Page 7 - The Shores of Jupiter - September '22

The Shores, Page 7
Northern Notes

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

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