[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Byte1

The Villages is no place for an alligator. I don't care how they get rid of them, move or kill. They are more dangerous than coyotes, snakes, etc. If you want to live near wildlife, move near a zoo. I've heard of way too many close calls where dogs get too close or people attempting to photograph alligators get too close and put themselves in danger. An alligator can move at something like 35mph for short distances....faster than a golf cart. Look, I love animals but humans can be real stupid and a danger to themselves. There has been instances here in The Villages where folks have opened their front door and found a big alligator blocking their their entrance, or wildlife breaking through their bird cages after their pets. There should not be dangerous wildlife running free in The Villages, period. When villagers are not even smart enough to navigate the roundabouts, you can't expect them to be smart enough to avoid confrontations with alligators.

"Shirley" you can't be serious...

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Happydaz

Yes I saw him last week. Unfortunately, publicity is not favorable for alligators. Anonymity is better.

They are certainly NOT an endangered specie, but they can endanger small CHILDREN and dogs. Several years ago in Venice, a small girl was attacked dragged under and KILLED at a small retention pond, which we have plenty of here in TV Land. If you desire to see alligators in REAL nature drive to Arcadia, Fl. and rent a canoe and paddle down the Peace River. You will see lots of REAL wildlife.........and they have NO dumb, cutsie, names ! Don't drop your hand over the side.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

"Shirley" you can't be serious...

Finally, something I can AGREE on. I was near Okeechobee when a friend went to take a picture of an 8 footer........it charged and the next thing you know there were 3 of us on top of the hood of his car. Alligators are prehistoric and will bite a person right after it (the baby alligator) cracks through their egg. The only good alligator is protein on a plate !

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Byte1

The Villages is no place for an alligator. I don't care how they get rid of them, move or kill. They are more dangerous than coyotes, snakes, etc. If you want to live near wildlife, move near a zoo. I've heard of way too many close calls where dogs get too close or people attempting to photograph alligators get too close and put themselves in danger. An alligator can move at something like 35mph for short distances....faster than a golf cart. Look, I love animals but humans can be real stupid and a danger to themselves. There has been instances here in The Villages where folks have opened their front door and found a big alligator blocking their their entrance, or wildlife breaking through their bird cages after their pets. There should not be dangerous wildlife running free in The Villages, period. When villagers are not even smart enough to navigate the roundabouts, you can't expect them to be smart enough to avoid confrontations with alligators.

Survival of the fittest. Conflict between residents and wildlife is extremely rare, but when it happens it is usually when someone is careless. Karma.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

There is a massive gator that hangs out at the pond near hole #6 at Mangrove executive course. Easily over 10' in length, and fat.

Just one MORE great reason for NEVER going golfing.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

They are certainly NOT an endangered specie, but they can endanger small CHILDREN and dogs. Several years ago in Venice, a small girl was attacked dragged under and KILLED at a small retention pond, which we have plenty of here in TV Land. If you desire to see alligators in REAL nature drive to Arcadia, Fl. and rent a canoe and paddle down the Peace River. You will see lots of REAL wildlife.........and they have NO dumb, cutsie, names ! Don't drop your hand over the side.

Cutsie names you say?

sweetie – The Florida Key Lime Pie Company

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Some subdivisions around Florida will remove them in ponds near homes when they get a certain size, do they do that in TV??

They (meaning the state) will if requested.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

Yes, they show up again at RJ Gators.

They get stored as protein in the cells of TV Land residents.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Regorp

Being from New England, seeing a gator in the wild is an absolute thrill. The one in Fenney I call Wally and he always greets me during my walk on Fenney trail. Leave them alone, they leave you alone. Nature rocks!!

I hate to bust bubbles, but gators are very INACTIVE during the day, except during their mating season. People do NOT WANT to be walking close to them at night or twilight, especially NOT with a dog. They seem like friendly logs during the day, but they turn into man-eating TIGERS at night. Don't be fooled, a lot of Floridians have come in 2nd place after a "close encounter" with a Gator (and lost an arm).

[Normal]

I love gators, they make great belts and boots! Plus yum, they are delicious.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Wilson02852

It'll be fine until publicity gets out and the OPs start feeding it. Then it will be relocated (shoe factrory).

Really, you should NOT even feed ANY wild animals. People feed bread to ducks and geese.......not a good idea.......they can choke on the bread. If you must, go to a feed or hardware store and get cracked corn or a bag of true birdseed.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Really, you should NOT even feed ANY wild animals. People feed bread to ducks and geese.......not a good idea.......they can choke on the bread. If you must, go to a feed or hardware store and get cracked corn or a bag of true birdseed.

Still illegal to feed store bought food. You are giving very poor advice!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I hate to bust bubbles, but gators are very INACTIVE during the day, except during their mating season. People do NOT WANT to be walking close to them at night or twilight, especially NOT with a dog. They seem like friendly logs during the day, but they turn into man-eating TIGERS at night. Don't be fooled, a lot of Floridians have come in 2nd place after a "close encounter" with a Gator (and lost an arm).

"A lot"?

The state of FL, averages 6-8 (depending on the source) alligator bites (bites, not fatalities)/year...

"From 1948 to 2021, 26 attacks in Florida have resulted in death."

Quite rare for a state with over 22 MILLION people...

In contrast, "Florida averages seven fatalities per year due to lightning, with many more injuries, and often leads the nation in lightning deaths."

[Tvflguy]

Played Okeechobee this afternoon. Over the berm on the 6th green was this big boy. At least 10’ and very chubby. He was just chillin’.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Played Okeechobee this afternoon. Over the berm on the 6th green was this big boy. At least 10’ and very chubby. He was just chillin’.

I see your ball down in the water... Did you get it?