A Deadly Catch in Florida
Gator Aid
Can you imagine casting your line and catching an alligator? It proved deadly but not for the fisherman - for the alligator. You can see it here. Then, imagine if you will, storing the dead alligator in the freezer until it can be mounted. I think not.
The news reported that the gator weighed in at 800 pounds and was 12-feet long. It was caught on private land near by Tim Stroh, a 19-year-old Florida student. Tim had a permit to hunt the alligator on private land.
It wasn't the biggest gator ever caught in America. The record belongs to a fisherman in Louisiana who caught a 2,000 lb, 19 foot gator. That's a ton of fun pulling him into the boat. The largest gator caught in Florida was more than 14 feet and the heaviest more than 1,000 pounds. Tim said he'll continue "fishing" until he breaks the record.
Then I read the disturbing news that Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation nabbed two men who had captured baby alligator hatchlings. Poaching baby alligators is big business in Florida and the two men ended up in the county jail on third-degree felony charges which, on conviction, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Alligators were saved from the brink of extinction and are now thriving. Baby alligators usually stay with their mothers for about two years if not eaten by predators. In fact, adult alligators usually consume 6-7% of the hatchlings.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, it is the heat in the nest that determines the sex of the embryos. Temps above 89°F usually produce males while the cooler temps are more conducive for females.
Alligators usually live about 30 years but some males have been known to live as long as 60 years in captivity.
Tim said he would like to mount the gator's head to hang in his bedroom. I still cannot believe the family is storing it in their freezer.
Sources:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44555450/ns/local_news-jacksonville_fl/#.TnngfOxYHcs
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/american-alligator/
http://agrilife.org/txwildlifeservices/files/2011/08/AlligatorFaceSheet.pdf
Published by Michele Starkey
Optimist who enjoys writing, laughing and spreading good news. If I have but one life to live, I hope to make mine memorable. My epitaph will read: she lived, she loved, she left. View profile
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50 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting article, that was a big Gator!
very cool...
gosh what a catch? It saddens me that so many animals are on the brink of extinction.
Superb reporting on this. Well done!
Interesting information indeed, Michele. I read also about huge pythons on the loose in Florida after floods forced them into the open. I am far away from them and happy for that! siva
Wow! I ate alligator one and it was good. I hope an alligator doesn't say that about me someday.
Fried gator anyone?
Interesting article. I didn't know this about alligators!
The largest thing I've ever caught was an eight pound catfish, who promptly got thrown back! I can't imagine having an alligator on the line, much less "ready to mount in the freezer." Think I'd pass ont that one, Michele. Good article, timely and informative.
Interesting article. I just learned about gator temp. breeding, thanks.