Why do we tolerate alligators in populated areas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am old but still would not know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.

Even on my Apple tablet they both have the same emoji!!

Saltwater crocodiles are huge! And don’t live in the US. If you are in the South it’s an alligator. Easy.

[Anonymous]

Alligators a living dinosaurs and are awesome. As with bears, the solution is for humans to leave them alone and not invade their habitats. I’ve never been held hostage by an alligator because I don’t live where alligators live. It’s very easy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am absolutely terrified of alligators 🐊 which is why I could NEVER call Florida home.

I went there only once to visit Disneyworld and two weeks later a little boy was killed by one at a resort we stayed next to.

Being a non-native, I could see myself allowing my child to be in the water there since I wouldn’t think an alligator would reside in such a resort atmosphere.

Plus during that time the humidity was so unbearable - I would have put my feet into the water to cool off.

I live in Florida and you can’t tell me there weren’t MULTIPLE signs around that pond warning people of alligators. The parents probably ignored them because they were dumb and figured if there was one in the water they would see it. Not factoring that they are fast and move under water. There are signs around the ponds at my local Publix warning of alligators.

[Anonymous]

Considering the amount of alligators in the south I really don’t think there are that many deaths. They have a lot of food in Florida. They only attack people or pets because they are in or close to the water and they mistake them for their usual food. They don’t see well and are generally afraid of humans. They aren’t as big of a nuisance than they could be considering the population.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am old but still would not know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.

Even on my Apple tablet they both have the same emoji!!

It’s almost all alligators in the US. Crocodiles need warm year round temps and we don’t have in most of the US apart from very south Florida, where there are both alligators and crocodiles. I guess with climate change you might see crocodiles gradually moving further north though? But definitely not into the Carolinas because it would get too cool during the winter and spring. Alligators live in swamps, marshes, ponds, basically around standing water. Crocodiles can navigate through running water like rivers. Crocs are bigger and lighter colored, alligators are smaller (but still big!) and a dark gray/slightly green color. Crocs are aggressive and will go after anything, alligators won’t usually go after people especially adults but will go after pets and small animals if they get near one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am old but still would not know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.

Even on my Apple tablet they both have the same emoji!!

Saltwater crocodiles are huge! And don’t live in the US. If you are in the South it’s an alligator. Easy.

Wrong. Florida does indeed have crocodiles. Crocodylusacutus typically live along the coastlines.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget to check out gator meat when ya'll visit Florida. It is really tasty. (neutral flavor like chicken)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am absolutely terrified of alligators 🐊 which is why I could NEVER call Florida home.

I went there only once to visit Disneyworld and two weeks later a little boy was killed by one at a resort we stayed next to.

Being a non-native, I could see myself allowing my child to be in the water there since I wouldn’t think an alligator would reside in such a resort atmosphere.

Plus during that time the humidity was so unbearable - I would have put my feet into the water to cool off.

People had been swimming in that lagoon for years... in fact there used to be a lifeguard at the Polynesian beach. Everyone was assured that Disney removed all alligators over 3 feet. I guess they gave up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am old but still would not know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.

Even on my Apple tablet they both have the same emoji!!

Saltwater crocodiles are huge! And don’t live in the US. If you are in the South it’s an alligator. Easy.

Actually, the rationale for protecting alligators is to preserve the American crocodile which lives in south Florida. But yes, this is a tiny population, so alligators are the vast majority in the south.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am absolutely terrified of alligators 🐊 which is why I could NEVER call Florida home.

I went there only once to visit Disneyworld and two weeks later a little boy was killed by one at a resort we stayed next to.

Being a non-native, I could see myself allowing my child to be in the water there since I wouldn’t think an alligator would reside in such a resort atmosphere.

Plus during that time the humidity was so unbearable - I would have put my feet into the water to cool off.

I live in Florida and you can’t tell me there weren’t MULTIPLE signs around that pond warning people of alligators. The parents probably ignored them because they were dumb and figured if there was one in the water they would see it. Not factoring that they are fast and move under water. There are signs around the ponds at my local Publix warning of alligators.

Signs went up after that death. The sign before talked about bacterial growth in the water. Before that sign, there was nothing but a "Swim at your own risk."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am absolutely terrified of alligators 🐊 which is why I could NEVER call Florida home.

I went there only once to visit Disneyworld and two weeks later a little boy was killed by one at a resort we stayed next to.

Being a non-native, I could see myself allowing my child to be in the water there since I wouldn’t think an alligator would reside in such a resort atmosphere.

Plus during that time the humidity was so unbearable - I would have put my feet into the water to cool off.

I live in Florida and you can’t tell me there weren’t MULTIPLE signs around that pond warning people of alligators. The parents probably ignored them because they were dumb and figured if there was one in the water they would see it. Not factoring that they are fast and move under water. There are signs around the ponds at my local Publix warning of alligators.

Signs went up after that death. The sign before talked about bacterial growth in the water. Before that sign, there was nothing but a "Swim at your own risk."

+1 I was also there a few weeks before that boys death and remember all they said was "no swimming." They didn't say "no getting in the water" and lots of people were wading. We didn't, because the water looked gross, but you can count me among the ignorant people who thought Disney somehow kept out alligators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well I suppose it's like living in regions that have polar bears. Except that there's way less people in those areas, and those people are much more careful.

The nutsiness in Florida is just mind-blowing.

Gators are not even close to being on the same spectrum of dangerous as polar bears. Polar bears make gators look downright cuddly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of gators in the SE US and there are a lot of people. Given the numbers of both, not that many folks are harmed by alligators every year.

My parents live in a golf community in the south so there are gators quite often. At least once a year they send me a photo of an alligator wandering down their street, or multiple gators on the golf course. What I do find mystifying are the HOAs or community regulations that limit yard-fencing. As a result, houses back up to these ponds and you can't just send your kids outside to play because you can't be certain a gator hasn't wandered into your yard.

I would love that. It would prevent people with kids from moving into the neighborhood. I'd much rather open my door and see an alligator than hear some child screaming from next door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of gators in the SE US and there are a lot of people. Given the numbers of both, not that many folks are harmed by alligators every year.

My parents live in a golf community in the south so there are gators quite often. At least once a year they send me a photo of an alligator wandering down their street, or multiple gators on the golf course. What I do find mystifying are the HOAs or community regulations that limit yard-fencing. As a result, houses back up to these ponds and you can't just send your kids outside to play because you can't be certain a gator hasn't wandered into your yard.

I would love that. It would prevent people with kids from moving into the neighborhood. I'd much rather open my door and see an alligator than hear some child screaming from next door.

Typical southern attitude of somehow wanting to live apart from society while also trying to control society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of gators in the SE US and there are a lot of people. Given the numbers of both, not that many folks are harmed by alligators every year.

My parents live in a golf community in the south so there are gators quite often. At least once a year they send me a photo of an alligator wandering down their street, or multiple gators on the golf course. What I do find mystifying are the HOAs or community regulations that limit yard-fencing. As a result, houses back up to these ponds and you can't just send your kids outside to play because you can't be certain a gator hasn't wandered into your yard.

I would love that. It would prevent people with kids from moving into the neighborhood. I'd much rather open my door and see an alligator than hear some child screaming from next door.

Typical southern attitude of somehow wanting to live apart from society while also trying to control society.

I live in NY. No alligators here, but plenty of children. Alligators would have a lot of options.