Alligators

[TOMCAT]

I would like to know how many of you that live in the Villages has actually seen an alligator. I was told if you bang on the posts at Lake Sumter Landing, an alligator will pop his head out of the water. :1rotfl:

[quirky3]

Welcome! I can tell you are "new in these parts"! Yes, alligators of all sizes are all around. And they are fast. They mostly hide just under the surface of the water.

[KathieI]

I would like to know how many of you that live in the Villages has actually seen an alligator. I was told if you bang on the posts at Lake Sumter Landing, an alligator will pop his head out of the water. :1rotfl:

Tomcat, I have been here 5 years and have never seen an alligator. Now, snakes??? that's another story, lol.

[quirky3]

I snapped this picture of a gator coming near the edge of the pond behind my house

[Carl in Tampa]

When eating on the outside dining area at The Lighthouse on Lake Sumter around dusk it is not unusual to see a gator in the water near the sign that says Do Not Feed The Alligators.

You will often also see a lot of turtle heads breaking the surface of the water.

Some people walk the boardwalk from The Lighthouse to the town square while "feeding the turtles." You never know when you might see a gator along there.

In Florida on any given day there is a possibility that you might see an alligator in any given body of water. They roam around.

Have you banged on a post at Lake Sumter Landing yet?

:D

[TOMCAT]

When eating on the outside dining area at The Lighthouse on Lake Sumter around dusk it is not unusual to see a gator in the water near the sign that says Do Not Feed The Alligators.

You will often also see a lot of turtle heads breaking the surface of the water.

Some people walk the boardwalk from The Lighthouse to the town square while "feeding the turtles." You never know when you might see a gator along there.

In Florida on any given day there is a possibility that you might see an alligator in any given body of water. They roam around.

Have you banged on a post at Lake Sumter Landing yet?

:D
We were there for a visit as we do not live there. We were told to bang on the posts by the taxi driver when we left. We did not have time, but we will the next time.

[2newyorkers]

We have seen "Fred" many times in the pond between Palmer and Bridgeport at Sumter landing.

[ncarvalho]

Like this one? Lol!
I see them all the time, while in Brazil -- no harm, as long as you don't swim with them! Same applies to TV.

[borjo]

Here's a picture taken from the boardwalk at Sumter Landing.

[jhrc4]

Why do you end with ...LOL, or lol, LoL, LOl, or lOL..or etc. how about HnG ,or hNg..which means Hello and Goodbye..at least it's different.

[e-flyer]

We saw this big guy sunning himself near a 466A pond on the Turtle Mount golf course as we drove by about a month ago.

O&O (over and out) :a040: I couldn't resist!

[kittygilchrist]

bang the post would only work if the gator has been fed, which is illegal. alligators may show up at any time in any water in TV-- they are ubiquitous in the many lakes outside tv and inhabit most of the waters in tv that are not on golf courses, from which they get removed. Locals have great respect for them and warn against pets being near the water.
I think we are on borrowed time that no one has reported being injured or having a pet injured by a gator. We are on their turf.

[buggyone]

Kitty,

Go read the thread of 9-25-12 where a Villager jumped in a pond to save his dog from an alligator. That probably happened before you moved to The Villages. There were 195 replies to that thread. A lot had to do with the dog being off his leash; a lot had to do with the bravery of the owner; and a lot had to do with the killing of the alligator.

Yes, the alligators are around. They are wild animals and not pets to throw food at for our enjoyment.

Did you ever know of a place called Pirate's Cove in Gainesville? That is where I saw my first wild alligator.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We've been here for a year and a half and have seen exactly one gator. It was swimming near the boardwalk at LSL. We've gone back there many times to see him again and never have.

[gomoho]

We've been here just a little over a year and I haven't seen anywhere near the gators I expected to see. I am disappointed 'cause a gator sighting just makes my day. They are here - no doubt - seeing them is another story.

[mac9]

We have seen "Fred" many times in the pond between Palmer and Bridgeport at Sumter landing.

I wonder if he is a friend of Francis Albert whom I often see there!

[VT2TV]

I used to see a lot of alligators around the golf courses, but I can't remember the last time I saw one on the courses-certainly not this summer. i am sure people have seen them, but each year they seem to get fewer and fewer IMO. I would much rather see the alligators-I won'r bother them if they won't bother me. Snakes, however, can hide very well----until you reach for your golf ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[mulligan]

What makes you think gators are removed from golf courses ?? Gators are removed when they lose their fear of humans. Usually a result of being fed by people who don't know any better.

[oldyeller]

Gators are every where. It depends on the time of year but just keep looking you will see the eyes just breaking the on surface

[collie1228]

I played Cane Garden yesterday. Saw a 5-6 footer on one pond and a much smaller one a couple holes later. Seeing two gators on one day is very unusual for me. When we first came to TV for a visit in 2008 there were many more alligators on the golf course ponds. Apparently TV doesn't want so many and has reduced their numbers.

[marianne237]

They are there. You just have to be lucky to see them. And please, don't feed the gators or turtles....otherwise, they will be going the same as the buffalo.

[kellyjam]

Saw one in the water just outside Brownwood while coming down Buena Vista. Didn't look like there was much to stop him from coming on the cart path if he wanted to.

[ncarvalho]

Why do you end with ...LOL, or lol, LoL, LOl, or lOL..or etc. how about HnG ,or hNg..which means Hello and Goodbye..at least it's different.
Hi jhrc4,
I used LOL because I did not know better than it and I normally use that or rs rs rs (which is the same of "smiles smiles smiles" in Portuguese). I did not realize about HnG, which is different and nice too!
Another one, that I will leave on this post is XoXo, which means hugs and kisses.
Best,
xox!o

[Ohio RailGirl]

Saw one in the water just outside Brownwood while coming down Buena Vista. Didn't look like there was much to stop him from coming on the cart path if he wanted to.

This gator was removed from the end of Crestview in Buttonwood in June and we are not that close to a pond. It had to have crossed a golf course, walked down St. Charles and walked to the end of Crestview before it was noticed.

[buggyone]

The alligator in the picture that is being measured is DEAD. Killed by an alligator trapper in a horrible method. Killed for the reason of walking across a golf course while searching for another pond.

[TOMCAT]

The alligator in the picture that is being measured is DEAD. Killed by an alligator trapper in a horrible method. Killed for the reason of walking across a golf course while searching for another pond.

I think that is awful too. Not that I like seeing alligators walking down the road or anything, but those creatures have a right to thrive if they are not bothering anyone and just trying to get to a new home. It should have just be tranquilized and put some other place. That is just my own opinion.:cry:

[TOMCAT]

My husband and I have seen the turtles in the water at Lake Sumter. I do not think I would feed any wildlife though, they can manage to eat by themselves. It can also bring rodents around, which I would not want to see!

[Carl in Tampa]

The alligator in the picture that is being measured is DEAD. Killed by an alligator trapper in a horrible method. Killed for the reason of walking across a golf course while searching for another pond.

I'm curious to know the "horrible method" the trapper used to kill the gator.

The customary method is a single gunshot from a small caliber firearm to the brain, bringing instant death. It is the most humane way to kill a gator.

This gator apparently was subdued prior to being killed as is evidenced by the tape holding his mouth closed.

Trappers are paid by being able to sell the hides and meat of the gators they remove. This keeps gator tail on the menus of the local seafood houses and gator hide coverings on brief cases, shoes and boots.

The gator in the photo could not have been taken unless it met the State's legal definition as a nuisance.

In addition to letting trappers harvest nuisance gators, the state allows qualified individuals to hunt gators in the wild that are not considered nuisances. I think the bag limit is two per person.

[butterfly sue]

We have visited Florida for 30 years before retiring here and living here for 7 years. The more you learn the better informed you are about alligators. I have heard it mentioned that for every pond of water, there is an alligator. True or false, who really knows. I do not live near any of the water ponds etc here in TV. I think my chances of having an actual alligator in my yard as very neligible or maybe on a rare occasion. That being said I have seen alligators here and look for them in the ponds. I remember before we moved here we saw a large alligator by where Mission Hills is now. It was along the south side of 466 and east of Morse. It was being removed since it was so large. If I lived with a pond in my backyard, I would pay attention to my surroundings and DO NOT FEED the critters. They get food on their own and that is the BEST advice to offer. Keep your distance from them too.

Some funny stories:

We were traveling down Buenta Vista, near Bridgeport. Two cars were stopped in front of us and we were thinking of going around them, but luckily we didn't. We saw an alligator on his tippy toes running across the road and he was a reasonable size. We couldn't believe it. So be careful driving as people are trying to miss turtles and alligators or whatever. They are stopped for a reason.

Yrs ago we were in the Everglades. We signed up for a night time walk. During the day we did that walk and saw just how close to alligators one can be. So it was scary at first, but the ranger was leading us on this pathway so we were safe(?). He had a flashlight and was showing us things. One was an owl that was on a post who shortly took off after being flashed. We later found out that at night, basically, alligators are in the water because they eat then. So we were at the spot the ranger wanted us to be and we used our flashlights to flash the alligator eyes and realized how many were out there. It was like a runway of lights. We also listened to the crunching sounds they were making eating whatever they had caught. It was amazing! Then we were told the story of a drunk guy who went swimming at night and didn't live to tell about it.

If you go down to the Everglades, be sure to go on the Shark Valley Tram tours. You will have a wealth of information on alligators and wildlife. Lots of alligators to see along the trail which by the way, one can bike it. Depending upon the time of year, you will see alligators sunning themselves on the trail and along the water where you buy the tickets. Just keep your distance. The half way mark is the Observation Tower where you look down onto all the alligators in that area - wow!

Another thing that happened to us was in or near Big Cypress Swamp. The area was part of an Native American reservation or attraction. So we went to walk on the trail there. We went in April which is prime alligator mating time, and had just about reached the area to go over the bridge and onto the trail. It was then that we heard a male alligator and commotion. He was chasing a female just in front of the bridge. He stopped in front of the bridge and settled down. So people were on the bridge wanting to get off and we wanted to start our adventure. Someone went to get one of the Native Americans who used a big stick to get the male moving off into the water. Then we were thinking about if we would get off the trail without any problems.

Just be aware of any wildlife and keep your distance

[Ohio RailGirl]

I'm curious to know the "horrible method" the trapper used to kill the gator.

The customary method is a single gunshot from a small caliber firearm to the brain, bringing instant death. It is the most humane way to kill a gator.

This gator apparently was subdued prior to being killed as is evidenced by the tape holding his mouth closed.

Trappers are paid by being able to sell the hides and meat of the gators they remove. This keeps gator tail on the menus of the local seafood houses and gator hide coverings on brief cases, shoes and boots.

The gator in the photo could not have been taken unless it met the State's legal definition as a nuisance.

In addition to letting trappers harvest nuisance gators, the state allows qualified individuals to hunt gators in the wild that are not considered nuisances. I think the bag limit is two per person.

This gator was found curled around bushes in front yard of house, trapper hit it with a bang stick first, then mouth taped, measured etc. afterwards. Since this gator was over 4 ft long trapper said it could not be relocated.

[buggyone]

This gator was found curled around bushes in front yard of house, trapper hit it with a bang stick first, then mouth taped, measured etc. afterwards. Since this gator was over 4 ft long trapper said it could not be relocated.

I do not know how this alligator was killed but I did check ways that "trappers" kill gators.

"Check your local regs. Here in FL you cannot use a baited hook.
Sneak up at night with a light shining in it's eyes, then snag it with a treble hook and heavy fishing rod, spear one with a spear gun or cross bow, or the good old harpoon.
I use a .357 powerhead, no guns allowed in FL."

No reason that a 4 foot alligator could not have been subdued with no injury and taken to a state park such as Silver Springs for release.

[rosygail]

I saw my first gator two days ago in the swampy area in the new construction at the end of Pineallas. He was a baby about 2 feet long. He was sunning himself on the road!

[Carl in Tampa]

This gator was found curled around bushes in front yard of house, trapper hit it with a bang stick first, then mouth taped, measured etc. afterwards. Since this gator was over 4 ft long trapper said it could not be relocated.

I take it that the other poster regarded the use of a bang stick as the "horrible method" by which the gator was killed.

Regarding relocation, I believe you have it backward. Gators under four feet are not generally considered eligible for relocation. See the question and answer section of Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/nuisance/)

Large gators can be and are relocated legally in Florida. Check out the reality show Gator Boys on The Animal Planet channel. Here is a film clip where they relocate a six footer. Gator Boys: Animal Planet (http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/gator-boys)

:ho:

[Gerald]

yes there are gators in almost every pond and lake here. I have seen them all over the golf courses in ponds. In Lake Sumter, and even going for walks on the golf courses in back of houses. As for hitting the post, never heard that before. I would be surprised if it actually works. There are also lots of other wild life around, birds turtles snakes and many other things that live in Florida. Never the less, I nor do I know of anyone else that has any problems with any of the animals. Leave them alone and they leave us alone.

[Carl in Tampa]

I do not know how this alligator was killed but I did check ways that "trappers" kill gators.

"Check your local regs. Here in FL you cannot use a baited hook.
Sneak up at night with a light shining in it's eyes, then snag it with a treble hook and heavy fishing rod, spear one with a spear gun or cross bow, or the good old harpoon.
I use a .357 powerhead, no guns allowed in FL."

No reason that a 4 foot alligator could not have been subdued with no injury and taken to a state park such as Silver Springs for release.

1. A "powerhead" or "bang stick" essentially is a method of firing a single firearms cartridge by striking the stick against the target. It has the same effect as a gun but it requires the user to be quite close. The target on the alligator is the same spot as would be the case with a firearm. See Power Head Bang Stick (http://www.waternsports.com/catalog/p761PowerHeadBangStick.htm)

2. The gator in the photo was clearly longer than four feet. Generally, an alligator may be deemed a nuisance if it is at least four feet in length and the caller believes it poses a threat to people, pets or property. See Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/nuisance/) Alligators under four feet long are more or less exempt from relocation. (Seems strange doesn't it?)

3. If the gator were to be relocated rather than killed who would have paid for it? Trappers are paid by the sale of the gator hide and meat. It is unlikely that you will find a trapper who would donate his time and truck fuel to simply relocate nuisance gators for free.

:smiley:

[TOMCAT]

I know I am an old softy when it comes to animals or reptiles. I don't think a trapper might not relocate an alligator, but maybe the Dept. of Environmental Conservation can help in that matter. That is where the government might be handy. Just a thought.

[Carl in Tampa]

I know I am an old softy when it comes to animals or reptiles. I don't think a trapper might not relocate an alligator, but maybe the Dept. of Environmental Conservation can help in that matter. That is where the government might be handy. Just a thought.

The Dept. of Environmental Protection concerns itself with air and water pollution, not animals. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission oversees alligators, and issues the permits for trappers and hunters to harvest them.

However, I understand your point.

But the fact is that it is dangerous to allow alligators to coexist in close proximity to humans. At the least someone will lose a pet; at the worst someone will lose a child.

Using tax money to relocate nuisance alligators, rather than letting trappers harvest them in payment for their services would be very expensive. In 2011, the statewide nuisance alligator program received 14,275 nuisance alligator complaints resulting in the removal of 6,995 nuisance alligators. That's a lot of employment hours and fuel costs that taxpayers didn't have to pay for.

We have an overabundance of alligators in Florida.

[quirky3]

We have an overabundance of alligators in Florida.

Or, we have an overabundance of people in some parts of Florida!

[Carl in Tampa]

Or, we have an overabundance of people in some parts of Florida!

Arguably, the alligators were here first. :laugh:

[TOMCAT]

The Dept. of Environmental Protection concerns itself with air and water pollution, not animals. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission oversees alligators, and issues the permits for trappers and hunters to harvest them.

However, I understand your point.

But the fact is that it is dangerous to allow alligators to coexist in close proximity to humans. At the least someone will lose a pet; at the worst someone will lose a child.

Using tax money to relocate nuisance alligators, rather than letting trappers harvest them in payment for their services would be very expensive. In 2011, the statewide nuisance alligator program received 14,275 nuisance alligator complaints resulting in the removal of 6,995 nuisance alligators. That's a lot of employment hours and fuel costs that taxpayers didn't have to pay for.

We have an overabundance of alligators in Florida.

I live in Long Island and our taxes are very high and I can see why. There is no problem with alligators, but there are other issues in Long Island that has to be dealt with. :shrug:

[TOMCAT]

I live in Long Island and our taxes are very high and I can see why. There is no problem with alligators, but there are other issues in Long Island that has to be dealt with. :shrug:

When there is trouble with a raccoon or any other kind of animal, the government will usually tell you to call a trapper, unless the animal looks rabid.