How do people in Florida live with alligators?

Residents tend to seek waterfront homes and that increases the chances of interacting with alligators. They’ve been found in swimming pools, ditches, garages and more.

How do people act around alligators?

Be sure to run away from the water to avoid running into the jaws of more crocodilians. Forget the conventional wisdom about running in a zig-zag pattern to escape; the quickest way to escape an alligator or crocodile is in a straight line. This is because humans (and other animals) run faster in straight lines.

Are alligators naturally afraid of humans?

In fact, gators are naturally scared of humans. When faced with a human in the wild, an alligator is much more likely to fled the area than become aggressive. Feeding them will encourage the alligator to interact and will often result in an attack.

Will alligators leave you alone?

Following is a transcript of the video. Graham Flanagan: For years, Hollywood movies have shown humans at war with alligators. And their crocodilian cousins. Either they’re attacking us, or we’re attacking them.

How do you keep alligators out of your house?

Fencing your property with a well-built sturdy fence is definitely one of the best ways to keep alligators off your property if you are likely to meet one and want to stay protected. Some of the best fencing options you can try include: Chain link fence. Single-strand electric fence.

How do you fend off an alligator?

Roll with it, but fight like your life depends on it—because it might. Poke it in the eyes, shove an arm down its throat, and punch it on the end of its sensitive snout. The key is to convince the alligator that you’re not worth the trouble, Mazzotti says.

What to do if an alligator chases you?

Alligators have a natural fear of humans, and usually begin a quick retreat when approached by people. If you have a close encounter with an alligator a few yards away, back away slowly.

Are small alligators dangerous to humans?

Alligators smaller than four feet are not large enough to be considered dangerous unless they’re handled, FWC says. The small gators eat fish, frogs and other small animals but are typically not large enough to pose a threat, even to small pets. Sometimes however, FWC says the small gators can pose a legitimate problem and must be addressed.

How do you live with alligators in Florida?

Here are tips on how to live with alligators in Florida: Alligators become more active as the weather warms up. They bask in the sun to control body temperature, so they can easily be observed from a distance. Gators are more active from dusk to dawn, so the FWC recommends swimming during daylight hours and in designated swimming areas only.

What do you do if you see a nuisance alligator?

If you call the nuisance hotline with concerns, they’ll respond and handle the situation. What is a nuisance alligator? According to FWC, if an alligator is at least four feet long and is in an area where it could pose a threat to people, pets or property it’s considered a nuisance alligator.

Is it safe to swim with alligators at night?

Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Therefore, avoid swimming at night. Dogs and cats are similar in size to the natural prey of alligators. Don’t allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators.