ALLIGATORS!

It was revenge for this gator eating a shark in the same area.
Hilton Head alligator named Charlie ate a shark. Get used to it, scientists say

Deb and Ed M wrote:

True - but they are easy to see in a swimming pool.....LOL! As far as them frolicking in the ocean - they'd better be BIG or the sharks will get them! ROFL!!! Recently, our local social media featured a Lemon Shark swimming about 15' off the beach....

Here’s an article about a shark attacking a gator.
Shark bites alligator.

thomasmnile wrote:
Alligators also enjoy a dip in backyard pools and even the occasional visit to Cocoa Beach to frolic in the surf. :)

True - but they are easy to see in a swimming pool.....LOL! As far as them frolicking in the ocean - they'd better be BIG or the sharks will get them! ROFL!!! Recently, our local social media featured a Lemon Shark swimming about 15' off the beach....

Alligators also enjoy a dip in backyard pools and even the occasional visit to Cocoa Beach to frolic in the surf. :)

Deb and Ed M wrote:
I agree that it never hurts to remind visitors to the south that alligators are a threat. I remember wondering, during visits to FL, why no inland lakes have docks/swim rafts/beaches, etc. Now that I spend my winter there, I know the answer: the only water that is "safe" is a swimming pool. Even if there's no alligators around, there's still flesh-eating bacteria and brain-eating amoebas that lurk... I guess the tragic example is the little boy who was wading at one of the Disney properties, and was grabbed/drowned by an alligator. The sign said "no swimming", and he wasn't. Locals probably understand that "no swimming" means alligators might be present - but the poor kid's family was from Nebraska, I think.

So warning folks that alligators lurk, can run FAST, climb fences, etc is a good thing

There's a good bit more to the Disney episode than has been made public. Cameras EVERYWHERE on Disney property and irresponsible parents can often lead to an issue "going away" .... as this one did once everything was investigated and documented.

Yes, definitely a tragedy, but totally avoidable.

I agree that it never hurts to remind visitors to the south that alligators are a threat. I remember wondering, during visits to FL, why no inland lakes have docks/swim rafts/beaches, etc. Now that I spend my winter there, I know the answer: the only water that is "safe" is a swimming pool. Even if there's no alligators around, there's still flesh-eating bacteria and brain-eating amoebas that lurk... I guess the tragic example is the little boy who was wading at one of the Disney properties, and was grabbed/drowned by an alligator. The sign said "no swimming", and he wasn't. Locals probably understand that "no swimming" means alligators might be present - but the poor kid's family was from Nebraska, I think.

So warning folks that alligators lurk, can run FAST, climb fences, etc is a good thing

pennysmom09 wrote:
Rather a sensationalist post. We winter in central Florida every year and are surrounded by lakes. Common sense will keep you safe. Anyone that walks their dog near water has none. Besides, during the winter alligators are so dormant they don’t bother anyone if you leave them alone.

That’s just it: common sense is often left at home by vacationers. A vivid reminder, especially to those who live in states without gators, that these creatures pose a real threat, is periodically necessary. I will also add that the slow moving St. John’s River in FL is also a gator haven. So much so that they have an annual gator hunt to keep the population in check.

Having lived in FL, AL and TX, I have seen gators emerge from hibernation on warm winter days. They will “bother you” as you called it: attack is a better word. They’re primitive and have essentially 2 instinctual drives: eat and reproduce.

On the b side gator tail is not too shabby. Tastes like a lightly fish-flavored chicken. Pretty good with Cajun spices.:w

NamMedevac 70 wrote:

bgum wrote:
Dumb but true: Friends came to home one evening and asked if I wanted to go frogging. Well since I had never been before (or since) I went. Four adults and two children in boat. We saw a couple alligators and that was when my friend said one can tell the size of the gator by the distance between the eyes. He decided to catch a small one. It turned out to be about four feet long. Naturally he dropped him in the boat and it thrashed around and knocked out all the lights. 12 legs and feet in a boat in total darkness with an angry gator. Well when we finally got the lights back on there was all the adults and one kid in the front of the boat and one 4 year old (sucking his thumb) and the gator in the back of the boat staring at each other.

You can't cure stupid

You got that right:c

Rather a sensationalist post. We winter in central Florida every year and are surrounded by lakes. Common sense will keep you safe. Anyone that walks their dog near water has none. Besides, during the winter alligators are so dormant they don’t bother anyone if you leave them alone.

magnusfide wrote:
Keep your pets (and your children) safe and away from waters like ponds and lakes. Alligators have become such a problem they're even eating each other.

Massive gator swallows smaller gator whole.

Alligator rushes out of the water and steals FL boy's fish and fishing rod.

These prehistoric critters will also rush out of the water and grab your children, your dogs and your cats (just look it up online). Anything that moves is a potential lunch including adults (see attacks noted online).

Not my idea of a vacation.

I see your map is pretty much full. If this isn't your "idea of a vacation", you should know better than anyone that the vast majority of the states on that map have no alligator issues at all.

Stick to them in your travels.

There, problem solved. :C

bgum wrote:
Dumb but true: Friends came to home one evening and asked if I wanted to go frogging. Well since I had never been before (or since) I went. Four adults and two children in boat. We saw a couple alligators and that was when my friend said one can tell the size of the gator by the distance between the eyes. He decided to catch a small one. It turned out to be about four feet long. Naturally he dropped him in the boat and it thrashed around and knocked out all the lights. 12 legs and feet in a boat in total darkness with an angry gator. Well when we finally got the lights back on there was all the adults and one kid in the front of the boat and one 4 year old (sucking his thumb) and the gator in the back of the boat staring at each other.

You can't cure stupid