[LongIslander]

I know this is a growing problem, with the dry weather and with more and more people moving in, but just how big a problem is this?

Recently the news has been filled with stories of gators in public areas---and we're NOT just talking babies either???

What's the scoop?

[pslOldTimer]

Originally Posted by LongIslander

...but just how big a problem is this?

Well, if you sit on the side of a rural drainage ditch and dangle your legs in the water during mating season, especially if water levels are low and gators are moving to find new locations, it could be a big problem, maybe one in a hundred thousand or so. In general, it could be a problem in the range of one in 4 million or so -- 3 deaths this year out of 12 million (or however many there are) Floridians. This year seems to be a bad year; the problem is rare enough that it always makes news.

There are more bear attacks in the North than gator attacks in the South.

There are more shark attacks than gator attacks.

And, there were over 3,500 people killed on Florida's highways last year. Which is the real problem?

[LongIslander]

The news always seems to blow things out of proportion... thanks.

[Mountain Man]

I see them in every Lake while Im fishing they keep their distance. The problem is when people Feed them.

[Mountain Man]

alligator info

www.theonion.com/content/node/48203

[delandite]

It's gator mating season. Besides, people should NEVER attempt to pet any wild animal, much less, one that WILL EAT YOU!!

[lulu]

I just had to post about the gator issue as I could not resist. I fished with my dad & camped out in the Everglades when I was a kid. Ohh...how I used to love those airboat rides in the midst of the everglades! They are sooo...much fun. One has to bear in mind that gators are cold blooded reptiles. So when it heats up their metabolism literally warms up , they look for mates - the females get very, very agressive protecting their eggs . And of course in warmer weather their metabolism speeds up so they need food. When the turtles are out sunning, so will the gators. Though, when you are from FL you learn how to live around them & you won't see them in big cities or anything like that. I remember there used to be baby gators sold in pet stores all over Miami when I was a child & Miami was more ruralish & had lots of swamp land. Northerner's would take them up as novelties/gifts back home, believe it or not. I'd hear stories of people flushing them down the toilets in NY & heard scary stories in the 60's of them growing in sewer systems,etc. I can't say if any of these stories were really true or not. Gator meat from the tail used to be sold (very low in fat, lean & delicious!), there were fancy handbags, shoes & boots at cheap prices that tourists would love to come down & buy. Butt...there were more hunting seasons back then to control the overpopulation. The same goes for the sharks...I was reading last week that they are going to start a gator hunting season soon. Hopefully, we can see shark meat being sold in the markets down here again - it's really a meaty meat & truly delicious. When I read that sharks were being protected & fisherman weren't allowed to fish 'em I knew we'd have more of 'em out there & these guys have got to eat, too. As for the reply 'that 'old timer" wrote, I have to agree 100% w/him - driving is the major killer here. More than hurricanes, sharks or gators all put together. Yes, we've had 2 adult females killed recently in warm weather, one was jogging by a lake & sadly the other was swimming in one, I think. I don't know about the rest of the Floridians out there but I would never, ever swim in a lake in warm weather cause one never knows....One just has to learn to live amongst these native inhabitants & proceed cautiously.

[Barbee]

OH Pullleeeease!

As dalandite says, it's mating season.

Add to that people have no respect for their environment and the creatures we share it with-POW!

Do you know anyone who would feed a snake in their community? I think not! That is simply because people have a HEALTHY respect of snakes, and are more likely (foolishly) to kill it than feed it. But quite frankly if everyone in town though it was 'cute' to feed the snakes they (the snakes) would look to people for their daily meal as well.

I am by no means suggesting that the innocent victims of these attacks were the ones doing the 'feeding', it's just that others have done the damage and the victims pay the price.

Alligators are dangerous wild animals, other states have dangerous wild animals also...people feed alligators here in Florida in a manner that would not even be imagined by people who live in other areas such as bear country....if you get my drift.

I believe in respect for the environment, but a HEALTHY respect is the best.

Have respect, a healthy respect (and maybe a touch of fear wouldn't hurt.)!

Barbee

[backtofla]

"and are more likely (foolishly) to kill it than feed it."

or here in nc they do both --- kill the snake and then eat the snake!!!

[pslOldTimer]

Originally Posted by backtofla

...here in nc they do both --- kill the snake and then eat the snake!!!

...or play with them in church...