Page 14 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - September '22

Page 14, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Northern Notes

Alligators – One Of Florida’s
Most Misunderstood Animals

By Katie Roundtree,
Director of Finance and
Administration, Northern
Palm Beach County
Improvement District For more information go to www.myfwc.com or www.
Did you know that your crocodopolis.net.
chance of being attacked NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
by an alligator is about 1 degrees should be installed at the top to prevent a climbing somewhere around your home helps lock rainwater in the
in 24 million, while your alligator from scaling over the fence. ground, reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into
chance of winning the Remember, your chances of being attacked by an alligator the drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your
Florida Lottery is about 1 are very small and using your common sense and tips from garden further protects and brings health to your yard and
in 23 million – one million this article, alligators and humans can live together safely. all the species living there.
times better?* The American alligator, Florida’s state Alligators are an important part of Florida’s natural history *Sources: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation
reptile, is a conservation success story. Florida has a as well as an integral component of aquatic ecosystems. Commission and Florida Lottery.
healthy and stable alligator population, which is estimated
at 1.3 million alligators of every size. They are found in
freshwater lakes, ponds, swamps and slow-moving rivers
in all 67 counties in Florida.
Alligators are an integral part of Florida’s ecosystem
and play a significant part in the ecology of our wetlands.
Alligators have an important role in the food chain and
help keep other animal populations in balance. They are
one of Florida’s most misunderstood animals and learning
a little more about them may help humans and alligators
continue to coexist. Here are some important facts and tips
to consider while living with alligators:
• Be aware in or near water. Never let pets or children
near water unsupervised. Swim in designated swimming
areas only. Never go into the water between dusk and dawn
when alligators are most active. Ninety percent of attacks
occur on persons wading or swimming at the water’s edge
where alligators can lunge at prey approaching the water.
Be careful around heavy vegetation at the water’s edge
where alligators are known to lie in the daytime.
• Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge.
Never let pets swim in undesignated areas, even for a short
time, since they often resemble alligators’ natural prey.
• Be cautious during warmer months. Alligator mating
season is between May and September. During this time
male alligators are more aggressive and female alligators
are protective of nests. Seventy-five percent of alligator
attacks occur during May through September.
• Never approach an alligator or alligator nest.
Alligators approached by humans may become alarmed,
think that they are being threatened and defend themselves.
Alligator mothers are known to be fearless when protecting
their nest or babies.
• Never feed or entice an alligator to approach you.
Not only is this dangerous, it is also illegal. Alligators
who have been fed by humans cannot differentiate one
human from another and may charge unsuspecting humans
looking for a free meal. Even worse, if other alligators
see this feeding, they may join the first alligator and copy
the behavior. Be careful feeding ducks, turtles or fish as
alligators may be lurking nearby. Dispose of fish scraps Susan Has Moved To A
leftover from fishing in garbage cans at boat ramps and fish
camps. Do not throw them into the water. You may not be
intentionally feeding alligators, but the result is the same. New Location!
Report illegal feeding or enticing to local authorities.
• Contact authorities if you suspect that an alligator
may pose danger. Contact Florida Fish & Wildlife Androcles Hair Salon
Conservation Commission (FWC) at (866) FWC-
GATOR, (866) 392-4286. Usually alligators under 4 feet 4031 Hood Rd., Suite C-108
in length pose little to no danger, but if an alligator of Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
any size shows signs of potential conflict with humans,
then contact the authorities. FWC agents investigate an
average of 16,000 complaints annually. Not all of these Susan
complaints turn out to be aggressive alligators. The
FWC places the highest priority on public safety and
administers a Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program Swafford
(SNAP). The goal of SNAP is to proactively address
alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving
alligators in areas where they naturally occur. 561-312-0457
Alligators less than 4 feet in length are not large enough
to be dangerous to people or pets, unless handled. You
should never handle an alligator, even a small one, because
it is illegal and alligator bites can result in serious infection. 10%
If there’s an alligator under 4 feet in your swimming pool,
on your porch or in a similar situation, call the Nuisance
Alligator Hotline at (866) FWC-GATOR, (866) 392-4286.
• Create a barrier on your property if you live near OFF
the water’s edge. The most effective measure is installation
of a wall, fence or vegetation buffer. Any construction or
planting like these discourages a larger, more dangerous, Tues.
alligator from entering the area. These are not foolproof by Products starting at 69
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any means since alligators have been known to climb chain New clients only
link fences. For these types of fences, a metal overhang
of at least 20 inches in depth with a minimum angle of 45