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Thank you Darkmuser, I will do that!
posted by
MountainClimber57
on June 5, 2006 at 9:28 PM
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Actually, that is precisely what is happening. There have been no more
cases of alligators attacking humans here in my neck of the weeds since the young lady here in Pinellas County. Though the national media will play it up for as long as they can continue to get ratings from the story. The mama gator was shot by the way. Her eggs were found a day later, and taken to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. So that is a clutch that is pretty much gauranteed to all hatch. Or at least almost all of them will hatch. There will be some that will not hatch, but most will. The hatchlings will then be taken care of and at about 18 months of age, tagged and released into Lake Magiorie.
The precnetage breakes down to something like thise. Out of 60 or so eggs, only 30-40% hatch. Incubated, the number goes up to about 70%. Chicks raised by mama are well protected, but only about 30% of those that hatched will reach the 18 month age. Of that 30 percent only 12% live to adulthood.
Now take into account that the chicks that will hatch from the clutch taken to Boyd Hill will but up near the 60% mark, there are going to be more juvinile gators in the lake. But still only 12% will reach adulthood.
Please feel free to stop by my blog if you want more information. Admittedly, I have to double check some of my information, but that is most certainly something that I can do. Education is far more preferrable than irrational fear. And the media should educate themselves when doing stories about wildlife in states other than NY, or wherever they are from before doing the story.
darkmuser
posted by
darkmuser
on June 5, 2006 at 9:12 PM
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JasonSycte, I don't life in Florida any more, I live in TN, and
now we have to dodge Tornadoes, and terrible thunderstorms!
posted by
MountainClimber57
on June 5, 2006 at 8:49 PM
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Thanks Darkmuser for that point of view -- maybe the media
is making more of it that it is, but I don't think so!
posted by
MountainClimber57
on June 5, 2006 at 8:47 PM
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I live in FL currently. The gator thing isn't that huge a deal except
during their mating season. The bull alligators can be very aggressive from about mid March to about mid May. Sometimes earlier than that depending on how quickly the spring heat sets in. The biggest problem with alligators is the tourists from out of state that will feed them in spite of all the huge warning signs posted everywhere that gators are known to reside. Then factor in the shrinking habitat, and it is unavoidable that man will come into contact with alligators.
Alligators are not invading human habbitat. It is the other way around, yes, a mama gator is also aggressive. The young lady that was killed in Pinellas County was killed by a young female gator that was gaurding her clutch of eggs. The other 2 people killed were killed by bull alligators during the mating season. I camp in FL every chance I get, and rarely worry about the alligators. Most camping sites are far enough away from water that the only real consideration is the snakes and scorpions. Oh, and the fire ants. Alligators will avoid humans given the chance, and given that they don't get taught to associate humans with food.
darkmuser
posted by
darkmuser
on June 5, 2006 at 8:43 PM
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Glad you didn't get snatched up. Be very careful.
posted by
JasonScyte
on June 5, 2006 at 8:28 PM
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Taps. for the most part, He is right -- You don't have to worry, but
you sure do have to on guard and careful!
posted by
MountainClimber57
on June 5, 2006 at 7:41 AM
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MountainClimber, There are way too many alligators in Florida. I can't believe that my son still takes his three children camping out in the wilds there. I cringe every time he sends me little videos of them jumping into lakes and streams and swiming. Instead of looking at my beautiful grandchildren, I scan the growth at the edges looking for sudden movement of alligators. And he tells me not to worry.
posted by
TAPS.
on June 5, 2006 at 6:36 AM
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Whacky, if you saw the large alligators they have been catching
in Florida, that too would make you gringe!
posted by
MountainClimber57
on June 3, 2006 at 8:31 PM
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Yes, Blackcat30 anything that moves and threatens them!
posted by
MountainClimber57
on June 3, 2006 at 8:30 PM
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Gosh it makes me cringe to think about it.
posted by
Whacky
on June 3, 2006 at 8:08 PM
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do alligators have a natural predator? hmmm...
posted by
-blackcat
on June 3, 2006 at 4:48 PM
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