[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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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?

[TOMCAT]

Originally Posted by 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?

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) 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.