[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Windguy

I took the bus tour at KSC. We saw a 10’ (?) fence with an outward-leaning short fence on top around one of the launch sites. The bus driver said it was to keep out the alligators. Even a 10’ high fence without the extra bit on top was not good enough.

Forget about retaining walls or fences to keep them out, but worry about things that are much more likely to kill you such as riding in a cart without a helmet.

Don't you mean a motor cycle? I've never seen anyone wear a helmet in a golf cart. Seat belts, yes but not a helmet.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by FFlank

My wife and I just finished a lifestyle preview visit, and are planning on returning in a few months for a longer stay. I know that gators are a fact of life in TV, but we're not anxious to find one on our doorstep when going out to get the morning paper . When it comes time to pick a home location, is there a part of TV where a close encounter is less likely?

Up at the top of the hill at the Orange Blossom water tower. And if I were you, I would rent for 6 months because there is a possibility of a recession and home prices could come down. And buy nothing south of Sumter Lake.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

You would be better off worrying about real risks like fumes from the turnpike or electro magnetic fields from power lines than gators. Your risk of being struck by lightning is far greater than the risk of a gator attack.

I have been hit by lightning twice in my life. But, then I have NOT lived a sheltered life.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by FFlank

Thanks, everyone for your thoughts so far. I know that issues are unlikely to arise, but I thought that maybe areas further north (where folks have been living for several years) might be less likely spots for alligators. Maybe this theory doesn't pan out, but I appreciate everyone's thoughts on the issue

The water tower area in Orange Blossom.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by sowilts

We live on a retention pond at Linden. Currently two, male and female. They don’t come up to the house and will move from place to place. Every pond may have one. They are everywhere and like everyone said do not take dogs close to the ponds which people do. Don’t feed them. Have not seen any cats. There are more dangers out there. Snakes, Owls, cinch bugs, bad drivers. They are all over Florida. Don’t worry be attentive in your surroundings.

Bad drivers, for sure in TV Land.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by ehendersonjr

Alligators can be found anywhere there is water in Florida. That includes lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps and man-made ponds. In fact, alligators infest all 67 Florida counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Basic tips to abide by while living among alligators and crocodiles in Florida include: never feed a gator, keep your distance if you see one, swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and keep pets on a leash away from the water. Will one show up on your doorstep? Probably not, as gators tend to fear us as much as we fear them. At some point though, you’ll be near water in TV. Keep your eyes open and pay attention. Otherwise, welcome to The Villages!

Gators are relatively inactive during the day. Completely different at night - they become MORE active predators. Do NOT be around a swamp or pond at NIGHT !!!!!!!!!!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by ehendersonjr

Alligators can be found anywhere there is water in Florida. That includes lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps and man-made ponds. In fact, alligators infest all 67 Florida counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Basic tips to abide by while living among alligators and crocodiles in Florida include: never feed a gator, keep your distance if you see one, swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and keep pets on a leash away from the water. Will one show up on your doorstep? Probably not, as gators tend to fear us as much as we fear them. At some point though, you’ll be near water in TV. Keep your eyes open and pay attention. Otherwise, welcome to The Villages!

Gators do NOT fear humans. They are prehistoric with TINY, tiny brains. They FEAR NOTHING! Just like sharks have no fear of man.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jarodrig

Meet Winston, our pond’s resident gator…. We enjoy seeing him whenever he desires to pay a visit.

Photo taken from our bedroom window ….

If he is over 4 ft he should be destroyed. Failure to do so will end up like that lady recently being killed. They are cute right up until the time they charge you, bite you, and drown you. Send a picture of cute Winston to the relatives of that poor, very DEAD woman. I am sure they would REALLY appreciate that.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I have been hit by lightning twice in my life.

That explains it!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I agree. Still I like to look around me when I get the morning paper.

Copy of an old photo:

I suppose that is how cute Winston cuddles up to his neighbors. Isn't that CUTE?

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

You would be better off worrying about real risks like fumes from the turnpike or electro magnetic fields from power lines than gators. Your risk of being struck by lightning is far greater than the risk of a gator attack.

Three myths. Alligators, turnpike, and power lines. No problem with any of them.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by FFlank

Thanks to everyone who responded. I know that it’s a typical newbie question but it’s great to get everyone’s thoughts on the subject

Not a bad question., That's why I suggested to rent for about 6 months and check the financial channels to see what the predictions for a recession or downturn are.
....as you can see there are 2 schools of thought about GATORS. One is that they are cute pets that you can look at from a distance. The other school of thought IS a little darker and I think of it this way if Man could control lightning strikes, they would do so. Man can control alligators over 4 ft in densely populated areas like The Village Land. So I would advise that they DO control them. The local lady here is VERY DEAD because of a too BIG alligator. What is a human life worth compared with a "CUTE" Winston human killing machine.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Glorantha

We live in the southern part of TV and love seeing all the wildlife, especially alligators. I have small dogs and walk them multiple times daily on the trails along the retention ponds. I’ve become very adroit at scanning the bodies of water to spot any alligators that may be present. Our dogs are leashed and I don’t let them walk to the waters edge. We have seen coyotes and I do keep them away from the large family of turkeys that frequent our trails.

Not sure where the OP lives but deer are the most dangerous animals in the USA. Alligators are #9, well below livestock, dogs and bees/wasps/hornets.
Top 10 Deadliest Animals in America - AZ Animals

That list sort of bends the truth. Would you rather have a face-to-face encounter with a deer or a shark? Deer do not attack the automobile. It attacks them and there is an accident. A shark can attack a human but encounters are rare because sharks are rare. At least compared to deer. And there are only black bears in Florida, not Grizzlies. Blacks are nocturnal and normally NOT aggressive. I believe that about spiders .....again because of numbers. But, I would put large alligators up high on MY list of dangerous Florida critters.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

I live on a natural pond in Marsh Bend that connects to Hogeye Sink. My lanai is 25' to the edge of the water.
We have a resident alligator about 5' long and during mating season there are 3-4. To be honest I have a hard time sneaking close enough to get a snaphot with my cell phone before they scatter. Bottom line is NO they are not a problem.

Really????/Tell that to that very DEAD lady's relatives.
........And try sneaking up on a 5 ft alligator at night at about 2 AM to get a picture.......THEN AND ONLY THEN will you see how cute and cuddly they are - they will cuddle a person all the way down to the bottom of the lake.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

So......was that poor unfortunate woman who was recently killed by a gator an appetizer?

Well, I DO agree with you on this subject!