8 Important Alligator Tips for Tourist's Visiting Florida
Alligators are an important part of Florida's heritage and do play an important part in the ecology of the Florida wetlands. Alligators, Floridians, and tourist do have to co-exist. And because of that, the potential for conflict always exists. However, there are precautions you can take, so that you can reduce the potential conflict.
Safety Tips
1. Leave alligators alone. It is against the law to harm, harass, molest, or attempt to remove them.
2. Supervise your children and pets closely when near water of any kind in Florida. We have heard many stories where people allow their little dogs nearby the edge of the water, only to never see them again.
3. Do not swim outside posted swimming areas or in any water that might contain large alligators. Alligators are known to be as large as 14 feet and greater than 1,000 pounds.
4. Swim only in day light hours. Most alligators feed at dusk, dawn, or night.
5. Never ever feed an alligator. First, it is illegal. Second, it is dangerous. Alligators overcome their "shyness" the more they become accustom to human feeding. Hence, they end up living in the very area you do not want to see them - your back yard.
6. Let other people know the rules about feeding alligators. The more that people are educated, the less chance of a potential danger for the community.
7. If you are at a boat ramp, let's say after a nice day of fishing, and you wish to grill some fish; never put fish scraps back into the water. Use a garbage can.
8. Seek immediate help if you are even mildly attacked by an alligator. Alligators harbor a very infectious bacteria; even a minor bite may require special treatment.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation agency removes more than 5,000 alligators per year to reduce potential hazards to the community. Most Floridians who have lived in Florida for a while are aware of these tips. However, when tourists come here, they can get so excited if they see a gator and could be tempted on getting a closer view. However, the best view is a distant view. Be safe and smart!
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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- Swim only in day light hours.
- Never ever feed an alligator.
30 Comments
Post a CommentI am a Concierge at a hotel and point out to guests where to view gators from the safety of their vehicles. I make them promise not to approach or feed them. Imagine my horror when a guests returned to tell me they let their child touch a gator's tail. I have gators in my lake 100 feet from my lanai, it's best to respect them. They were here long before people. Having said that, I NEVER walk my 2 little dogs near the water.
Note to Tourists.....we love you visiting and admiring our home territory...please respect the wildlife and let them be wild.
Irene - I just hope you never have one come in your house like that poor woman who had one follow her cat home. The fact that the cat lived is amazing. Or maybe the cat knew just how far to push its luck....but that woman, walking into her kitchen, and seeing an alligator? Can you imagine? Well, I guess maybe you can.....I'd have been really upset by an alligator in the kitchen although I like the words "Alligator in My Kitchen" as a catchy title...but that is it....wouldn't want a real life experience.
Not having grown up around alligators, I'd freak out if I saw one in a retention pond. It must be an adjustment for those who move there!
Good job...Irene...... I just wrote about the alligator in the Kitchen in Oldsmar and this morning I heard about the cluless golfer being attacked on the golf course.
btw...since its against the law I guess I won't try to molest or steal a gator afterall...darn the luck
makes me shudder just reading this. These nasties are every bit as good as our Aussie meanies lol Thanks I Irene.
Michael, you must be living in a hole...gators are in just about every rention pond..let alone lakes here...we have a 6 ft one we are trying to get out...i've lived here for nearly 23 yrs..and they have been everywhere...no kidding too
Safety Tip 0.: Walk softly and carry a big shotgun... I may get "mildly attacked" this afternoon - even by a 'gator,' Irene, but I've lived in FL for four years and have yet to even see one... They are out there, though, and your safety tips are good ones. Michael
Great article! Very important information!! :-)
I never thought about them much until my mother-in-law looked at me in horror when I stuck my hand in a pond to pull out a golf ball--and there's water mocassin's too. Great article :) Sheri