It's illegal to feed alligators in Florida, or harass them. You can't buy, sell, possess, transport or import any American alligator or their eggs without a permit. The law is fuzzy on petting them, but it's probably not a good idea. Tampa resident Jasmine Heron was walking her dog on June 12 when she caught sight — and video — of a woman in her complex casually stroking an alligator. The gator had been living in the complex's retention pond for a few months, she said. Fortunately, the woman was not bitten, although in the short video the reptile opens its mouth at her a few times. The gator-scratches are a little over a month after a
woman canoeing on Lake Kissimmee
was killed by an alligator after she went into the water and apparently landed on it, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. On March 3, a
woman was bitten on the elbow while kayaking in the same area. Although alligators are present in
all every county in Florida , they usually avoid humans and injuries from attacks are rare. But more frequent alligator-human conflicts are likely as our population and housing rapidly expand and push them out of their natural habitats. "Remember, never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one," the FWC said on its website. "Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water."
When is alligator mating season in Florida?
Alligators typically breed and look for new habitats in the spring and summertime, which means there could be an increase in alligator activity during those months. Courtship begins in early April, and mating begins in May or June, the FWC said. Nesting and hatching eggs will occur through early September. Before and during mating season, gators will be much more active than usual, which means more human encounters and more chances of dangerous outcomes. According to wildlife officials, the reptiles are most active
between dusk and dawn .
How often do alligator attacks occur in Florida?
While gator attacks aren't uncommon in Florida, deaths from them are. The FWC says the chances of a Florida resident being seriously injured in an unprovoked alligator attack are
one in 3.1 million .
Where the gators are: Spring is in the air and Florida alligators are looking for love. What lakes have the most? How to avoid getting attacked or killed by a Florida alligator
How can you
avoid getting attacked by an alligator ? Mostly, avoid them in the first place. If you are bitten, get immediate medical attention. Alligator bites often result in serious infections
that can be fatal .
What do I do if I see an alligator?
If you encounter an alligator you think will be a threat to people, pets or property, call the FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1‐866‐FWC‐GATOR (392‐4286) or visit
myfwc.com . The FWC’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators 4 feet in length or greater that are believed to pose a threat. And don't pet them.
