Page 8 - Jupiter West - September '22

Page 8, Jupiter West
Northern Notes

Alligators – One Of Florida’s average of 16,000 complaints annually. Not all of these
complaints turn out to be aggressive alligators. The
Most Misunderstood Animals FWC places the highest priority on public safety and
administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
By Katie Roundtree, (SNAP). The goal of SNAP is to proactively address
Director of Finance and alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving
Administration, Northern alligators in areas where they naturally occur.
Palm Beach County Alligators less than 4 feet in length are not large enough
Improvement District to be dangerous to people or pets, unless handled. You
Did you know that your should never handle an alligator, even a small one, because
chance of being attacked it is illegal and alligator bites can result in serious infection.
by an alligator is about 1 If there’s an alligator under 4 feet in your swimming pool,
in 24 million, while your occur on persons wading or swimming at the water’s edge on your porch or in a similar situation, call the Nuisance
chance of winning the where alligators can lunge at prey approaching the water. Alligator Hotline at (866) FWC-GATOR, (866) 392-4286.
Florida Lottery is about 1 Be careful around heavy vegetation at the water’s edge • Create a barrier on your property if you live near the
in 23 million – one million where alligators are known to lie in the daytime. water’s edge. The most effective measure is installation of a
times better?* The American alligator, Florida’s state • Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. wall, fence or vegetation buffer. Any construction or planting
reptile, is a conservation success story. Florida has a Never let pets swim in undesignated areas, even for a short like these discourages a larger, more dangerous, alligator
healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated time, since they often resemble alligators’ natural prey. from entering the area. These are not foolproof by any means
at 1.3 million alligators of every size. They are found in • Be cautious during warmer months. Alligator mating since alligators have been known to climb chain-link fences. For
freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps and slow-moving rivers season is between May and September. During this time these types of fences, a metal overhang of at least 20 inches in
in all 67 counties in Florida. male alligators are more aggressive and female alligators depth with a minimum angle of 45 degrees should be installed
Alligators are an integral part of Florida’s ecosystem are protective of nests. Seventy-five percent of alligator at the top to prevent a climbing alligator from scaling over
and play a significant part in the ecology of our wetlands. attacks occur during May through September. the fence.
Alligators have an important role in the food chain and • Never approach an alligator or alligator nest. Remember, your chances of being attacked by an alligator
help keep other animal populations in balance. They are Alligators approached by humans may become alarmed, are very small and using your common sense and tips from
one of Florida’s most misunderstood animals and learning think that they are being threatened and defend themselves. this article, alligators and humans can live together safely.
a little more about them may help humans and alligators Alligator mothers are known to be fearless when protecting Alligators are an important part of Florida’s natural history
continue to coexist. Here are some important facts and tips their nest or babies. as well as an integral component of aquatic ecosystems.
to consider while living with alligators: • Never feed or entice an alligator to approach you. For more information go to www.myfwc.com or www.
• Be aware in or near water. Never let pets or children Not only is this dangerous, it is also illegal. Alligators crocodopolis.net.
near water unsupervised. Swim in designated swimming who have been fed by humans cannot differentiate one NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
areas only. Never go into the water between dusk and dawn human from another and may charge unsuspecting humans somewhere around your home helps lock rainwater in the
when alligators are most active. Ninety percent of attacks looking for a free meal. Even worse, if other alligators ground, reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into
see this feeding, they may join the first alligator and copy the drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your
garden further protects and brings health to your yard and
the behavior. Be careful feeding ducks, turtles or fish as
Helping Poor alligators may be lurking nearby. Dispose of fish scraps all the species living there.
leftover from fishing in garbage cans at boat ramps and fish
*Sources: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Readers camps. Do not throw them into the water. You may not be Commission and Florida Lottery.
intentionally feeding alligators, but the result is the same.
Report illegal feeding or enticing to local authorities.
• Contact authorities if you suspect that an alligator
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., may pose danger. Contact Florida Fish & Wildlife
Licensed School Conservation Commission (FWC) at (866) FWC-
Psychologist GATOR, (866) 392-4286. Usually alligators under 4 feet
It can frustrate you and in length pose little to no danger, but if an alligator of
your child when reading any size shows signs of potential conflict with humans,
does not develop easily. then contact the authorities. FWC agents investigate an
Sometimes the struggle
becomes a blame game Have Medicare questions? I have answers.
of blaming the child for
not trying hard enough,
blaming a teacher for poor
teaching, or even blaming
yourself for not spending enough time reading with your
child. Ultimately, a child’s struggles are often related to a Kathy Olejniczak
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To help your child you have many choices of doing
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I recommend you do is not let your child lose the hope that
they can become a great reader. When I test poor readers I
identify the root cause and most effective reading program
to help your child make the most improvement as fast as Y0066_21SPRJ55188_C
possible. I also assess a child’s self-esteem as some kids come
in feeling defeated believing they have a broken brain.
I understand the struggles because I had a hard time
reading sounding out words but I had a strong memory so I
could memorize well. During my childhood it was common Peripheral
to collect things so as a 10-year-old kid I collected beer cans.
My dad drank the beer and I displayed the can’s colorful Neuropathy?
designs. My parents subscribed me to Beer Can Collectors
of America and I read articles about beer cans. We went on
the brewery tour at Busch Gardens. While these did not lead FREE Consultation
me to my career, the activities motivated me to read.
You might encourage your child to read about his or her
interests in Pokémon, Minecraft, arts and crafts, or Candy for Acupuncture
Crush. Support your child’s reading interests with material
and experiences.
To help poor readers, start with specialized tutoring at
reading centers like Lindamood Bell or the Reading Success
Center in Palm City. I have some specialized reading tutors
at JimForgan.com/tutor. If money is tight, you can teach your
child using the Barton Reading System at BartonReading. 561-745-1002
com. Reading is a skill so it can improve.
If you suspect dyslexia, call our office as we test children 654 West Indiantown
ages 5.5 through college for dyslexia, ADHD/ADD, THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO Road, Jupiter, FL 33458
REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER
giftedness, and other processing disorders. Visit JimForgan. SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND
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