Dixiechick wrote:
HappyKayakers wrote:
Dixiechick wrote:
When we wintered in south Florida we did not kayak during February since this is the mating season. The gators can be extremely aggressive during that time. I would never think of feeding one! I would not want to get that close to them. I like to see the gators on the bank-that way I know they aren't in the water with me.
Courtship typically is in April, followed by mating in May and June, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Actually I am speaking from personal experience. The kayakers who told us this had been spending many years in Florida during the winter. We also watched the actions of the alligators and they seemed quite possessive of their areas. Perhaps the global warming situation has confused the gators!
We have been paddling in and around alligators during the winter months from December to April for the past twenty years, and I have studied their habits as well as their aggressiveness.
The only time I have ever seen any get aggressive is when someone gets to close to a mothers young, and even then, they will just threaten you. I have never seen a big bull get aggressive, but naturally I am not about to paddle up to one.
One time we accidently came across a bull and a female doing the deed, and all they did was make a might splash and both swam away.
