[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

If the gator is really 12'-call animal control--its extremely dangerous

Originally Posted by rubicon

Who would you rather be hit by Sally Field or the Rock ? Which one gives you a better opportunity to escape further harm?

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Are you serious? A six foot gator can give you a nasty bite. A twelve foot gator can take off your leg and kill you.

While it's true, gators are not usually aggressive, they are sometimes unpredictable and attack humans for no apparent reason. Generally when they get to be more than 8 feet on golf courses they are removed.

Kill them all, they don't add anything to the Villages.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

Again, people, the gators were here long before we were. They're not dangerous unless people go stupid and start messing around with them. Leave the gators alone and don't go whining to FWC every time you see a gator and think it is dangerous. The odds of getting attacked by an alligator is 1 in 24,000,000; the odds of getting bit by a poisonous snake is 1 in 37,500; I can't recall the last time I saw a post regarding poisonous snakes.

Exactly. Only when they lose their fear of humans is mainly caused by the humans doing something stupid despite all the warnings. Actually applies to interacting with any animal wild or domesticated.

[Happinow]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

If the gator is really 12'-call animal control--its extremely dangerous

OMG! I was just telling my husband that I saw a huge gator in the pond across from Bonifay this morning...the same pond you are talking about. Then I looked on TOTV and here was the post. That gator was huge and looked very dark in color. I didn't see anything in his mouth as I was driving and couldn't get a good look. 🐊🐊🐊🐊

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Are you serious? A six foot gator can give you a nasty bite. A twelve foot gator can take off your leg and kill you.

While it's true, gators are not usually aggressive, they are sometimes unpredictable and attack humans for no apparent reason. Generally when they get to be more than 8 feet on golf courses they are removed.

Although the ambiance of The Villages may seem bucolic, the fact is that this is a densely populated area. I doubt that any of those who assert that it's fine that alligators wander the area of The Villages would have a similar attitude if the alligator was meandering through a suburb of Cleveland, Newark, or wherever they left to relocate to Florida.

Although it is against Florida law, many people feed alligators and enjoy having them around. This leads to having them lose their fear of humans. When you encounter an alligator there is no way for you to know if that particular alligator has lost his fear and may be aggressive.

Prudence suggests that all contact with alligators be avoided, and most certainly the larger the alligator, the greater its capability for doing great injury. Even a small alligator will be happy to attack and kill your pets, even in your presence.

The fact is that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission considers alligators of four feet and smaller to be relatively benign, and rarely considers them to be a nuisance, a twelve foot long alligator did not grow that large in the immediate area without ever being spotted, but migrated here from outside the area, probably in search of a food supply.

If he is hungry, he doesn't need to be around humans.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

; the odds of getting bit by a poisonous snake is 1 in 37,500; I can't recall the last time I saw a post regarding poisonous snakes.

Actually the odds of being bitten by a poisonous snake is zero, absolutely zero.

[jimmemac]

I have no problem with a gator being taken care of if in fact he or she has truly become a problem and done something to cause us harm. On the other hand to just kill him for his size or what he might do is just simply wrong! To those of you thinking or shouting kill him - shame on you, maybe we should have you incarcerated because you have killing on your mind and you might do something. Think about it, how stupid would that be?

[DonH57]

Anybody remember the gator removed and terminated because he ate the duck? I believe it was in the pond behind Hacienda? Animal control was called in since it ate other wildlife displaying loss of fear of humans? Anyway I suspect the duck had it coming!

[LI SNOWBIRD]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

I saw him and I think it was Fred. Is Fred missing? Anyone heard from him?

Saw Fred yesterday--or it might be Fred Jr.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by DonH57

Anybody remember the gator removed and terminated because he ate the duck? I believe it was in the pond behind Hacienda? Animal control was called in since it ate other wildlife displaying loss of fear of humans? Anyway I suspect the duck had it coming!

It's call nature, I would much rather the gator eat a duck than to take a bite out of my leg. Yes, the gators around here have probably lost their fear of humans but that doesn't mean they are going to attack you unless provoked.

[pauld315]

Originally Posted by blueash

Actually the odds of being bitten by a poisonous snake is zero, absolutely zero.

Why is that? I know of many people in NC that have been bitten by copperheads. Last I knew, the copperhead is a poisonous snake.They are indigenous to the area and again, will leave you alone unless provoked. Most people who get bit step on them accidentally or think they can move them by themselves and aren't aware of what they are messing with.

[justjim]

Snakes are here. A few years ago a golfer in the foursome just in front of ours was bitten by a pigmy rattler and spent an uncomfortable night in Leesburg hospital. Reaching your hand into the weeds for a golf ball isn't the smartest thing to do. Just leave the Gators alone just like you would a sleeping dog.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by jimmemac

Probably a bird

Or a dog.

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by pauld315

Why is that? I know of many people in NC that have been bitten by copperheads. Last I knew, the copperhead is a poisonous snake.They are indigenous to the area and again, will leave you alone unless provoked. Most people who get bit step on them accidentally or think they can move them by themselves and aren't aware of what they are messing with.

When we lived in Melbourne, FL our cat had to be put down after it was bitten by a poisonous snake.

[EPutnam1863]

Anyone remember that 'gator nabbing and drowning a two-yr old toddler somewhere in Disney World?

[EPutnam1863]

Originally Posted by blueash

Actually the odds of being bitten by a poisonous snake is zero, absolutely zero.

Wish I could be optimistic as you are. Unfortunately one cat of ours had to be put down after it was bitten by a poisonous snake.

At another time we found a coral snake in our coat closet; it was crawling up through one sleeve of the coat. Our gardener kindly removed it for us but, needless to say, thereafter I was afraid of that coat closet.