Living With Alligators

Alligators and humans have shared the marshes, swamps and lakes of the southeastern United States for many centuries. Native Indians and early European pioneers occasionally utilized this reptile for food, but not until fashion markets began producing alligator skin products did this prehistoric reptile become heavily hunted. A century of unrestricted and unregulated hunting depleted most accessible populations. Even after the passage of State regulations governing the harvest of alligators during the 1940s, alligator populations continued to decline due to extensive poaching. It was not until 1970, when federal laws prohibited the interstate shipment of alligators, that these reptiles were afforded effective protection. The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 provided further support.

Shortly after their protection began, alligators rapidly repopulated areas once heavily hunted. Surveys established by the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission indicated progressive increases from 1974 to 1985. During that same period Florida experienced tremendous human population growth. That trend continues today, with approximately 1,000 people moving to Florida daily. Many of these new residents seek homes on waterfront property, resulting in increased interactions between humans and alligators.

Although most Floridians have learned to coexist with alligators, the potential for conflict always exists. Because of their predatory nature and large size, alligators can, and occasionally are attack victims and in rare instances are killed by large alligators. Between 1973 and 1990, 127 alligator attacks on human were documented with five of those resulting in fatalities. Although this number of attacks may seem high, they constitute a very small percentage of water-related incidents compared to those involving water skiing, scuba diving and boating mishaps. Even though human/alligator interactions rarely result in attacks, there are many precautions that people can take to reduce potential conflicts. This information provides everyday safety tips and "do/don't" suggestions for avoiding potential conflicts with alligators.

Safety tips....

The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission receives nearly 10,000 alligator-related complaints annually. The vast majority of these complaints deal with alligators occurring in places such as garages, back yards, pools, golf-course water hazards and ditches. In many cases, if left unmolested, alligators eventually will retreat to more preferred habitats away from people. However, if you encounter an animal that poses a threat to human safety:

DON'T- kill, harass, molest, or attempt to move the animal. State law prohibits such actions, and the potential for being bitten or injured by a thrashing alligator is high.

DO- call a regional office of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. the Commission will evaluate you report and, if necessary, contact a licensed agent of the Commission and instruct him to remove the animal.

Florida contains approximately 7,500 freshwater lakes and tens of thousands of acres of marsh and wooded swamp. Many of these areas attract people for a variety of water-related activities, including swimming, skiing, fishing and hunting. To ensure the time you spend in or around water does not result in conflicts with alligators:

DON'T- swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might contain large alligators.

DO- swim with a partner within all marked swimming areas. These areas are specifically situated and designed to reduce potential alligator/human conflicts.

DON'T- swim at night or dusk when alligators most actively feed.

DO- use ordinary common care. Swim during daylight hours. Avoid areas with thick vegetation along shorelines; these areas provide good natural habitat for large alligators.

DON'T- feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans when fed.

DO- inform others that feeding alligators is a violation of state law and that by feeding alligators, people create problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.

DON'T- throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators, the end result can be the same.

DO- dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans situated at boat ramps or fish camps.

DON'T- allow pets to swim in waters known to contain large alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. Dogs suffer many more attacks than humans, probably because dogs more closely resemble natural prey items of large alligators.

DO- swim your pets in areas not inhabited by large alligators. Keep your pet away from areas of heavy vegetation, and maintain your dog within command distance.

Prior to their legal protection, alligators were sold in pet stores and souvenir shops as novelty items. Florida law now strictly protects alligators, and only specially licensed persons may possess a live alligator. Therefore, it is recommended that you:

DON'T- remove any alligators from their natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so. Alligators do not become tame in captivity, and handling even small ones may result in bites.

DO- enjoy seeing and photographing wild alligators. Remember, they're and important part of Florida's natural history, as well as an integral component of many wetland ecosystems.

Based on fossil records, scientists have determined that crocodilians have existed for about 150 million years, surviving beyond dinosaurs and flying reptiles. Today, however, habitat destruction and indiscriminate hunting endanger many crocodilian species. In the United States, most alligator populations have rebounded from hunting and poaching pressure due to effective laws regulating the taking and transportation of alligators and alligator products. In Florida, rapidly increasing populations of both people and alligators have led to a progressive rise in the number of alligator-related complaints. Although the majority of problems with alligators relate to their being in places where they aren't wanted, a small number are tragically linked to alligator attacks. The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission removes approximately 4,000 alligators per year to reduce opportunities for such tragic occurrences. Through the removal of these alligators and increased awareness on the part of the public, the number of alligator attacks that occur annually has remained constant in spite of the increases in alligator and human populations in Florida.

Residents and visitors alike must realize that alligators are an important part of Florida's heritage, and that these prehistoric reptiles play an important role in the ecology of Florida's wetlands. An understanding of these facts and broader knowledge of alligator habits will ensure that humans and alligators continue their long-term coexistence.