Alligators and Snakes in Jax or St. Augustine (Jacksonville, Coral Gables: condo, home)

[apanda]

Originally Posted by nj2fla

or always carry a steak to appease any alligator

Actually, most gators are not a problem until they have become comfortable with frequent contact. (Usually people try to feed them. Go figure!)

[nj2fla]

visit this site for some good alligator info www.myfwc.com/gators

[cellson]

My family has lived in Florida since 1828 and I have never heard of any family members or friends ever having a negative encounter with an alligator...it's a very rare occurance. When they do find themselves in houses or neighborhoods it is usually in South Florida and because their habitat has been invaded by development. I doubt IF one was in the body of water behind your home that it would rise up out of the water and attack you or your children...a small animal? Perhaps. I spent summers and too many weekends to count on Florida lakes and have seen my share of gators. You just respect their space, keep your distance and if you are swimming stay in cleared areas.

As for snakes...read up on the dangerous ones that are in the area. We do have snakes in the yard but they're common non-poisonous garden snakes. In 49 years the only time I've run across a rattle snake was on the boardwalk of Talbot Island...I turned around, gave him his space and an opportunity to continue on his way....and remember, I was in his neck of the woods.

Don't let fear guide you. Use common sense and enjoy your new home...welcome to Floirida!!

[nj2fla]

Originally Posted by cellson

My family has lived in Florida since 1828 and I have never heard of any family members or friends ever having a negative encounter with an alligator...it's a very rare occurance. When they do find themselves in houses or neighborhoods it is usually in South Florida and because their habitat has been invaded by development. I doubt IF one was in the body of water behind your home that it would rise up out of the water and attack you or your children...a small animal? Perhaps. I spent summers and too many weekends to count on Florida lakes and have seen my share of gators. You just respect their space, keep your distance and if you are swimming stay in cleared areas.

As for snakes...read up on the dangerous ones that are in the area. We do have snakes in the yard but they're common non-poisonous garden snakes. In 49 years the only time I've run across a rattle snake was on the boardwalk of Talbot Island...I turned around, gave him his space and an opportunity to continue on his way....and remember, I was in his neck of the woods.

Don't let fear guide you. Use common sense and enjoy your new home...welcome to Floirida!!

while you're right about the negative encounters with alligators, but they aren't only in S Fla or in near developments, there are gators all over around here, we just chased a 6 footer and it's offspring out of my yard today, I am not on a lake but I do border a preservation area, he just wandered in. I've always heard that where you have fresh water in FLA, there is a good chance of a 'gator being around. As for snakes, we had a whole nest of water moccasins removed last fall. I wouldn't live in fear but a good dose of wariness and common sense is necessary

[riveree]

Originally Posted by nj2fla

As for snakes, we had a whole nest of water moccasins removed last fall. I wouldn't live in fear but a good dose of wariness and common sense is necessary

Good point .

And not to scare anyone, but I know someone who lost their dog about a week ago to a poisonous snake. They do not live near water or marsh or anything - they live near the Orange Park mall in OP (Clay county).

Somehow, a coral snake wandered into their yard and their dog got a hold of it. The dog's head swelled up and he turned a funny color and could not breathe. They raced to the vet but it was too late and he died before they got there. I believe the dog was left unsupervised in the backyard, so who knows how long it took them to realize he was in distress. Just a cautionary tale, keep an eye out and know what your kids and dogs are doing in the yard .

[joninclay]

As NJ2FL stated, there is no need to fear snakes or gators. Just keep your eyes open, and all should be fine.

I've seen a gator swimming by the Fleming Island YMCA. So the solution is simple: I don't swim there, and I don't walk my dog there! The gator saw me, went under water, and emerged on the other side of the pond. No big whoop.

I've seen a couple of snakes out here in the sticks of Clay County. Two black racers, and a baby pygmy rattler. I let the racers go on about their business (since they're non-poisonous and slither away quickly after seeing a human), but I took the garden hoe to the rattler, since it was in my yard where my kids play. I haven't seen any others, but I keep my eyes open just to be safe.

Again, no need for fear. Common sense and a decent pair of eyes will go a long way.

[HParr]

Originally Posted by nj2fla

while you're right about the negative encounters with alligators, but they aren't only in S Fla or in near developments, there are gators all over around here, we just chased a 6 footer and it's offspring out of my yard today, I am not on a lake but I do border a preservation area, he just wandered in. I've always heard that where you have fresh water in FLA, there is a good chance of a 'gator being around. As for snakes, we had a whole nest of water moccasins removed last fall. I wouldn't live in fear but a good dose of wariness and common sense is necessary

Oh my gosh nj2fla!
You just chased a 6 foot ALLIGATOR and it's offspring out of your yard the other day?! And you had to get rid of a "NEST" of water moccasins?! Jeeze...don't try to freak me out or anything! Just the thought of that gives me the creepy-crawly-heebie-jeebies! Where in the world do you live at?

[HParr]

Originally Posted by riveree

Good point .

And not to scare anyone, but I know someone who lost their dog about a week ago to a poisonous snake. They do not live near water or marsh or anything - they live near the Orange Park mall in OP (Clay county).

Somehow, a coral snake wandered into their yard and their dog got a hold of it. The dog's head swelled up and he turned a funny color and could not breathe. They raced to the vet but it was too late and he died before they got there. I believe the dog was left unsupervised in the backyard, so who knows how long it took them to realize he was in distress. Just a cautionary tale, keep an eye out and know what your kids and dogs are doing in the yard .

Oooh, I've got to check into these coral snakes and educate my kids!

[HParr]

Originally Posted by joninclay

As NJ2FL stated, there is no need to fear snakes or gators. Just keep your eyes open, and all should be fine.

I've seen a gator swimming by the Fleming Island YMCA. So the solution is simple: I don't swim there, and I don't walk my dog there! The gator saw me, went under water, and emerged on the other side of the pond. No big whoop.

I've seen a couple of snakes out here in the sticks of Clay County. Two black racers, and a baby pygmy rattler. I let the racers go on about their business (since they're non-poisonous and slither away quickly after seeing a human), but I took the garden hoe to the rattler, since it was in my yard where my kids play. I haven't seen any others, but I keep my eyes open just to be safe.

Again, no need for fear. Common sense and a decent pair of eyes will go a long way.

Lord have mercy! I've got to start doing my Florida snake studying today!

[nj2fla]

Originally Posted by HParr

Oh my gosh nj2fla!
You just chased a 6 foot ALLIGATOR and it's offspring out of your yard the other day?! And you had to get rid of a "NEST" of water moccasins?! Jeeze...don't try to freak me out or anything! Just the thought of that gives me the creepy-crawly-heebie-jeebies! Where in the world do you live at?

It's FLA, you WILL encounter gators and snakes, either you'll become conditioned to coexisting with these critters or you'll be miserable. Like others have stated, just be aware and you should be fine. Millions of people live in FLA and 99.9% of the people here never have had an encounter with these critters go bad. Here's another issue for you to get spooked about, watch out for the poisonous spiders and other crawling critters too!