Living with Alligators
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission receives more than 15,000 alligator-related complaints
annually. The vast majority of these complaints deal with alligators occurring in places such as
backyard ponds, canals, ditches and streams, but they also turn up in garages, pools and golf
course water hazards. In many cases, if left unmolested, alligators eventually will retreat to
more preferred habitat away from people. However, if you encounter an alligator that poses a
threat to human safety:
Do's and Don'ts
- Don't - kill, harass, molest or attempt to move alligators. State law prohibits such action and the potential for being bitten or injured by a provoked alligator is high.
- Do - call your FWC regional office (1-888-402-3922 or # FWC or *FWC on your cell phone). The FWC will evaluate your report and, if necessary, send a licensed agent to remove the animal.
- Don't - allow small children to play by themselves in or around water.
- Do - closely supervise children when playing in or around water.
- 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 located and designed to reduce potential alligator/human conflicts.
- Don't - swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.
- Do - use ordinary common care. Swim only during daylight hours.
- Don't - feed or entice alligators - it's illegal. 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 at most boat ramps or fish camps.
- Don't - allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in waters not known to be free of 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. Alligators are more likely to attack small animals than larger ones.
- Do - swim and exercise your pets in areas not inhabited by alligators. Maintain your dog within command distance.
- 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 viewing and photographing wild alligators. Remember that they're an important part of Florida's natural history, as well as an integral component of many wetland ecosystems.
For more information, please see http://www.wildflorida.org/gators/default.htm