Gators!

[MsTessP]

I've been told "if you see a body of water here in FL - anything from a large puddle or small stream to a large lake or river - assume that there are gators in it".

We are considering moving to FL when we retire, but I'm very concerned about living on a lakeside property because of our dog - even though she is a big dog (75 lbs).

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I always look but never see any gators when we at Disney World. I would love to see one but at the same time if I ever do I hope there is a safe distance between the gator and me. Call me chicken if you will but I would love to see one just not up close and personal!

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you'd like to see one, I almost always see one or two on the way to WDW, looking out the window of the DME bus by the little ponds.

 

[Sammie]

And don't forget they are at HHI too, this is the story about the one at someone 's door in 2006. I guess it is a good warning about grilling out.

Not for those that have gator phobia.

http://www.voccoquan.com/ephemera/gator at the door.htm

 

[miprender]

And don't forget they are at HHI too, this is the story about the one at someone 's door in 2006. I guess it is a good warning about grilling out.

Not for those that have gator phobia.

http://www.voccoquan.com/ephemera/gator at the door.htm

That would freak me out.

But like another PP I am more worried about the snakes. I am still traumatized by the story a few years ago about the boy who was bit by a snake at CB.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2465052&highlight=son+bit+by+snake

 

[Sammie]

That would freak me out.

But like another PP I am more worried about the snakes. I am still traumatized by the story a few years ago about the boy who was bit by a snake at CB.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2465052&highlight=son+bit+by+snake

Yes every time I see kids playing in the shrubs or cutting through them instead of staying on the path, I think of that. I am amazed at how many people think that would never happen at Disney.

 

[nolanboys]

Yes every time I see kids playing in the shrubs or cutting through them instead of staying on the path, I think of that. I am amazed at how many people think that would never happen at Disney.

Good to see this warning. I knew about the gators, although we have never seen any, but I honestly knew nothing about the poisonous snakes. We have 4 boys who are always running around, so I now know how important it is to stay on the paths. Thanks!:

 

[JimMIA]

I agree with Bill the pigmy rattlers and water mocassins concern me more than the Gators.

I will say though that recent photo of one in Florida, at someone's door was scary.

WDW is in Florida, so of course there are snakes there. Actually, snakes are much more numerous than alligators -- they are everywhere, wet or dry.

The vast majority of snakes are non-venomous, but there are at least 4 venomous species at WDW: Eastern Diamondback (largest and most dangerous venomous snake in North America), Water Moccasin (cottonmouth), Pygmy Rattlesnake, and Coral Snake. I would not be surprised to learn that there are also Canebrake Rattlesnakes and Copperheads there as well, but not sure about that.

Like most wild animals, snakes are not looking for encounters with humans, so we often walk right by them without noticing them. They are ambush hunters, so they lie motionless with some cover until something to eat comes along. When we approach, they just freeze and we don't see them, but if they are startled or harassed (in their opinion -- doesn't matter what our intentions are) they might bite. That's why Sammie's advice to keep kids from poking into or cutting through brushy areas is important.

Contrary to the old wives tales you hear, it's very difficult to tell whether a snake is venomous by appearance. There is just too much variation within species, and some non-venomous snakes look very similar. The general rule is, if you can see definitive proof that a snake is venomous you are WAY too close.

In addition, just because a snake is non-venomous doesn't mean it won't bite. Any wild animal will bite, and some non-venomous snakes (brown water snake, African rock python, reticulated python) are very aggressive biters, much more aggressive than any venomous snake.

If you see a snake, just stay a few feet away and you'll be fine.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Opps

 

[londonderrydisneyfan]

Yes every time I see kids playing in the shrubs or cutting through them instead of staying on the path, I think of that. I am amazed at how many people think that would never happen at Disney.

The year before the boy got bit my kids were running through the shrubs at BCV and I told them to stop, but that was because I didn't want them to damage the shrubs not because I thought they could get hurt. Now I make sure they stay as close to the middle of the sidewalk as possible, my wife laughs at me but I can't help it.

 

[GenieCat]

Rippy the Gator

 

[GenieCat]

.

 

[disneychic]

I used to live in Florida (First Boca for 2 years, then we moved to Central Florida for 8 years) and it doesn't matter which part of the state you are in -- 4', 7' or 10' gators do not seem to cause any alarm. As others have said, we're on their turf.

 

[fishermouse]

A trained eye can pick out a venomous snake very easily, how many vacationers have a trained eye. An often overlooked problem is that non venomous snakes often carry bacteria in their mouth. They eat rodents rodents carry any types of bacteria and snakes can transfer tat through a bite. 99.9% of the time snakes will not bother you inless provoked, exception would be wAter moccasins, they are down right mean. Gators will run given the chance.

 

[Sammie]

I am more surprised that people think there are no gators at WDW, than seeing a gator at WDW.

We have seen one every trip.

 

[JimMIA]

A trained eye can pick out a venomous snake very easily, how many vacationers have a trained eye.

I have a trained eye, and am around snakes in the Everglades every day. I can identify most native species by sight, but about once a week I'm not sure. I wouldn't bet my life (or fingers, which is much more realistic) on my "expertise."

...exception would be wAter moccasins, they are down right mean.

Not true. They're actually quite pleasant and have wonderful senses of humor.

Fact is, most snakes will either flee or freeze when they detect humans (or any other potential predator). Water snakes generally -- venomous or non-venomous -- will not only not flee, they will stand their ground and defend themselves. Several of the non-venomous water snakes are actually MUCH more aggressive biters than cottonmouths.

Snakes just don't move quickly enough to be mean. And not for nothing, almost all venomous snake bites are to the fingers...which should tell us something about the relative intelligence of snakes and humans.

Gators will run given the chance.

Yes and no. Alligators in the backcountry tend to flee, especially from airboats (except at night).

Alligators in areas where there are humans tend to become accustomed to humans as long as they are left alone and are not fed. They won't flee; in fact, they won't pay much attention to humans.

Alligators who are fed by humans a) lose their natural fear of humans, and b) associate humans with food...which is one bad thing piled on top of another bad thing. Fed alligators become VERY aggressive.

 

[Sugarglider]

Rippy the Gator

LOL! thanks for this link! Coming from the land of the salt water crocodile and venomous snakes and other bitey things everywhere, I suppose we have grown up with a bit more education about keeping safe. But Rippy made me smile!

 

[Arthur27]

Go Gators!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Go Gators!!

I just can't say where I want them to go on a family message board

 

[luckyman_apd]

Alligators who are fed by humans a) lose their natural fear of humans, and b) associate humans with food...which is one bad thing piled on top of another bad thing. Fed alligators become VERY aggressive.

This amazes me.....hey a gator....lets feed it! Humans are by far the smartest....and dumbest of all living things on this planet. Almost every wild animal fears a human more than that human fears it......except those at the deepest depths of the ocean which have not had any contact with humans. Feeding a wild animal is the surest way to put other humans in danger.......but hey, after all its cute isn't it? Little 3 ft gator eating popcorn chicken from me.

Snakes.....I love them...at a distance. Came close to a cottonmouth once in NC before I realized it was a cottonmouth. Identified after with the close up pictures. Let them be, stay on HUMAN paths and enjoy yourself, but no one should live in fear of them either.