Gators

Closed Thread
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 07-18-2019, 10:28 AM
rachellanham rachellanham is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 7
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Gators

Hey all! I just recently made the move to The Villages and I am finally getting used to this awesome lifestyle. Although I took annual vacations to Florida before I made the move, I never really though about the possibilities of seeing alligators in my backyard! I figured with all the golf course lakes/ ponds there would be a few babies here and there but dang, I have seen some big ones. I have a dachshund named Cooper and the alligators are definitely concerning for me. Has anyone had any problems with alligators? Do they pose a threat to dogs? I always keep Cooper on the leash but I have heard that alligators can run faster than humans! Any advice would be great.
Thank You
  #2  
Old 07-18-2019, 10:38 AM
John_W John_W is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6,390
Thanks: 2,172
Thanked 2,954 Times in 1,160 Posts
Default

If you let your dog roam, you may also make the news. A gator can run 30mph for a short distance, faster then you. So keep that in mind.

Man fights off alligator to save dog - YouTube

75-year-old Florida man fights off alligator, saves dog - YouTube



Actually I would never let me dog off a leash, several have been taken by coyotes and some were only a few feet away from the owner.

Coyote snatches Florida woman’s dog right in front of her in yard
  #3  
Old 07-18-2019, 11:18 AM
Pinball wizard's Avatar
Pinball wizard Pinball wizard is offline
Veteran member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 532
Thanks: 420
Thanked 320 Times in 139 Posts
Default

Use the dog parks
  #4  
Old 07-18-2019, 12:46 PM
Two Bills Two Bills is offline
Sage
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 5,617
Thanks: 1,667
Thanked 7,279 Times in 2,480 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rachellanham View Post
Hey all! I just recently made the move to The Villages and I am finally getting used to this awesome lifestyle. Although I took annual vacations to Florida before I made the move, I never really though about the possibilities of seeing alligators in my backyard! I figured with all the golf course lakes/ ponds there would be a few babies here and there but dang, I have seen some big ones. I have a dachshund named Cooper and the alligators are definitely concerning for me. Has anyone had any problems with alligators? Do they pose a threat to dogs? I always keep Cooper on the leash but I have heard that alligators can run faster than humans! Any advice would be great.
Thank You
Watch out, and be careful in the evenings by the postal stations.
Most gators pick up their post after dark.
  #5  
Old 07-19-2019, 09:31 PM
JerryLBell JerryLBell is offline
Veteran member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 727
Thanks: 0
Thanked 372 Times in 133 Posts
Default

You do have to watch your dogs and cats. Never walk them without a leash and don't leave them in a screened-in lanai. We have alligators here (and everywhere else in Florida along with the southeastern coast up to southern North Carolina and across the Gulf of Mexico to Texas) but we also have bobcats, panthers and coyotes. Heck we also have quite a few bald eagles and they have been known to make meals out of small pets.

The official dog parks are the safest place to let your dog run. Gators are not aggressive but can be fast over short distances (as in "20 to 30 yards"). However, they can't climb fences. The "unofficial" dog parks some folks use are not fenced in.

You're probably safe on most sidewalks as long as your dog is on a leash but even then you might want to steer clear of the many lakes, water retention ponds and water traps that are everywhere in The Villages, especially at dawn and dusk (favorite alligator feeding times). Any body of water in Florida large enough to fit an alligator will likely have an alligator in it at some time.

Remember, alligators were here first. They belong here. We don't. We're just lucky enough to be able to live around them. And they're really pretty cool in their own way.
  #6  
Old 07-19-2019, 10:17 PM
Velvet's Avatar
Velvet Velvet is offline
Sage
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 4,994
Thanks: 1,043
Thanked 3,950 Times in 1,706 Posts
Default

Before the gators there were dinosaurs, before them there were jelly fish, before them jungle forest, before that volcanoes... how far do we want to go back? I prefer to look forwards, myself.

Pets rely on us for their safety and we are in a sort of “semi-wilderness” here in Central Florida. You need to treat your pet as if you were going camping.
  #7  
Old 07-20-2019, 03:55 AM
SanFranDianne's Avatar
SanFranDianne SanFranDianne is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Village of Sanibel full-time since April 1, 2013
Posts: 133
Thanks: 7
Thanked 21 Times in 10 Posts
Default Gators CAN climb fences

Quote:
Originally Posted by JerryLBell View Post
You do have to watch your dogs and cats. Never walk them without a leash and don't leave them in a screened-in lanai. We have alligators here (and everywhere else in Florida along with the southeastern coast up to southern North Carolina and across the Gulf of Mexico to Texas) but we also have bobcats, panthers and coyotes. Heck we also have quite a few bald eagles and they have been known to make meals out of small pets.

The official dog parks are the safest place to let your dog run. Gators are not aggressive but can be fast over short distances (as in "20 to 30 yards"). However, they can't climb fences. The "unofficial" dog parks some folks use are not fenced in.

You're probably safe on most sidewalks as long as your dog is on a leash but even then you might want to steer clear of the many lakes, water retention ponds and water traps that are everywhere in The Villages, especially at dawn and dusk (favorite alligator feeding times). Any body of water in Florida large enough to fit an alligator will likely have an alligator in it at some time.

Remember, alligators were here first. They belong here. We don't. We're just lucky enough to be able to live around them. And they're really pretty cool in their own way.
There are a number of videos "out there" that show gators climbing fences. I remember one fence was at least 4-5 feet tall, and the gator got over it easily.

As for leaving pets on lanais, one guy from Community Watch told me that he has seen screens torn by wild critters like coyotes and bobcats who were trying to get through to pets.
  #8  
Old 07-20-2019, 03:59 AM
Two Bills Two Bills is offline
Sage
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 5,617
Thanks: 1,667
Thanked 7,279 Times in 2,480 Posts
Default

To be honest, I would be more worried about disturbing a Fire Ants nest. Now those critters really do bite.
Played golf with a partner who played too close to a nest, and within seconds they were on him. Painful!
  #9  
Old 07-20-2019, 12:54 PM
rachellanham rachellanham is offline
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 7
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for all the information!
  #10  
Old 07-20-2019, 01:44 PM
Blondesare Blondesare is offline
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 74
Thanks: 0
Thanked 25 Times in 9 Posts
Default

Welcome to Florida! Dachshunds are great little dogs. As with any dog or cat it is up to us to keep them safe and give them a long, loving life. Most of it is just common sense. Gators are extremely athletic and run faster, jump and climb much more than one can imagine. Keep any dog away from water, it's that just that easy. Don't leave animals out on lanais over night by themselves, that's easy. When it's hot like now leave your dog at home. Dogs can easily overheat and die before your eyes, most people don't know how to recognize over heating in dogs until it's too late. They will love you when you get home and be glad not to be stressed by the heat. If you wouldn't walk barefoot on the pavement, it's cruel to ask your dog to do it. If you truly love your dog, don't let them ride on your lap in the front seat of your car. You wouldn't do that with your grandkids as you know the air bags can kill them. What chance does your little, loving dog have? Dogs love us unconditionally, dumb or smart. They will live a long and healthy life if we are a smart, educated dog owner.
  #11  
Old 07-20-2019, 04:12 PM
Schaumburger's Avatar
Schaumburger Schaumburger is offline
Sage
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Schaumburg, IL - Chicago suburb - TV Wannabee
Posts: 4,257
Thanks: 1,004
Thanked 165 Times in 81 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Blondesare View Post
Welcome to Florida! Dachshunds are great little dogs. As with any dog or cat it is up to us to keep them safe and give them a long, loving life. Most of it is just common sense. Gators are extremely athletic and run faster, jump and climb much more than one can imagine. Keep any dog away from water, it's that just that easy. Don't leave animals out on lanais over night by themselves, that's easy. When it's hot like now leave your dog at home. Dogs can easily overheat and die before your eyes, most people don't know how to recognize over heating in dogs until it's too late. They will love you when you get home and be glad not to be stressed by the heat. If you wouldn't walk barefoot on the pavement, it's cruel to ask your dog to do it. If you truly love your dog, don't let them ride on your lap in the front seat of your car. You wouldn't do that with your grandkids as you know the air bags can kill them. What chance does your little, loving dog have? Dogs love us unconditionally, dumb or smart. They will live a long and healthy life if we are a smart, educated dog owner.
Great advice for pet owners moving to The Villages!
__________________
Born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa. Chicago 1979 to 1986. Northwest Suburbs of Chicago - Schaumburg since 1988.
  #12  
Old 07-21-2019, 07:50 AM
JerryLBell JerryLBell is offline
Veteran member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 727
Thanks: 0
Thanked 372 Times in 133 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SanFranDianne View Post
There are a number of videos "out there" that show gators climbing fences. I remember one fence was at least 4-5 feet tall, and the gator got over it easily.
I stand corrected!

Quote:
As for leaving pets on lanais, one guy from Community Watch told me that he has seen screens torn by wild critters like coyotes and bobcats who were trying to get through to pets.
I was trying to make that point but seem to not have made it clear. Thanks for the clarification!
  #13  
Old 07-22-2019, 08:24 PM
Cool Breeze Roll screens's Avatar
Cool Breeze Roll screens Cool Breeze Roll screens is offline
TOTV SPONSOR
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 851
Thanks: 26
Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts
Thumbs up Even Florida Gators like Mirage Screens by Cool breeze roll screens!

Even Florida Gators like Mirage Screens by Cool breeze roll screens!
Attached Thumbnails
The Villages Florida: Click image for larger version

Name:	11924.jpg
Views:	305
Size:	47.2 KB
ID:	80262  
__________________
Thank You,
Lonnie Ashe
Cool Breeze Roll Screens,Retractable screen doors and Awning.
888-896-8935
coolbreezerollscreens@yahoo.com
http://www.talkofthevillages.com/
http://www.coolbreezeincorporated.com/
www.facebook.com/coolbreeze.screens
  #14  
Old 07-23-2019, 02:31 AM
Taltarzac725's Avatar
Taltarzac725 Taltarzac725 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 49,312
Thanks: 9,392
Thanked 3,295 Times in 2,044 Posts
Default

Toxic, dog-killing toads invading Florida yards

My dog and a neighbor's dog up the road have had problems with these toads.

Just stay away from the ponds with respect to alligators and after a storm also avoid pools of water on roads and the like.

There are also various snakes you should look out for here in Florida. These are also usually near water. Venomous Water Moccasin or Harmless Watersnake?
  #15  
Old 07-23-2019, 09:09 AM
John_W John_W is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 6,390
Thanks: 2,172
Thanked 2,954 Times in 1,160 Posts
Default

From Villages Online Newspaper July 22, 2019

The Villages Florida

A Villager was surprised to spot a bobcat walking on the wall behind his home.

The bobcat was spotted Saturday morning at the home of Doug Byers at 3728 Infinity Run in the Village of Hillsborough.

“This cat was whining like it was hungry and it looked malnourished,” Byers said.

The Florida bobcat is identifiable by its short tail and the fringes of fur that outline the sides of its head. It weighs between 13 and 30 pounds and has a tail with white on its underside and black markings on its top side.

Bobcats are mainly nocturnal hunters who may also prey during the daylight hours. During the summer the Florida bobcats will eat mostly local fauna including squirrels, opossums, rabbits and raccoons. During the winter months, they hunt birds that pass through Florida to escape the cold up north.
Closed Thread

Tags
alligators, cooper, made, move, hey

Thread Tools

You are viewing a new design of the TOTV site. Click here to revert to the old version.

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:58 AM.