[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Most gators have been removed from The Villages? I don't agree. I think they only remove them if they get large and troublesome. Otherwise the retention ponds are havens for gators and they migrate through the irrigation pipes. We even had a gator briefly visit our "puddle" in back of our house, and then he moved on.

You are so right Barefoot, there are gators everywhere in TV. There have been pictures posted on these boards of gators roaming around villages and I remember one particular gator was at someone's front door. When it comes to wildlife it's an amazing place to live and no need to be fearful, just take Firewalker's advice (he's a gator trapper) and give the gator his space.
I'm more fearful of the drivers in TV than I am of the wildlife.

[firewalkerb3]

Bearfoot
The only alligators that require removing have become a nuisance. To become a nuisance gator it has to have created a problem, by treating the safety of domestic animals or people. We all have a reasonably explanation of safety. One thing I can insure any resident of the Villages, no alligator or any wildlife is removed without insurance that the need to remove it is warranted. Every effort to relocate the offender is also made. If anyone noticed a shortage of alligators around the landing or any area, this is a result of the weather we been having. The big ones move mostly late at night when it a little coolerThe smaller one's 4 or 5 foot will move in the day when the big one or not out, this keeps them off the menu. Also a lot of the females are nesting, and want travel far from her nest. Exercising good judgement is the best thing we can do to avoid a less then favorable encounter with any wildlife.

God Bless

[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by firewalkerb3

Bearfoot
The only alligators that require removing have become a nuisance. To become a nuisance gator it has to have created a problem, by treating the safety of domestic animals or people. We all have a reasonably explanation of safety. One thing I can insure any resident of the Villages, no alligator or any wildlife is removed without insurance that the need to remove it is warranted. Every effort to relocate the offender is also made. If anyone noticed a shortage of alligators around the landing or any area, this is a result of the weather we been having. The big ones move mostly late at night when it a little coolerThe smaller one's 4 or 5 foot will move in the day when the big one or not out, this keeps them off the menu. Also a lot of the females are nesting, and want travel far from her nest. Exercising good judgement is the best thing we can do to avoid a less then favorable encounter with any wildlife.

God Bless

You the man!!!!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by firewalkerb3

Bearfoot
The only alligators that require removing have become a nuisance. To become a nuisance gator it has to have created a problem, by treating the safety of domestic animals or people. We all have a reasonably explanation of safety. One thing I can insure any resident of the Villages, no alligator or any wildlife is removed without insurance that the need to remove it is warranted. Every effort to relocate the offender is also made. If anyone noticed a shortage of alligators around the landing or any area, this is a result of the weather we been having. The big ones move mostly late at night when it a little coolerThe smaller one's 4 or 5 foot will move in the day when the big one or not out, this keeps them off the menu. Also a lot of the females are nesting, and want travel far from her nest. Exercising good judgement is the best thing we can do to avoid a less then favorable encounter with any wildlife. God Bless

You know what Firewalker? This is a great post. Full of good information.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by firewalkerb3

Bearfoot
The only alligators that require removing have become a nuisance. To become a nuisance gator it has to have created a problem, by treating the safety of domestic animals or people. We all have a reasonably explanation of safety. One thing I can insure any resident of the Villages, no alligator or any wildlife is removed without insurance that the need to remove it is warranted. Every effort to relocate the offender is also made. If anyone noticed a shortage of alligators around the landing or any area, this is a result of the weather we been having. The big ones move mostly late at night when it a little coolerThe smaller one's 4 or 5 foot will move in the day when the big one or not out, this keeps them off the menu. Also a lot of the females are nesting, and want travel far from her nest. Exercising good judgement is the best thing we can do to avoid a less then favorable encounter with any wildlife.

God Bless

I really appreciate you telling us these things. Thank you so much.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by firewalkerb3

Bearfoot
The big ones move mostly late at night when it a little cooler. The smaller one's 4 or 5 foot will move in the day when the big one or not out, this keeps them off the menu.

Just one question .. do large gators eat smaller ones?

[mulligan]

Probably low on a list of menu choices, but if they're hungry enough........ Also, for those that have a casual attitude about gators being present, i believe you may assume if there's a body of water, there's probably a gator in it. This is not just an inventory builder for those in the used golf ball business, but a safe assumption for those of us that can no longer run @ 45mph.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by mulligan

For those that have a casual attitude about gators being present, i believe you may assume if there's a body of water, there's probably a gator in it.

Our house backs on two small and shallow retention ponds. Before we purchased the house, we asked some of the neighbours who had lived in the area for six years: "Have you ever seen a gator here". They all said: "No, it's impossible, the ponds are too small".

Last May, guess what, a small gator was sunning himself in the grass beside one of the puddles. We have a picture. He didn't stay around long, I assume he was travelling through the irrigation pipes.

We have invisible fencing for our dogs in our back yard. And the ponds are away from the house, down in a ravine. Still, we always supervise our dogs when they are outside. If you back on water, please don't let your kitties or pooches out unsupervised.

[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Just one question .. do large gators eat smaller ones?

A gator is an opportunistic eater (it takes one to know one) and will eat ANYTHING.

[firewalkerb3]

Barefoot, to answer your question about large gator eating small one. The answer is yes, not uncommon to see alligators missing part of it's tail or foot.

[BritParrothead]

We just rented a house in Bonita, bakking on to 2 small lakes, we saw regularly a 6 ft gator on the far side of the lake and also a seconf on in the lake, bathing. They never bothered each other or the birds that were all around them.
Got some great snaps

[firewalkerb3]

You will see alligators share a pond, as noted one at one at one end, and one at the other. Both are close to the same size. You won't see one cross into the others side, only they know we're the line in the water located. The larger the pond, the more gators it can support without internal incident. One of two things will happen over time with any gators, and the gators will lose on both. Feeding the gators, = gators fear of humans diminishes to a point that the gators becomes a threat. Human's moving around and area were alligators inhabit , but avoid interaction. Gator after not being treated by humans in it area fear of humans diminishes. Both require the gators relocation or destroying. We all prefer relocating the gators, but can't take the chance when dealing with one that has already showed aggression. Stay Safe, God Bless

[mulligan]

Try the gator nuggets at Gator's Dockside @ Spanish Springs. May change your thinking about relocation.

[mulligan]

I had one, and let it expire.