Alligator safety
With an ever-increasing human population in Florida, sometimes alligators and people can get a little close for comfort… Alligators need to be treated with respect, not just because they can be dangerous, though, but because they are an important part of Florida’s natural history and ecology. Here’s some information about alligators and their habits, so you can keep out of their way.
Alligators live in fresh or brackish water, so pay attention if you are in these surroundings.
Alligators are predators, so don’t let small children play unsupervised in or near water.
Swim only in designated, safe areas. Don’t swim with dogs – alligators attack dogs more often than humans, so dogs might attract an alligator.
Alligators are at their most active during the hours between dusk and dawn so don’t swim between these times.
If you see an alligator, leave it alone and put plenty of distance between you and it. Make sure that you do not inadvertently corner it. Don’t feed it – it will learn to look for food from humans rather than be wary of them, and may become dangerous.
Don’t throw scraps of food away into water. You might attract an alligator!
It is against State law to kill or distress an alligator.
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