Alligators and snakes???

[KSoda]

My daughter just asked me why or if there are any wild alligators and snakes in Disney World. If not, how do they keep them out?

 

[themudd4]

not sure about gators...have never seen any. Snakes on the other hand...in June one crossed right in front of me on the pathway at POR.

 

[perdidochas]

My daughter just asked me why or if there are any wild alligators and snakes in Disney World. If not, how do they keep them out?

They are around, mainly in the uncrowded areas of the park. The main thing is that alligators and snakes are shy, quiet creatures. They don't want to be around people. Also, any big gator will be moved away from people.

 

[Makua]

I live right near the MK and there are plenty of snakes and gators. However I rarely see either. You know how they say the critters are more afraid of you than you are of them. I'm not sure that applies in my case! The few times I have seen snakes they rushed off in the opposite direction. Most of the gators have been in the water and you just see the tops of their noses and eyes. It can be fun to have the kids look for them in the ponds as you're driving around. I did come across a very large one who was impersonating a speed bump in the middle of the road. I was suprised at how fast he moved once he heard the car, I didn't even have time to grab the camera which was right next to me! Just reassure her that they are not there to hurt her but that they live nearby. Have a magical trip.

 

[Snork]

There was a gator living in the lake at CSR last time my wife and I were there. People were feeding it food off one of the docks. Crazy....

I have also seen snakes at POR. But only the hind ends of them as they were slithering towards bushes.

 

[mickey mouse lover]

We saw an alligator at the Beach Club last year when we were there.

 

[KarenW]

There was a gator living in the lake at CSR last time my wife and I were there. People were feeding it food off one of the docks. Crazy....

Hey, there's a bright idea.

 

[Mur13]

I've seen a snkae eat a mouse there and just hang out on the sidewalk at animal kingdom. He was digesting, so they couldn't really move him. They just roped him off.

 

[steffali]

I can see I will not be looking down on the ground :

 

[KSoda]

They are around, mainly in the uncrowded areas of the park. The main thing is that alligators and snakes are shy, quiet creatures. They don't want to be around people. Also, any big gator will be moved away from people.

People feed them and that is not only ignorant and stupid, but it is purely dangerous as the gators loose their fear of man, their next feeding just may be the house pet or worse, a child. WE SHOULD NEVER FEED WILDLIFE, ESPECIALLY PREDITORS! If they want to watch a gator or croc feed, head to Gatorland zoo. Crocky, we miss Steve Erwin, God rest his wonderful soul.

 

[KSoda]

Now that we bring up gators, crocs and snakes in WDW, other than the Animal Kingdom staff, does anyone know of a wildlife program at WDW to control, relocate and protect preditory reptiles in the wild there? My sister lives in Englewood, FL. and has had HUGE rattle snakes come into her yard, as well as bobcats, and her husband has mentioned he spotted a cougar (or a panther), so, we wonder, because here in Connecticut along the coastline, our newest preditor is the coyote which has been after all the turkey and mice for the most part, but now, just last week, not 2 miles from us, a huge coyote was sunning in someones yard and luckily, the persons dog went after it but was out of reach by a chain link fence. The photos taken showed vary large canines and a hunched spine. So, although facinated by wildlife, I teach my kids never to feed them and we wonder how much worse it can be in Florida. We visited Sanibel Island some years ago and wow, a gator which must have been at least ten feet was inching his way toward us as we stood at a rest area eating ice cream, he was not afraid of us in the least bit. Other family members we have living in Florida tell of simular stories. We know the gators and crocs for the most part don't pose immediate threats, but I worry most about the one that has no fear of humans or our pets, like the X-Files says, keep you're freinds close, but keep you're enemies closer! I don't think I want to keep a gator close, I will respect what they could do to us

 

[Makua]

Disney does have a wild life program, I can't think of the name at the moment.(Check back with me at 2 in the morning, thats when I'll remember!) They used to give tours there. It's south of the parks. I know they trapped and removed some of the deer from the park last year because they were overpopulated. They also trap and remove gators over a certain size or if they are deemed dangerous. Disney is actually very good about eco and environmental issues.

 

[MazdaUK]

We saw the gators at CSR and they were not as big as the ones at KSC!

We also saw a snake at CSR (DS(13) walked right past it!) and at AKL. Both small black ones which slithered off PDQ

 

[Lostgirlz]

Being born and raised in Bayou country there is not much you can do about either down in Florida. Yes, Be catious, No don't walk in high brush, Don't reach under things such as bushes. Gators while some say are shy have been known to get agressive. Hence incidents not long ago. Especially during mating season. I am HIGHLY afraid of snakes, and I am not real found of gators as to me they always look like they are thinking of you as lunch. Best thing to do just don't go dipping feet/swimming in ponds and such while there. If people are feeding them then later that willbecome a problem, as they will see people as a source of food. Just be weary of your surroundings, and have fun try not to stress out on the what if's.

 

[nicoleakr]

I guess I have a question about the gators too......if they are all over wdw then how is it safe to go water sking in the ponds and lakes?

 

[diseyore]

As I have been told when moving to Florida. If there is an 8 oz glass of water in your house, there is a gator in Florida looking for it.

You can see them, but not generally. We visited Disney for years before moving here and all those years never saw a snake or gator. Cockroaches? yes but not the others. Even since moving here, I have seen a few snakes and 2 alligators in the wild.

 

[byoung]

Saw a gator at the boat docks in front of MK. Have not seen a snake thought.

 

[PiratesFan]

We had a snake pass right in front of us on the sidewalk leading up to Typhoon Lagoon. Personally, I was more concerned with the giant, mutant grasshoppers!

 

[bord1niowa]

We saw an alligator in one of the waterways on the way to EPCOT, but it was a small one. At Fort Wilderness, there was a snake that scared the heck out of a lady and she was standing on a bench by the comfort station until I came along. She had been standing up there for at least 10 minutes before I got there. I told her the snake is long gone now. She finally went back to her camper with a petrified look...lol There is an armadillo living near one of the comfort stations too. One thing we didn't see much of was bugs...AMAZING!!!!! OH, and those lizards were everywhere in Fort Wilderness, cute little guys.

 

[MazdaUK]

We saw a tiny armadillo at CSR but it was gone before I could get my camera out