Alligators in Miami!!!!! (Everglades: homes, buy, living)

[Hialeah_Rules]

Originally Posted by jambo101

gators are getting more friendly
http://neveryetmelted.com/wp-images/...or-at-door.jpg

lmao

[Reptoid Humidian]

Gatormama, that was awesome! Well put! To the OP I would also reiterate what Gatormama said about the 10 to 15 foot rule. Alligators may be fat and lumbersome, but don't be fooled by those happy jowls, because alligators are still lizards and can run like a lizard. That means "much faster than you!!" So definitely keep at least 10 to 15 feet away, because even though alligators are lazy and not LIKELY to get off their asses to do anything, they still MIGHT!

Also alligators don't often premeditate their kills. You could be standing right next to an alligator for like 15 minutes and he might just ignore you, but without so much as an analytical thought he'll whip around and clomp on your leg, like "Oh look! Food!"

Because they rarely premeditate their kills, it makes it impossible to predict what they're going to do next, because even THEY do not know what they're going to do next, so there's no intentions on their part to betray them and telegraph their next move. They're not like a dog who's trying to sneak meat from the dinner table, because a dog's intentions are so obvious that it's like watching a 4 year old try to maneuver himself next to the cookie jar. With alligators you just never know!





Don't let this guy's cuteness fool you!

[Reptoid Humidian]

And they can be cute....


YouTube - ‪Waving alligator - Cute!‬‏

[Chelito23]

Living along a canal...oh the contrasts. It is much like living in Miami, it has it's pros and cons and can be intoxicatingly beautiful, but it has serious drawbacks as well.

In general, I wouldn't worry about mosquitos moreso mainly because they are EVERYWHERE in South Florida. My house in Little Havana is about as far away from a body of water (river, canal, lake, pond, bay) as you can get along in Miami Dade (which isn't saying much) and mosquitos are just as bad here as they are in the western part of the county. So, don't be too worried about the bugs. You can always have one of those "screen rooms" build around a pool or outside area like I see in Broward quite a bit.

The alligators are another story and yes, the canals have gators. Never let your dog or kids go in or play along a canal. Keep it "neat" as well to avoid too many pests.

Now, with that said, having a water feature is an awesome addition to your yard and if you work it with the right landscaping and outdoor living space it can make you feel like you live in the Garden of Eden. Lots of potential!! But that's another thread...

Oh, I wanted to add, there are "salt water" alligators known as CROCODILES in the bays and estuaries and brachish portions of canals...so you are never totall free from the potential threat. I say this not to scare you but to help you realize that certain areas are off limits for swimming and exploring on foot or alone in the water. And to also never totally let your guard down even if in salt water...but mainly in the bay, close to "natural, non beachified" coastline. Other than that, you don't have to worry about the crocs if you're at a regular beach in general.

[Reptoid Humidian]

Keep your distance from murky water.

[cixcell]

Originally Posted by Reptoid Humidian

Keep your distance from murky water.

i cant quite agree with that. i could never go swamp walking if i did that.

[Reptoid Humidian]

Originally Posted by cixcell

i cant quite agree with that. i could never go swamp walking if i did that.

What would your general rule be?

[cixcell]

stay alert =) and poke around with a stick

[Three Wolves In Snow]

Originally Posted by Chelito23

Living along a canal...oh the contrasts. It is much like living in Miami, it has it's pros and cons and can be intoxicatingly beautiful, but it has serious drawbacks as well.

In general, I wouldn't worry about mosquitos moreso mainly because they are EVERYWHERE in South Florida. My house in Little Havana is about as far away from a body of water (river, canal, lake, pond, bay) as you can get along in Miami Dade (which isn't saying much) and mosquitos are just as bad here as they are in the western part of the county. So, don't be too worried about the bugs. You can always have one of those "screen rooms" build around a pool or outside area like I see in Broward quite a bit.

The alligators are another story and yes, the canals have gators. Never let your dog or kids go in or play along a canal. Keep it "neat" as well to avoid too many pests.

Now, with that said, having a water feature is an awesome addition to your yard and if you work it with the right landscaping and outdoor living space it can make you feel like you live in the Garden of Eden. Lots of potential!! But that's another thread...

Oh, I wanted to add, there are "salt water" alligators known as CROCODILES in the bays and estuaries and brachish portions of canals...so you are never totall free from the potential threat. I say this not to scare you but to help you realize that certain areas are off limits for swimming and exploring on foot or alone in the water. And to also never totally let your guard down even if in salt water...but mainly in the bay, close to "natural, non beachified" coastline. Other than that, you don't have to worry about the crocs if you're at a regular beach in general.

Actually, alligators and crocodiles are two different things. There are only two species of alligator: American and what little they have left in China. They are fresh water. Crocs are mainly salt water although there is a species or two that are fresh water but not in Florida.

You can find crocs in brackish water as well...crocs are more aggressive than gators but the ones in FL aren't nearly as aggressive as in other parts of the world.

There aren't that many crocs left in Florida for the very reason stated...salt water...well, what is near salt water? Beaches. What is on beaches? People. Hence, way, way lower number of crocs. But, yes, when around brackish or salt water, be careful, they are more aggressive. And you bet your hind end those crocs are protected. Do not mess with gators or crocs.

By the way, two very good ways to tell the difference between the two: Gators have the rounded "U" shaped nose or snout, crocs have a longer, "V" shaped nose. Gators are dark gray to black, crocs tend to be a lighter gray to green. Yes, there are other ways to tell the difference...these are two ways you can do it from a nice SAFE distance. Those other ways, you're probably too close.

[perry335654]

Juat show an alligator a handbag and that will scare them off. LOL!!!