{"id":4001,"date":"2018-07-28T16:13:02","date_gmt":"2018-07-28T20:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/?page_id=4001"},"modified":"2022-01-18T12:03:22","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T17:03:22","slug":"alligator-sighting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/residents\/alligator-sighting\/","title":{"rendered":"Alligator Sighting?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/alligator-sign-dont-feed-1-300x300.png\" alt=\"-\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" title=\"\">The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) is administered by the FWC&#8217;s Division of Hunting and Game Management. SNAP is one of five components of Florida&#8217;s comprehensive Alligator Management Program. Its mission is to address complaints concerning alligators.<\/p>\n<p>Persons with concerns about an alligator may call our toll-free\u00a0<strong>Nuisance Alligator Hotline\u00a0<\/strong>at\u00a0<strong>866-FWC-GATOR (<a href=\"tel:866-392-4286\">866-392-4286<\/a>)<\/strong>. Generally, an alligator may be deemed a nuisance if it is at least four feet in length and the caller believes it poses a threat to people, pets or property.<\/p>\n<p>SNAP uses contracted nuisance alligator trappers throughout the state to remove alligators from locations where they are unwanted or unwelcome. If a complaint meets the qualifying criteria, SNAP will issue a permit to a contracted nuisance alligator trapper authorizing the removal of the animal.<\/p>\n<p>Complainants must be able to grant legal access to the property on which the alligator is located. SNAP does not permit the removal of nuisance alligators from private or publicly managed property without first obtaining permission from the property owner or management authority.<\/p>\n<p>In 2017, SNAP received 13,210 nuisance alligator complaints resulting in the removal of 8,455 nuisance alligators.<\/p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\"  id=\"_ytid_37332\"  width=\"480\" height=\"270\"  data-origwidth=\"480\" data-origheight=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bdsusVjxAn4?enablejsapi=1&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&modestbranding=0&rel=1&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"YouTube player\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe>\n<h1 id=\"parent-fieldname-title\">Alligator Safety<\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/BBend-alligator-1-300x210.jpg\" alt=\"-\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" title=\"\">Population growth and the tourism industry have increased the frequency of human-alligator interactions in Florida. You can prevent unpleasant encounters by following our tips.<\/p>\n<p>Stay safe around alligators by following these rules:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Leave alligators alone.<\/strong>\u00a0Alligators are shy animals that usually avoid human contact.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pay attention.<\/strong>\u00a0Keep an eye on your surroundings near fresh or brackish waters. Avoid vegetation-filled areas of rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.<\/p>\n<p><b>Do not feed or harass alligators.<\/b> Feeding alligators is illegal. Alligators that are fed will come to associate humans with food and will lose their natural fear.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Keep an eye on your pets.<\/strong>\u00a0Dogs are in more danger from alligators than humans, because they resemble the reptiles&#8217; natural prey. Do not let your dog swim in waters where you know alligators live.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Remember the odds.<\/strong>\u00a0You are more likely to be struck by lightning than attacked by an alligator in Florida.<\/p>\n<h3>Other tips:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Retreat<\/b>:\u00a0 Keep 30 feet away from alligators at all times. If you get too close, back away slowly. Do not assume that alligators are slow and sluggish. They are extremely quick and agile and will defend themselves when cornered. \u00a0They rarely chase people, but they can outrun or out swim the fastest person for the first 30 feet.<\/li>\n<li><b>Hiss<\/b>:\u00a0 If an alligator hisses, it&#8217;s warning you that you are too close. Back away slowly.<\/li>\n<li><b>Protect<\/b>:\u00a0 A female protecting her nest or young may charge if you get too close, but will quickly return to the nest after you leave. Avoid piles of twigs, grasses and\/or soil near the side of the lake. Also avoid any group of small alligators under a foot long.<\/li>\n<li><b>Bask<\/b>:\u00a0 Alligators often bask along the banks of ponds or streams. They are usually warming their bodies; they are not actively hunting. Often a basking alligator will have its mouth open. It is cooling itself, as alligators do not pant or sweat.<\/li>\n<li><b>Pets<\/b>:\u00a0 Pets are the size and shape of common alligator prey. Keep them away from the water&#8217;s edge and on leashes that are no longer than 6 feet. Do not let your pet drink from or enter the water in alligator habitat. Alligators have a keen sense of smell.\u00a0Your pet will be curious, and the alligator may see it as an easy food source.<\/li>\n<li><b>Advance<\/b>:\u00a0 Tell a park employee if an alligator comes toward you when you are walking near the water, especially if it comes out of the water. In many cases, people have fed such alligators.<\/li>\n<li><b>Fishing<\/b>:\u00a0 Do not continue to fish near an alligator that is interested in your fishing line or catch. If an alligator takes your bait or fish, cut your line and move to a new location. Don&#8217;t use a stringer for your fish; keep them in a bucket.<\/li>\n<li><b>Feeding<\/b>:\u00a0 Nuisance alligators are almost always created by park visitors. If you feed alligators on purpose or by throwing fish scraps, alligators will then associate food with people. Nuisance alligators must be moved or euthanized. If you see a nuisance alligator, consider why it is there.<\/li>\n<li><b>Notify<\/b>:\u00a0 Do<b>\u00a0not<\/b>\u00a0attempt to move an alligator! Notify park employees, who can manage the alligator safely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Alligator Dos and Don&#8217;ts<\/h3>\n\n<b><i>Don&#8217;t<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 kill, harass, molest or try to move alligators. It is against state law, and a provoked alligator is likely to bite.<br \/>\n<b><i>Do<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 let park staff know if you encounter a nuisance gator that has lost its fear of people.\n<b><i>Don&#8217;t<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 allow small children to play unsupervised in or around water.<br \/>\n<b><i>Do<\/i><\/b>\u00a0closely supervise children when they play in or around water.\n<b><i>Don&#8217;t<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 swim at night or at dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.<br \/>\n<b><i>Do<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 use ordinary common care. Swim only during daylight hours.\n<b><i>Don&#8217;t<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 feed or entice alligators. When fed, alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans. It is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, to feed an alligator.<br \/>\n<b><i>Do\u00a0<\/i><\/b>\u00a0tell others that feeding alligators creates problems for those who want to use the water for recreation.\n<b><i>Don&#8217;t<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators, the end result is the same.<br \/>\n<b><i>Do<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at most boat ramps or fish camps.\n<b><i>Don&#8217;t<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 remove an alligator from its natural habitat or accept one as a pet. It is a violation of state law to do so. You cannot tame an alligator, and even small ones may bite. In particular, never go near baby alligators or pick them up. They may seem cute and harmless, but mama alligator is nearby, and will protect her clutch.<br \/>\n<b><i>Do<\/i><\/b>\u00a0 enjoy viewing and taking photos of alligators from a safe distance of at least 30 feet. Remember that they&#8217;re an important part of Florida&#8217;s natural history, as well as an integral part of many wetland ecosystems.\n<p>If you want to keep alligators out of your yard, install a fence that is at least four and a half feet tall. Alligators are good climbers-anything lower would not be adequate protection. If you do have a close run-in with an alligator that charges at you, run away fast and straight, not zig-zag. It is unlikely, however, that an alligator will display this behavior unless you are near its nest.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that in Florida, it is illegal to kill or harass alligators; alligators may only be harvested under special licenses and permits issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. If you have a nuisance alligator in your area,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/myfwc.com\/contact\/fwc-staff\/regional-offices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer nofollow\">contact the FWC office\u00a0<\/a>or call 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) is administered by the FWC&#8217;s Division of Hunting and Game Management. SNAP is one of five components of Florida&#8217;s comprehensive Alligator Management Program. Its mission is to address complaints concerning alligators. Persons with concerns about an alligator may call our toll-free\u00a0Nuisance Alligator Hotline\u00a0at\u00a0866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Generally, an alligator may be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4011,"parent":732,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","ub_ctt_via":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":null,"header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":null,"astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-800x536.jpg","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-800x536.jpg",800,536,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-300x201.jpg",300,201,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-768x515.jpg",768,515,true],"large":["https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-800x536.jpg",800,536,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-800x536.jpg",800,536,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/big-gator-almost-submerged-1-800x536.jpg",800,536,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Sean Ford","author_link":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/author\/seanskilledrealestate-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) is administered by the FWC&#8217;s Division of Hunting and Game Management. SNAP is one of five components of Florida&#8217;s comprehensive Alligator Management Program. Its mission is to address complaints concerning alligators. Persons with concerns about an alligator may call our toll-free\u00a0Nuisance Alligator Hotline\u00a0at\u00a0866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Generally, an alligator may be&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4001"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4001\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chapeltrailliving.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}