Eight foot 'gator?

[lightworker888]

Just heard that there was an 8 foot 'gator somewhere on St. Charles. Does anyone have any info on that? Just wondered if it was near water or in the 'hood.

LW888

[Whodatsaywhodat]

The gator crossed Buena Vista just south of Seabreeze and sat on the cart path before entering the hedge bushes. I got there around 7:00 and Community Watch was on site. When we arrived we were told is was 8'. It grew to 9' in twenty minutes and topped out at 10'. The Gator Trappers were called and after much thrashing and gator hisses, they ultimately had to shoot the gator. While attempting to trap it, the gator bit off the end of one of the trappers finger. We left when the ambulance was called. (the gator shrunk to about 5'-6'). I have a photo but not sure how to post it.

Hopefully the trapper recovers.

[CatskillBill]

I was on the practice green by Turtle Mound this evening around 6:30 when the critter came out of the pond on the exectutive course. He came across the green where I was putting, went over the bottom rail of a wooden fence which he broke, then went across Buena Vista just north of the St Charles roundabout. The gator was slowly making his way between the houses heading for end Loreilei Lane looking for some lovin' I guess. Someone called Community Watch and a pickup showed up to guard the area until the "Gator Experts" arrived some time later after dark.

[Villageshooter]

If you care to get a good look at him,,, stop by the frozen food section on Saturday ,, he will be there cut up and frozen for the price of 5$ a pound,,

WE ARE VISITORS IN HIS WORLD! kinda sad!

[asianthree]

But still someone was bitten, what happens when a dog bites. It ends about the same

[jimbo2012]

I have been reading here that folks owning CYV let their dogs out in their yards because it's fenced.

Maybe you want to check to see if there are any uninvited guests first.

[graciegirl]

But still someone was bitten, what happens when a dog bites. It ends about the same

I have to believe the bite was a tongue in cheek attempt at humor as the size of the alligator appears to be in that post.

Please come back on WHODAT and clear this up immediatly before it goes global.

In other words... I thought he was kidding.

[wendyquat]

Me too Gracie! I can't imagine why anyone would harm the gators here!

[Patty55]

I have been reading here that folks owning CYV let their dogs out in their yards because it's fenced.

Maybe you want to check to see if there are any uninvited guests first.

They can't climb walls, can they?

[coralway]

They can't climb walls, can they?



Heck, a gator that can go from 5'6" to 8' in a matter of minutes could probably not only climb a wall, but could probably get into your garage and drive you car away !!

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Just about the time I start to relax I read posts about gators and snakes. WHY do I read them? Dunno, guess I am drawn to them like some idiot watching a crash she doesn't really want to see but can't turn away. It always makes me anxious and worried about my dogs in the CYV. It's like bad pregnancy horror stories when you are expecting. I have to learn to NOT read them I guess or deal with the anxiety they cause. I like Gracie who says she has never seen a snake. Keep talking, Gracie.

[Whodatsaywhodat]

Gracie girl, so sorry but I was not joking about the bit finger........not something to kid about or said in jest. The Gator Trapper had an assistant and it was he who was bit. The homeowners grabbed a bag of ice for him. What I'm not sure of is how much was bitten off. I was standing next to the Community Watch fellow who called the report in after the trapper announced that his assistant had his finger bitten off. Sumpter County Police also arrived. What was crazy was that the PD Dispatcher actually started to ask his name and age and to hear the Community Watchman yell out those questions was crazy. He also needed the address where we were. The Community Watch man had no idea because we were on Buena Vista "behind" a house that faces another street and they wanted that address. Although we were right on Buena Vista they needed a more precise address so he had to drive around the block. I do know the bite resulted in a lot of blood on the shirt he wrapped his hand in before receiving the ice.

[Whodatsaywhodat]

The increasing size of the gator was mentioned as an example how people can exaggerate what they see. I do have a photo of the dead gator but along with not knowing how to post photos - its probably not something everyone needs to see. The trapper did place a rag over his eyes - red but not sure if it was from the blood or not.

[Barefoot]

They can't climb walls, can they?

If you google the subject on the internet, there are pictures of gators climbing fences. Of course, you can only believe 50% or less of stuff on the internet. If you want to know what gators sound like, you can even hear their different sounds, mating calls, roars of anger, etc. Pretty scary.

[OldDave]

And you all tried to tell this poor old Kansas boy they were more afraid of me than I was of them. Hope they got the finger back and could reattach.

[rubicon]

Does anyone know the identity of the Gator trappers that handled this situation?

[Mickedamouse24]

:shrug: They should have just left the gator alone!! It would have made it's way to another water hole and the chances of it damaging or harming someone human or animal was minimal. People just need to learn that these animals have been in this area for a long time and the developer is destroying their natural habitat~!!! If you see them, admire nature in it's finest. Leave them alone~!!!!:cus:

[wendyquat]

:agree:

I soooo agree with you Mick! The gators AND snakes won't bother anyone that doesn't bother or threaten them! Theres probably a lot more things to worry about walking around on two legs!

[bluedog103]

:agree:

I soooo agree with you Mick! The gators AND snakes won't bother anyone that doesn't bother or threaten them! Theres probably a lot more things to worry about walking around on two legs!
I agree with you too Mick. That's how we handle bears which wander into our neighborhood in NY. The police show up to keep people away from the bear. The bear will eventually wander back up in the mountains. No harm, no foul and no need to kill the bear.

[graciegirl]

If you google the subject on the internet, there are pictures of gators climbing fences. Of course, you can only believe 50% or less of stuff on the internet. If you want to know what gators sound like, you can even hear their different sounds, mating calls, roars of anger, etc. Pretty scary.

I never knew they hissed. Yikes.

[Villageshooter]

we have to get Troy from swamp people in here,, with his side kick Lizbeth!
Troy can find them gators,, Lizbeth can CHOOTEM CHOOOTEM!.. and Troy will fry that bad-boy up and serve him on the square for us!
The thing we really should worry about the sharks in our back pockets, serving up koolaid

[CaptJohn]

I heard the roundabouts are more dangerous than gators!

Gracie, be sure the next time you pick up a garden hose that it's not really a garden snake!

[bestmickey]

I probably observed this same gator last week, in the pond at Turtle Mound. He was between 5 to 6 ft long. At first, he was just swimming in the pond. But, when someone hit a ball that rolled to the edge of the water on the other side of the pond, he ended up moving over there and lay on the ground at the edge of the pond. He was probably waiting for the person to come retrieve his ball. I didn't hang around to watch what happened then, I had to keep moving on the course. I do feel for the critters here. We did invade their territory.

But, on Swamp People (I love that show), the killing of the gators is more warranted since they procreate to an unwieldly level and begin to encroach on the people's lands. If you've ever watched this show, filmed in the swamps of Louisiana, you've seen some BIG gators!

[firewalkerb3]

The water level is low; either a larger male alligator has taken residents in his pond and evicted him. The food source in the pond he was in has been depleted. He was looking for love and had to move to a different pond trying to find it. We are going into the mating season for alligators, so they will be active. Alligators dangerous reptiles, and as they grow so does what on their food chain. Alligators for the most part are not in the habit of unprovoked attacks on humans, however it has happened. Your call on will it attack or not. I sure if this alligator had been out of the water for very long, was hot and tired. He will hiss and he will bite, and when a 9 foot alligator bites, whatever in its mouth is done. Thiers no argument as to whether humans have encroached on alligators habitat. Sure we have, and will continue to. The gray area is how to cohabitate with them? This is a decision that each of us have to make for ourselves. Educate yourself on them. Never feed and alligator or think it want bite, even if you been looking at it for 5 years. Feeding and alligator is death sustenance for that alligator, because the alligator will lose its fear of humans. It will relate humans to a food source. You can find a lot of information on this and other animals or reptiles in Florida on the internet. Or you can contact the state FWC who will answer your questions. And yes they can clim a 6 foot fence, and run at great spped for a shot distance.

[wendyquat]

I never knew they hissed. Yikes.

You would probably hiss too Gracie if someone were threatening you in your habitat!

[skyguy79]

If you get a chance, watch "Gator Boys" on the Animal Planet Network. These guys know how to handle alligators!

[Chinook]

I totally agree, let them alone! Poor guy.

[CarGuys]

I thought these trappers were pretty darn good at snagging a gator and then taping it's mouth shut.

Gator trapping is not my idea of a safe job. The hissing could only be a scarred cornered trapped animal defending itself. I feel bad it had to end this way.

I do have a question. Can a Gator get rabid like a fox or racoons and go nuts? Or are the just in the mating season on the move.

[thekeithfan]

The gator crossed Buena Vista just south of Seabreeze and sat on the cart path before entering the hedge bushes. I got there around 7:00 and Community Watch was on site. When we arrived we were told is was 8'. It grew to 9' in twenty minutes and topped out at 10'. The Gator Trappers were called and after much thrashing and gator hisses, they ultimately had to shoot the gator. While attempting to trap it, the gator bit off the end of one of the trappers finger. We left when the ambulance was called. (the gator shrunk to about 5'-6'). I have a photo but not sure how to post it.

Hopefully the trapper recovers.

Now thats funny!

[Taltarzac725]

I thought these trappers were pretty darn good at snagging a gator and then taping it's mouth shut.

Gator trapping is not my idea of a safe job. The hissing could only be a scarred cornered trapped animal defending itself. I feel bad it had to end this way.

I do have a question. Can a Gator get rabid like a fox or racoons and go nuts? Or are the just in the mating season on the move.

Only mammals get rabies. Now Gator fans do get rabid.

[graciegirl]

You would probably hiss too Gracie if someone were threatening you in your habitat!

I just did Wendy...but the Admin just closed that thread.

NOW...does anyone know how the guy is that got bitten? Scary stuff.

[Posh 08]

Orlando Sentinal May 2nd

75-year-old Lake Wales man survives gator attack on golf course – The Downswing Golf Blog – Orlando Sentinel (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports-golf/2012/05/02/75-year-old-lake-wales-man-survives-gator-attack-on-golf-course/)

[Taltarzac725]

Orlando Sentinal May 2nd

75-year-old Lake Wales man survives gator attack on golf course � The Downswing Golf Blog � Orlando Sentinel (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports-golf/2012/05/02/75-year-old-lake-wales-man-survives-gator-attack-on-golf-course/)

They interviewed the man on one of the Orlando TV stations. It ran last night. He sure had a huge scare. Alligator attacks 75-year-old golfer in Florida (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/05/alligator-attacks-75-year-old-golfer-in-florida/1?csp=34sports)

[Posh 08]

They interviewed the man on one of the Orlando TV stations. It ran last night. He sure had a huge scare.

Bet he'll drop another ball next time and move on.

[Taltarzac725]

Bet he'll drop another ball next time and move on.

Hope so. I remember when I lived in Palm Harbor there was a 10 foot alligator at Lake Tarpon's John Chestnut park which loved to sun itself on the shore of a small lake in that park. Japanese and other tourists knowing no better would try to get on the alligator so they could take pictures of one brave soul after another. Pinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources - John Chesnut Sr. Park (http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/04_chesnut.htm)

At some point, that alligator had had enough of his or her riders and hissed at someone.

They had to kill the gator because of these tourists taking pictures.

[Barefoot]

The water level is low; either a larger male alligator has taken up residence in his pond and evicted him. The food source in the pond he was in has been depleted. He was looking for love and had to move to a different pond trying to find it. We are going into the mating season for alligators, so they will be active.

Alligators are dangerous reptiles, and as they grow so does what on their food chain. Alligators for the most part are not in the habit of unprovoked attacks on humans, however it has happened. Your call on will it attack or not. I sure if this alligator had been out of the water for very long, was hot and tired. He will hiss and he will bite, and when a 9 foot alligator bites, whatever in its mouth is done.

There is no argument as to whether humans have encroached on alligators habitat. Sure we have, and will continue to. The gray area is how to cohabitate with them? This is a decision that each of us have to make for ourselves. Educate yourself on them.

Never feed and alligator or think it won't bite, even if you been looking at it for 5 years. Feeding and alligator is death sustenance for that alligator, because the alligator will lose its fear of humans. It will relate humans to a food source. You can find a lot of information on this and other animals or reptiles in Florida on the internet. Or you can contact the state FWC who will answer your questions. And yes they can climb a 6 foot fence, and run at great spped for a short distance.

I feel very sorry for the displaced animals like gators and coyotes. We need to respect their dilemma, and at the same time, keep our distance.

[skyguy79]

I thought these trappers were pretty darn good at snagging a gator and then taping it's mouth shut.

Gator trapping is not my idea of a safe job. The hissing could only be a scarred cornered trapped animal defending itself. I feel bad it had to end this way.

I do have a question. Can a Gator get rabid like a fox or racoons and go nuts? Or are the just in the mating season on the move.I can't tell you about getting rabid, but I can tell you that they get more hissy and aggressive when mating and after dark when they're feeding.

http://www.smileystar.com/emoticons/msn-animal-emoticons/hungry-crocodile.gif

[firewalkerb3]

No a alligator can�t get rabies, nor any other reptile. As far as on the move, alligators move from one pond or lake for all the reasons in prior post. We need to remind everyone we are in the mating season for alligators and other wildlife. During this time alligators can be extremely aggressive and should be taken seriously. Best to avoid any interaction with them at all; give them a big space when you see one! Alligators make terrible pets (JOKE) good when they are full, bad when hungry. Also to recap prior post, they can climb 6 foot fences, and will work themselves into whatever they want. This includes when one ready to move, when he or she is ready to move it will move. Snakes are more active now as well, looking for love. And like the alligator or people when looking for love and having a time finding it, the mind is safety wired on irritation. Also when snakes shed their skin, for a time they are blind due to the skin shedding around their eyes. So blind, hot and been looking for love = short tempered. Stay Safe and Injoy.

[thekeithfan]

Me too Gracie! I can't imagine why anyone would harm the gators here!

Gators often times have to be killed (in the Villages) all over Florida because people feed them! I saw families down at the Sumpter Landing dock throwing a hot dog at the gator. I told them now that you have feed him they will have to kill him. Same for all other very wild animals. People feed them then next thing you know a child is walking by the lake with food and wham he bites (or worse) the child. Happens all the time.

[graciegirl]

I can't tell you about getting rabid, but I can tell you that they get more hissy and aggressive when mating and after dark when they're feeding.

http://www.smileystar.com/emoticons/msn-animal-emoticons/hungry-crocodile.gif

me too