Alligators - fresh water - how far from Houston? (Sugar Land: neighborhoods, living)

[robertpolyglot]

Ok, you must think I'm nuts, but this is an issue in Florida. With suburbs going further out and the prevalence of canals, small lakes, these toothy ba$tard$ are in fact there...and every once in a while, there are run-ins with humans. (There's a current thread under "Florida.")

Now, I've seen the map of the alligator population and it does extend to Texas. Also, Houston is called The Bayou City.

That being said, how far does one have to go from Houston metro before alligators in small bodies of fresh water become sort of a "given?" Or, in fresh water, such as creeks and lakes, are they removed and relocated as the population starts to encroach into the hinterlands?

[Mr. Football]

There are Alligators in Spring Creek, Cypress Creek, Buffalo Bayou, Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, Clear Lake, Brazoria County, Sugar Land, creeks, bayous, ponds, etc.

A few years ago, an alligator was hit trying to cross Memorial Dr. over near the park. Another was caught swimming in the Cinco Ranch community pool. Another 15 footer was pulled out of the Lake Conroe Dam.

From what I understand, they're pretty much all over the Houston area. Rarely seen, though (I've never seen one myself here in the wild). If it settles your mind any, I think there's yet to be a single recorded death due to Alligator attack in the State of Texas.

[BoydS]

Living near Oyster Creek in SE Fort Bend county I will say there are occurances of them being here but not a nusance. A few years back there was a 12 footer that was run over on Hwy 6 near Lake Olympia. The wildlife department was there when I passed by. They loaded the gator in a truck and drove off. I assume it was taken to a safe haven.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by Mr. Football

There are Alligators in

Lake Conroe, Lake Houston, Clear Lake

an alligator was hit trying to cross Memorial Dr. over near the park.

If it settles your mind any, I think there's yet to be a single recorded death due to Alligator attack in the State of Texas.

Wait, aren't these lakes all ringed by nice, newer residential neighborhoods...and, don't people go swimming in these very fresh water lakes, complete with roped in designated swimming areas?

Memorial Dr., right near the city...WOW

Right, I've seen that statistic for the state of Texas. In Florida, there are occasional deaths. In most cases, it's because of the overwhelming dose of bacteria from their all their filth that overpowers the immune system such that the antibiotics can't counter the infection(s) in time.

[tstone]

Clear Lake is brackish.

Never seen one around the city or the burbs before but saw a few about 15 years ago in the Conroe area.

[jfre81]

They taste like chicken.

[Huckleberry3911948]

in east houston in san jacinto river areas they got alligator gars. but never hear of gators in houston.

however here on the coast.....

we have gators of a sort here
cell phone tail gators.
one tore up back of my car
last month.

[bostoner]

^^LOL

[R3triever]

LOL...I live out on Taylor Lake in Seabrook....saw my first gator in the Lake last year around this time. He spent 5 days swimming around my boat dock!
A neighbor just told me this morning they saw one out on the Lake last night. I'm amazed there has not been any attacks. The Lake is a huge attraction to kneeboarders, skiiers and tubing! I think twice now about venturing out on the jetski!

[tstone]

Actually, no surprise there haven't been any attacks there. Alligators are generally timid towards humans, unless you're messing with a nest or babies - then again, what animal wouldn't attack in that situation?

Crocodiles on the other hand, different story altogether when it comes to random attacks on humans... and fortunately there are none around here.