Growing up as a Floridian, I took for granted that alligators everywhere were just a normal part of life. I am reminded of just how unusual, how prehistoric, and how remarkable they are whenever I host out-of-state visitors.
The excitement —mixed with a healthy dose of fear —my houseguests show upon seeing a gator is a good reminder of just how cool these creatures are.
The big question:What's the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
Watch out for gators:
Crocs, too:Crikey! American crocodile lives at this Palm Beach County golf course — and is there to stay
The American Alligator (Alligator mississipiensis) can be found throughout the state of Florida. These large reptiles may be spotted in and around any body of water, including lakes and ponds, rivers, springs, canals, swamps, ditches, and retention ponds.
While gators tend to prefer freshwater, they may also be encountered in brackish water and even saltwater. In Florida, if it’s bigger than a puddle, it’s safer to assume there could be a gator in it.
Gators mate in the spring, typically from mid-April through May. Female gators build their nests along the water’s edge and will remain close by during the entire 65-day incubation period.
During this time, she will be extremely protective of her nest and should never be approached or harassed. Interestingly, the sex of gator hatchlings is determined by temperature ranges during incubation.
Cooler temps (below 86 Fahrenheit) produce female gators, warmer temps (above 91.4 Fahrenheit) yield male gators, and moderate temperatures mean a 50-50chance of producing males or females.
Gators are opportunistic hunters who choose their prey based on size and availability. Most active at dusk and dawn, the hunting gator will lie in wait for appropriately-sized prey to happen by and then strike with incredible speed.
Their powerful jaws are capable of easily crushing bones and shells, and gators will typically swallow their smaller prey whole. Common prey for gators includes fish, amphibians, birds, turtles, small mammals, deer, wild hogs, and sometimes other gators.
Gators are large, predatory animals, but that doesn’t mean we can’t coexist peacefully. We do need to observe some simple rules and practice situational awareness when we are in known gator habitats in order to stay safe.
It is illegal to feed wild gators, for good reason. When gators are fed, they associate people with food and lose their natural fear of humans. This may lead to gators becoming aggressive and extremely dangerous.
Avoid swimming or wading in areas where large gators are likely to be present, especially around dusk and dawn, and never allow children or pets to play around the water's edge where they may be mistaken for prey.
More From the Extension:Be mindful of your neighbors — the bears
Gobble, gobble:Living alongside Florida's wild turkeys
Likewise, dogs should not be allowed to swim in dark water where gators might be lurking as they are prey-sized for many gators. Use care when working along the edge of water bodies, especially during nesting season when females are more prone to aggression.
If a gator does charge at you, run away in a straight line, the zig-zag method is a myth! If you happen upon a gator while swimming, boating, or hiking, give them wide berth. Remember, gators are wild animals!
In general, if you are alert and aware of your surroundings, avoid unsafe situations, and don’t feed or harass gators, you’ll never have a negative interaction with a Florida gator (unless, of course, you are an FSU fan).
If you have a gator on your property who is displaying aggressive behavior, you should contact the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by calling 1-866-FWC-GATOR. If the animal is deemed a threat to the public a licensed trapper will be sent to remove it.
For more information on alligator safety please visit edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW230from which this article was adapted.
UF/IFAS Lake County Extension is open regular business hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or visit us online anytime at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lake and follow UF/IFAS Lake County Extension on Facebook. Our Gardens are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as the third Saturday of every month.
An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.
