Gators in the backyard... Really?? (Orlando, Spring Hill: HOA, moving, eat)

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by WellShoneMoon

Many years ago, I was told by an old Floridian, "The safest thing is to assume that any body of water in Florida that is bigger than a rain puddle has at least one gator in it."

I was told the same thing. The bigger the body of water the more gators you will find.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Joey Falcon

well O-town is has more a prob with crime than gators. They will shove a gun in your face, cut your throat, carjack your vehicle, and leave you for dead here.

To be safe don't open your door to anyone u don't know here, day or night. Use Lojack, security systems for home. Do not use ATM at night.

Please provide a link to a news story wherein:
1. A person had a gun shoved in their face.
2. A person who had their throat cut.
3. Someone left for dead.

Dont include any that took place indoors.

Cars get stolen everywhere and have been since they were first put on the road.

LoJack would be a good investment anywhere.

Security systems for home are a good deterrent and they provide 24 hour smoke/fire protection. Great for peace of mind providing you have a plan for when it goes off in the middle of night.

Not using an ATM anywhere in the world would be a good idea.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Vacanegro

Check the stats on gator attacks on people - they are very rare - despite their intimidating appearance.

Your danger is much greater driving to the grocery store.

Yep. They dont get aggressive until you get close to their abode especially when there are baby gators there or chase at them. Ive canoed on several rivers and lakes in FL and have seen many gators catching some rays on a river bank and many just hanging out in the water. Ive never seen one approaching people, even those people swimming nearby. I have seen them leave when people show up though.

[Spring Hillian]

Originally Posted by Restrain

We are more concerned down here with pythons. They show up in yards. Close to preserves, you will have to deal with bears. Coyotes roam the entire area, love small dogs and cats for lunch.

We put up a 6' wood fence, but still have had critters try to dig in. But also, our pups are mighty hunters. We came home to find one of the pups had killed a 2-3' black snake, and had brought it into the house. We come home to see the snake in the living room floor, the pup happily setting by it, wagging her tail. "See what I brought you?" Ugh.

There is just a lot of wildlife down here, you just get used to it.

Our cats like to catch things to bring home. Yep, its a jungle out there.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Our cats like to catch things to bring home. Yep, its a jungle out there.

Our cats do the same thing. Lol. I was doing laundry one day in the garage only to find a large snake head in front of the dryer... Cat followed me into the garage and sat by it, looking at me proudly.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by jambo101

Depends where you live.
Gators main habitats are around lakes so if you have a lake in your backyard you will be more likely to see gators.

This
It's not so much that they're in your backyard.
You're in their backyard

[Arcenal813]

I see them pretty much everytime I go for a jog. They're pretty chill and don't do much, not do they seem to mind me. On the other hand, sand cranes and wild geese are more worrisome and MUCH more aggressive.

[tinytrump]

the OP did not come back??

[poodlestix]

I have been in Florida going on eight years now. When we first moved out here, we lived in a house that a lake in the back. There was a resident gator who would come out frequently to sun himself. He was just a small guy-maybe five feet or so. The house we moved to has no lake, and now we rarely see them.

[poodlestix]

Oh, and welcome to Orlando! I noticed you are moving from Encinitas, which is close to my hometown! I actually like Florida better than I did California. I'm sure you'll adjust just fine.