feel better. I don't believe any of the creatures that live within TV borders are suffering from food shortages. Nature isn't always pretty, one creature eats another and that's the way it is. Feeding the turtles may seem like fun and I'm sure it is for the little kids who are enjoying seeing the critters eat, but I'm not sure they'd enjoy watching a hungry gator devour one of those turtles.

So often we project our human emotions onto animals...it's not always easy to realize that their diets are so different from ours, their behaviors are many times instinctual and they are not domesticated.

Pick on me if any of you have difficulty with this, but I know what is right and what is wrong when dealing with and living among nature's creatures.

[Barefoot]

The way I look at this. If you do not like people feeding turtles walk away. If you do not like them throwing some popcorn at gators walk away.I see no problem with this.Like how many gators are in lake sumter anyway. 5-10. Do not think they will harm anyone up on the docks. Never seen one at the Square.People Lighten Up. Ps,If someone told me thats a $500 fine for feeding the gators or turtles, I would say "call a cop"

The rationale expressed in the above post could possibly shed some light on why the buffalo needed to be removed from TV. I think the two points under discussion here are respect for wildlife, and teaching grandchildren to obey laws.

[Bogie Shooter]

The way I look at this. If you do not like people feeding turtles walk away. If you do not like them throwing some popcorn at gators walk away.I see no problem with this .Like how many gators are in lake sumter anyway. 5-10. Do not think they will harm anyone up on the docks. Never seen one at the Square.People Lighten Up. Ps,If someone told me thats a $500 fine for feeding the gators or turtles, I would say "call a cop"

It is posts like this one that draw comments that are then called bashing.
I cannot imagine what else......you see no problem with.

[The Village Girl]

This might be slightly off topic (and if so, the mods are welcome to remove it), but I just remembered a very significant personal experience that demonstrates exactly why it is a bad idea to feed wild animals.

When I was younger (and for almost 20 years), I worked as a dive guide/dive instructor. My first job in the dive industry was leading groups of divers in the Bahamas. Once a week (every Wednesday) we would do a shark feed dive. Divers would kneel on the bottom with their backs to a coral ledge and watch as a chum ball (frozen fish) was lowered from a skiff. The sharks would come in, feed, put on a great show for the divers, and then leave. We would escort the divers safely back to the boat. I loved this experience and thought it was one of the greatest jobs ever.

We did this feed every week and never had a diver bitten or even threatened. By doing the feed every week the sharks' behavior began to change. They soon (after a couple of months of doing weekly feedings) began associating our boat's engine noise with food and began congregating before we even had the divers or the food in the water. This was still not a problem. The divers loved it and I thought it was an awesome experience. I didn't realize at the time that changing their behavior in this way would have dire consequences.

After a few months of doing the dives, we had to bring the boat from the Bahamas to Miami for our annual maintenance in the shipyard and our Coast Guard inspection. We left the Bahamas for a month.

When we returned and wanted to begin doing our shark feed again, we noticed that our engine noise no longer attracted the dozens of sharks that normally showed up. When we put the divers in the water and dropped the chum, we saw no sharks. They had mysteriously disappeared. We thought that perhaps since they were not being fed regularly maybe they forgot about the feeds. Until we spoke to a local islander and found out that since a group of local fishermen knew that sharks were regularly attracted to our shark feed spot, they thought it would be sporting to go out and catch and kill dozens of sharks in a single afternoon. It was a senseless slaughter and I was devastated. I felt (and rightly so) that I was partly to blame. Afterall, if we didn't draw the sharks to that area regularly, it would not have been possible to annihilate all those sharks in such a short time. I loved watching the sharks, thier sleek, majestic movement through the water will always be etched in my mind. Our divers loved seeing them as well. Now they were gone, and it was mainly due to our changing the sharks' natural behavior.

The company wanted to resume shark feeding off a different island, as the feeds were immensely popular with our guests. I strongly objected. When they resumed the feeds I had to find a different job, because I couldn't stomach being responsible for a replay.


I know that I am probably being overly passionate about urging people to avoid feeding wild animals, but it is something I feel very strongly about. Now ya'll know why. I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening.


I'm sorry that you had to deal with that and I can feel in your words how much this hurt you. Thank you so much for posting this story.

I wasn't trying to make a point one way or the other as to if the poster should or shouldn't anything, I think you understand that. However, after reading this story, I will certainly think twice about feeding ANYTHING other then myself!

Thank you!
:angel:

[duffysmom]

I think that we've become so removed from nature that we have lost respect for the power of nature. I've witnessed a gentleman jump a fence to walk a small child close to a resting alligator. I've witnessed grandparents lifting little children up to feed a wild buffalo. I've witnessed adults playing golf with lightning flashing all around them. My neighbor went to the ER after being head butted by a buffalo he was petting.:loco:

[Trish Crocker]

Heck, I have enough trouble remembering to feed my cat!! I understand what the original poster was saying, it is fun to make memories with the grandkids. I think that this gives every grandparent with a visiting grandchild the opportunity to teach the kids...they will want to feed the animals but by explaining the reasoning the kids will learn and develop a respect for nature...perfect thing to pass on to our kids and something they will remember. Gingin, please don't be offended or feel like you were being attacked...sometimes we get a little over anxious with our answers. Enjoy those grandbabies! (by the way, when I move down there...if anyone wants to send the kids over to feed my cats.....):laugh:

[Sail41]

We also have a condo in So Fla and have had to remove 3 gators in my 15 years living here. It's not pleasant. Certainly not a good thing for children to view. We find that as a big one is removed, a smaller one moves in almost immediately and lives here most of it's life. They don't really bother anyone as long as NO ONE feeds them. When they reach 8' or 8'6" we have to remove them for the safety of our residents and or small children who may be visiting grandparents. We also have turtles and they do just fine if left alone. Possibly they should post signs about feeding the gators as LSL?
Problem solved!

[pooh]

While some may consider some of the responses as "bashing," please do realize that many of us are very concerned about injury to those who might be feeding wildlife and harm to the wildlife. It's so easy to forget or maybe not truly realize the power and strength, as well as the SPEED of a gator. Most of us have not lived around these reptiles before and also may not have witnessed their attack behaviors. While the turtles seem to be mild and gentle creatures, when they become accustomed to getting "handouts," their natural foods and the others who are in that particular food chain, are also impacted.

No one wants to see anyone injured or worse because they might not have realized how one interaction with wild animals can cause further impact later on. Gators in the main lake don't always stay in that particular lake...it's almost as if the gators around our community are migratory... ;) ...they go from one lake to another and if ones that have been fed become less fearful of humans, and that human is blissfully ignorant of the power and speed of gators, well, gators are seen on golf courses, one kept running up close to a green we ladies were playing on....a squirrel was taunting the beast and now it's not afraid of man...well, it could be rather nasty.

Please, all, be safe, enjoy nature, but remember for every action there is reaction...sometimes we are aware of the reaction, but many times, not. I don't want to have our gators impacted through no fault of their own...their lives are literally, in our hands.

Thank you for indulging me in this venue for my small rant.

[graciegirl]

Heck, I have enough trouble remembering to feed my cat!! I understand what the original poster was saying, it is fun to make memories with the grandkids. I think that this gives every grandparent with a visiting grandchild the opportunity to teach the kids...they will want to feed the animals but by explaining the reasoning the kids will learn and develop a respect for nature...perfect thing to pass on to our kids and something they will remember. Gingin, please don't be offended or feel like you were being attacked...sometimes we get a little over anxious with our answers. Enjoy those grandbabies! (by the way, when I move down there...if anyone wants to send the kids over to feed my cats.....):laugh:

What she said.

And What Pooh said.

and what Cappy Jon said

and what Bogie said

And what Bare said.

All of you respectfully and thoughtfully sharing your life experiences..makes this forum so great.

And on a lighter note...I do NOT want to even think about what would happen if we didn't feed our two cats, Mikey, Harry and Hershey, at five in the morning.:wave:

[JenAjd]

This is maybe like beating a "dead horse"...I didn't see this thread as "bashing" anyone. Truly I didn't...just maybe educating someone who isn't familiar with the habitat here in FL.

Up north we had another such example, though the wildlife probably wouldn't kill anyone. We lived near lakes (this was maybe 25 or 30 years ago) and once in awhile we'd have ducks that would be swimming..not many but a few. It was a novel thing for folks to feed them bread crumbs and so cute when they also had their babies. Fast forward to the past 10 years or so...NOW there are flocks and flocks of these and other wild water-fowl. They congregate in parks, yards and more. They leave ALOT of their "residue" and that's stinky and profuse. If you live in one of these--you KNOW all too much how much damage they'll do to your yard! Sometimes they also congregate in farm fields and that too is a bad deal--they feed on the seeds planted or wreck the crops. There are now businesses (folks with dogs) to chase (humanly) these birds away. Does it work? Sometimes but mostly not as they're tenacious because there will "STILL" be those who want to feed them breadcrumbs etc. because they think they're doing them a favor...and it's fun to take the grandkids along sometimes to do it. I don't mean to bash anyone..just to say that God created these animals and will provide for them. Living here, they (all the wild-life) have enough to keep them full. Just my 2-cents worth.

[Jhooman]

I have a confession to make.:sing: First I want to say sorry for feeding the wild life:doh:. Forty years ago I was a tour guide at Palm Coast, Fl. We had a pond outside our office, Sam the gator hung out and I would feed him or her leftover hotdogs:loco:. I squealed with laughter every time I threw a dog. That gator and I had a thang going on.:girlneener:

I know it was wrong, I've made my confession, I currently do not feed the wild life, but I must admit the memory of Sam eating my dogs brings a smile to my face.:wave:

Hope you all will forgive me for my sins.:loco:

[Jim 9922]

I hope those of you that are agahst at feeding wild fish and turtles aren't the ones with bird feeders, hummingbird feeders, and bird baths and maybe even put up bird houses. It seems to me those things also affect the ways of "wild" birds and whatever other animal you are feeding in your back yard.
Just saying, its in the eye of the beholder.

[villages07]

JHooman.... the first time I skimmed your post I missed the "hot" in front of dogs...then saw the subsequent references to dogs and thought ..oh, no....that'll spur some strong replies. Glad I re-read it and see you were tossing Gator Sam some hot dogs and not pooches. Whew.

I think the statute of limitations has passed (as perhaps has gator Sam from all those nitrates)...so, you are forgiven.

[cappyjon431]

I want to apologize if anyone thought I was "bashing" or just as bad, "lecturing." It was certainly not my intention. We are all adults and should be capable of civil discourse. We all have our own opinions and should be respectful of the opinions of others.

I don't post often, but this is a topic that is very important to me. I grew up in south Florida and have been around gators most of my life. I lived in Miami when gators were not protected and you could go into any roadside souvenier stand and buy a stuffed and shellacked baby gator wearing a cute little outfit or a gator claw back scratcher. I was young so I didn't even realize how disgusting this was. I remember when they faced extinction here in Florida and they were placed on the edangered species list (I think it was in 1967). Fortunately, over the last several decades of enforcing laws aimed at protecting gators they have made a comeback and are no longer endangered. Hopefully by abiding by laws (such as the laws prohibiting the feeding of gators), alligators will continue to be an integral part of our beautiful ecosystem. I love seeing them in their natural habitat and firmly believe that humans and gators can coexist.

[cappyjon431]

I hope those of you that are agahst at feeding wild fish and turtles aren't the ones with bird feeders, hummingbird feeders, and bird baths and maybe even put up bird houses. It seems to me those things also affect the ways of "wild" birds and whatever other animal you are feeding in your back yard.
Just saying, its in the eye of the beholder.

I'm not a big fan of bird feeders either. My mom used to have many birdfeeders in our back yard. She loved watching the beautiful bluejays, cardinals, and other birds flock to our backyard--until the neighborhood cats realized that hanging out by the bird feeders was an easy way to get a quick meal. Kinda like a McDonalds for cats. Once my mother realized she was responsible for the needless deaths of many of the birds she enjoyed watching, she stopped feeding the birds. I'm sure they found plenty of food on their own.

[pooh]

I hope those of you that are agahst at feeding wild fish and turtles aren't the ones with bird feeders, hummingbird feeders, and bird baths and maybe even put up bird houses. It seems to me those things also affect the ways of "wild" birds and whatever other animal you are feeding in your back yard.
Just saying, its in the eye of the beholder.

No feeders or anything else you mentioned in my yard....I have plenty of plants that attract creatures...and besides, those d***d squirrels would think the feed was just for them. I don't need any more squirrels, thank you very much.....;)

[gingin410]

Thanks for all the answers...both positive and negative as they have given me pause to think. I thought that taking grandkids to feed the turtles was going to be one of the traditions we could do as we start our new life in TV. I had heard it talked about so much by others and now it has become a special treat for the younger grandkids. I know they'll outgrow it in a few years but we will always remember our evening walks along the lake after dinner when we fed the turtles (trying NOT to feed the alligator).

[Jhooman]

JHooman.... the first time I skimmed your post I missed the "hot" in front of dogs...then saw the subsequent references to dogs and thought ..oh, no....that'll spur some strong replies. Glad I re-read it and see you were tossing Gator Sam some hot dogs and not pooches. Whew.

I think the statute of limitations has passed (as perhaps has gator Sam from all those nitrates)...so, you are forgiven.

Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you very much......:angel::angel::angel: