[BobnBev]

I was recently feeding the turtles and some lady told me it was against the law.
She said spotters come and give you a ticket or a fine.

I see the signs that say don't feed the alligators, and no fishing.

Was she mis-informed or what?

[ilovetv]

Let the wildlife be wildlife.

And nobody should be setting an example for kids to feed wildlife and to lean over the rope fencing there on the boardwalk. Gators can jump as high as their length minus one foot, and we saw one jump up toward gawkers with little toddlers there the other day. Thank goodness grandpa had the sense to keep the kids back, because their dad surely didn't seemed fazed.

One of these days an alligator is going to jump up and snatch somebody's hand or arm, or pull the adult-size fool or unknowing child into the water to drown them for later consumption.

It's not a petting zoo there.

[billethkid]

the buffalo are gone because of folks tampering with the wild life here in TV.

DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS!!!!!!!!!!!

btk

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

I was recently feeding the turtles and some lady told me it was against the law.
She said spotters come and give you a ticket or a fine.

I see the signs that say don't feed the alligators, and no fishing.

Was she mis-informed or what?

I've never heard that before. It is amazing to watch those turtles come in to be fed. We feed them all the time and we do it with my 4 year old granddaughter when she's with us. We also feed the ducks at the ponds and other birds.

If they remove the animals that people tamper with, please come to my house and feed the squirrels. I'll pay you.

[DonH57]

I would think feeding the turtles may attract the alligators depending on how many people are on the dock.

[eremite06]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

Let the wildlife be wildlife.

And nobody should be setting an example for kids to feed wildlife and to lean over the rope fencing there on the boardwalk. Gators can jump as high as their length minus one foot, and we saw one jump up toward gawkers with little toddlers there the other day. Thank goodness grandpa had the sense to keep the kids back, because their dad surely didn't seemed fazed.

One of these days an alligator is going to jump up and snatch somebody's hand or arm, or pull the adult-size fool or unknowing child into the water to drown them for later consumption.

It's not a petting zoo there.

[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

Let the wildlife be wildlife.

And nobody should be setting an example for kids to feed wildlife and to lean over the rope fencing there on the boardwalk. Gators can jump as high as their length minus one foot, and we saw one jump up toward gawkers with little toddlers there the other day. Thank goodness grandpa had the sense to keep the kids back, because their dad surely didn't seemed fazed.

One of these days an alligator is going to jump up and snatch somebody's hand or arm, or pull the adult-size fool or unknowing child into the water to drown them for later consumption.

It's not a petting zoo there.

ilovetv, i just love you for saying what I've been saying for a long time.
Don't feed the wildlife. I cannot stand to watch people feeding the gators and turtles knowing that they are signing their death warrants. They get too friendly and familiar with people and the're taken out and killed.

This is a minor example but I thought it would be nice to feed the birds, WRONG, it attracted a hawk who proceeded to eat the song birds as well as the slow but friendly mourning doves right in front of me. So sad...

My neighbor got head butted by a Buffalo; he was feeding it a carrot and leaning over the railing when the critter raised his head and Bam, no more Buffalo.

We need to learn to coexist with the abundant wildlife that surround us.
They are not here for our amusement.

[vorage]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

I was recently feeding the turtles and some lady told me it was against the law.
She said spotters come and give you a ticket or a fine.

I see the signs that say don't feed the alligators, and no fishing.

Was she mis-informed or what?

The best practice concerning any of Florida's wildlife is to enjoy viewing them, but let them find their food naturally.

[Uptown Girl]

Originally Posted by vorage

The best practice concerning any of Florida's wildlife is to enjoy viewing them, but let them find their food naturally.

Absolutely.

[rubicon]

I am glad Mrs. Rubicon doesn't visit TOTV because after reading this thread she would probably stop feeding me and then I would have to go to all those restaurants that villagers love to hate.

[blueash]

To answer the OP there is no regulation that I can find that regulates or prohibits the feeding of Florida softshell turtles.

The feeding of alligators is of course prohibited.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by vorage

The best practice concerning any of Florida's wildlife is to enjoy viewing them, but let them find their food naturally.

There are millions of Americans who disagree with your view. They have bird feeders and bird houses in their yards to attract birds, and particular plantings, such as butterfly bushes, to attract and promote the breeding of butterflies. Other plants and bushes attract honey bees and hummingbirds.

You might also be surprised to learn that commercially produced bat houses, for the attraction of bats, are available. And of course the specialized purple martin houses are great for attracting that very special bird.

Like many of my neighbors I have had bird feeders and bird houses in my yard for over 30 years. In that time only one mourning dove was lost to a predator -- a hawk. The sighting of the hawk in my yard was rare because the tree pattern works against a swooping dive on prey.

I also hang suet blocks and successfully attract woodpeckers.

I built and hung a large bird house designed to attract screech owls after hearing one calling in my back yard at night. He did not nest in it but later it became the home of a feral honey bee hive. The bees were there for years.

Of course the bird feed that fell to the ground attracted squirrels. No problem; I enjoy watching their antics too. The bird feeders themselves are squirrel resistant.

Having song birds in my back yard in the evenings contributes to my contentment and peace of mind.

[duffysmom]

I belive turtles are what the gators eat among other things of course.

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

I belive turtles are what the gators eat among other things of course.

If the gators in the lake at Sumter Landing are eating turtles, there must be 500 zillion turtles in that lake. When you throw one crumb in the waters, you can see turtles coming from across the lake. There are hundreds and hundreds that come to be fed. You could walk across the water on the turtles backs. It is amazing to watch the turtles in that manmade lake.

[jdsl1998]

I never really thought about people feeding the turtles. We see people doing it when we walk the boardwalk. I can understand why people think it is ok. I can now understand why it is not ok. But until there is a sign asking folks not to feed them, when there is a don't feed the alligators sign, it will continue. I don't think folks are purposely disturbing nature. I TRUELY believe, it there is a sign in the future, most folks will abide by the rules.