[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver.

Your hesitation is understandable. A quick process of the situation would include the thought that if this person is unstable enough to approach an alligator, who knows what else he is capable of doing. The natural inclination is to go about your business and hope for the best.

My quickness to barge into these types of things is an embarrassment to my family and some friends. However, I make no apologies for attempting to right wrongs when I see them. I am also willing to meet, head on, whatever consequences there may be. Not everybody, thankfully, is wired like me.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

TH, when I saw the man and child they were too far away from me to talk to them without shouting, loudly. I considered calling 911 but by the time they responded it would be a done deal. If I could do it all over again, I would call 911 with the hope that if they survived he would be ticketed for tresspassing since they had to walk across several people's properties to get the the gator. Fortunately nothing serious happened or we would have heard. I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver. Maybe I need to take some alligator wrestling classes.

Well, I'm proud of you for posting about it. It's hard to know what to do on the spur of the moment. However, you've given all of us a chance to consider what might be done in a similar circumstance. Turns out, not much, other than calling 911. Thanks for sharing the circumstance for thoughtful consideration.

[Russ_Boston]

Just want to clear up one misconception:

Yes, alligators can run very fast but only for very, very short distances. Basically if you are 8-10 feet away and have room to move you are not going to be in danger. Mythbusters did a segment on it and were testing if the famous zigzag running would help. What they found is that a gator is not a marathon runner. They have a very fast initial burst but after that first gasp they stop charging. Not only did the zigzag work but even just backing up fast would do the trick. They built an elaborate zigzag robot and didn't even need it.

But having said that I'm still not getting in their way!

[biker]

According to information on the internet, top speed for gators, on land, is 10mph. Their ambush speed, coming out of the water, is probably faster.

Russ, good idea

[The Great Fumar]

COME ON GUYS!!!!
That gator at Palmer is only 3 1/2 ft long max...He is a practically a pet, people bring their guests there to see him.......They have signs that say "PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON THE ALLIGATOR " He is a baby and you can't get close to him.........
For your info, when gators get to 5 ft. in length they are trapped and removed ......When we moved here we were told that they were taken to silver springs in Ocala and put with the other gators on display....We have sense been told that this is not true , They are disposed of .......
I have been hoping that some of the doggies would be trapped and taken to Ocala and turned loose with the other doggies.......So far, it has fallen on deaf ears...........

WE DO OUR PART ..fumar

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by The Great Fumar

COME ON GUYS!!!!
That gator at Palmer is only 3 1/2 ft long max...He is a practically a pet, people bring their guests there to see him.......They have signs that say "PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON THE ALLIGATOR " He is a baby and you can't get close to him.........
For your info, when gators get to 5 ft. in length they are trapped and removed ......When we moved here we were told that they were taken to silver springs in Ocala and put with the other gators on display....We have sense been told that this is not true , They are disposed of .......
I have been hoping that some of the doggies would be trapped and taken to Ocala and turned loose with the other doggies.......So far, it has fallen on deaf ears...........

WE DO OUR PART ..fumar

Fumar, are you off your meds AGAIN?

[Russ_Boston]

Fumar may be joking but I have a pic of a gator in the pond next to #2 hole at Cane on Bailey trail that is at least 8 feet long if he/she? is an inch. Maybe that's why there's an inordinate number of lost doggy reports in Sunset Pointe?

[GatbTester]

There is a reason all the ponds have fences.........just be smart enough to obey them! PERIOD!!We can think, animals only respond.

[redwitch]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

TH, when I saw the man and child they were too far away from me to talk to them without shouting, loudly. I considered calling 911 but by the time they responded it would be a done deal. If I could do it all over again, I would call 911 with the hope that if they survived he would be ticketed for tresspassing since they had to walk across several people's properties to get the the gator. Fortunately nothing serious happened or we would have heard. I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver. Maybe I need to take some alligator wrestling classes.

You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! Like TH, I'm one of those idiots who jumps in and thinks of repercussions later. Heck, I once chased a thief through one of the worst projects in New Orleans (even the cops don't go in there). You reasoned that (1) you were too far away to safely warn the dolt; (2) you didn't want to risk startling the gator by shouting; and (3) 911 response would come too late. That was some pretty quick thinking and absolutely right.

Not only that, you had the courage to post it here with the risk that you would be condemned for not jumping over the fence and "rescuing" the child. More importantly, you posted a great reminder about the dangers of climbing over the fence to pet the wild critters. So, rather than being ashamed of you, this witch is very proud of you! You did a good thing with this thread.

Oh, and, Fumar, since they're "pets," you gonna take one home with you the next time you go by the pond? I think it would definitely keep the dogs off your lawn.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Just want to clear up one misconception:

Yes, alligators can run very fast but only for very, very short distances. Basically if you are 8-10 feet away and have room to move you are not going to be in danger. Mythbusters did a segment on it and were testing if the famous zigzag running would help. What they found is that a gator is not a marathon runner. They have a very fast initial burst but after that first gasp they stop charging. Not only did the zigzag work but even just backing up fast would do the trick. They built an elaborate zigzag robot and didn't even need it.

But having said that I'm still not getting in their way!

Maybe Florida gators are different. We were driving east on 466 one day, when a gator came across the road from Tierra del Sol at what looked to me to be a very high rate of speed (you know how busy 466 is) and we watched him all the way to Sumter Lake (or whatever it's called). He never slowed down and that was definitely more than 10-15 feet. He did, however, "fly" in a straight line. I remarked to my hubby when it happened, "Wow, I didn't know they could run like that!" I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.

I can't imagine anyone being dense enough to go over a fence "to get a closer look", mess with them, or whatever. Maybe the gator realized he didn't have any brains and so he wouldn't make a good meal. Seriously, I don't think he realizes just how lucky he and the child are. I doubt he would agree if he were told.

[mrdills]

I just came back from a trip to the Everglades National Park last week and what a nice trip, if you haven't got the chance to go I would highly suggest going. We learned alot about the alligators and took a 15 mile tram ride through the Everglades that lasted about 2 1/1 hrs. We learned that the alligators don't like humans because no one feeds them and they just mind there own business. If you are caught feeding them its a hefty fine. One of the things we learned about Alligators they will go up to 35 MPH. With all the talk of zig and zag running from a Alligators don't believe it, the best way to get away from them is just run as fast as you can because that can't run for long periods of time. I can't tell you how many we saw but it was alot, and most of the time we were only about 15-20 feet away. Its so unbelievable to watch the Alligators in there natural habitat, they are more scared of us then we are of them. Getting back to the story of the ones in the Villages you just don't know if anyone has feed them so just be careful before getting to close.

[mulligan]

mrdills-did any of your tourguides mention the pythons that seem to be invading south florida? I read the naples paper frequently, and it seems they are mentioned almost every day.

[Pat_RI]

I heard they are going to have an open season on pythons due to the amount of them. They have no natural enemies in FL.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Pat_RI

I heard they are going to have an open season on pythons due to the amount of them. They have no natural enemies in FL.

An unknown number also died during the severe cold weather.