Florida is a great place to visit. Kick back and relax on the powder white sand of its gorgeous beach line. Soak in the sun. Do a little kayaking. Visit any one of the numerous tourist attractions. Sometimes those tourist attractions include an up-close look at alligators.
But what if those alligators come to you?
That’s right. Florida is an alligator’s natural habitat. So, if you find yourself picnicking at any one of the beautiful state parks and you see a sign near a lovely fresh-water pond saying, “Beware of Alligators,” then take heed.
In Florida, alligators can be found in almost any fresh-water waterway. In any given park. Sometimes residents will find one soaking up the sun in their own backyard. (Just ask Diva Kathy Carmichael…she’ll tell yah all about her experience!).
Quite honestly, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. Try explaining that to your dog however. If you are travelling to Florida with your pet, it’s always a good idea to follow the leash laws and use dog runs when available. Many dogs love water and love to check out what’s floating out in that water. But if a dog gets too close to the water’s edge, it may make a nice lunch for the ‘gator.
Same goes for small children.
Breeding season takes place in April and May. This makes the alligators quite aggressive and protective of their nests. So, be extra careful during this time.
And what if you find yourself getting lunged at by an alligator who then suddenly charges toward you? Zig zag. Alligators see straight ahead, but their peripheral vision isn’t good at all. So if you zig zag while you try to make your escape, then it can’t see you very well and you’ll increase your changes of survival.
But it’s best to view these amazing creatures in a controlled environment, like Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL.
Say, if you do go on vacation with the kiddies, why not learn all you can about ‘gators for that next big school report? You can start at the Audubon website.
Either way…enjoy your stay! –DivaKimbling
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