President’s Corner – April 2025 – Alligators!

It’s that time of year again! And I get to use my favorite alligator meme – again!

I know I have written on this subject before, but we live in an environment that we share with our friends, the alligators. Spring is mating season, which means some extra precautions and knowledge of alligators is essential to living with them in harmony. They were, after all, here first and they deserve our respect. This means taking the time to get to know them and their habits a little bit better. And, not to scare anyone, but, you all know how close we are to Lake Washington, right? Well, the largest alligator caught in Florida, based on length, was a 14-foot, 3.5-inch male found in Lake Washington in 2010. So, this just illustrates how important it is to get to know our gator neighbors.

If you’ve lived in Florida long enough, you know we share our beautiful state with some pretty incredible wildlife, including the American alligator. These prehistoric reptiles aren’t just a quirky part of our ecosystem, they’re a key part of it. With an estimated 1.3 million alligators roaming every county in the state, chances are you’ll encounter one eventually. And, now that spring has sprung, temperatures are rising, and alligator mating season approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises us to be vigilant and exercise caution around bodies of water. Mating season in Florida typically begins in April and runs through early summer, with peak activity in May. As temperatures rise, male alligators become more vocal and territorial, often bellowing to attract females and warn off rivals. This increased activity means you’re more likely to spot alligators moving around, sometimes even crossing roads or appearing in unexpected places. It’s also when alligator encounters with people and pets are more likely to occur, making it especially important to stay alert near freshwater areas. During this time, keeping a safe distance and following FWC safety guidelines is key to coexisting peacefully with these ancient reptiles.

Now, while serious injuries caused by alligators are rare (Florida averages only eight medically serious unprovoked bites per year), it’s still smart to know how to coexist safely. The FWC has some simple, common-sense tips that go a long way. For starters, always keep your distance. If you spot an alligator near the water’s edge or sunning itself in your neighborhood retention pond, resist the urge to get closer or snap that perfect photo. And if you’re walking your dog, keep them leashed and well away from the water. Alligators can easily mistake pets for prey.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who feed alligators. This is actually illegal and can cause alligators to lose their natural fear of humans. Unfortunately, we do have a couple of people here in Viera that feed the alligators regularly. One particular person in Sierra Cove comes to mind. However, feeding alligators is the absolute worst thing you can do. In addition to losing their fear of humans, this basically is a death sentence for the alligator because once they are no longer afraid, they pose a threat to their environment and become a nuisance alligator. Feeding them is not being kind, it is destroying them.

Now let’s talk about the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program, or SNAP. Through this program, FWC dispatches contracted nuisance alligator trappers to remove alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets, or property. If you spot one you’re concerned about, especially if it’s over 4 feet long, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn and feeding them is both dangerous and illegal. When alligators begin to associate people with food and become a danger to the public, they are then considered a nuisance and are candidates for removal, but I use the term “removal” very loosely. It’s really murder. Adult alligators who are identified as a nuisance alligator are killed by the trapper when anyone calls to report an alligator, regardless if they are truly a danger or not. Folks are afraid of alligators, and rightly so, but there are those who call SNAP on every alligator they see regardless of what the alligator is doing.  Click here to read the handy publication, A Guide to Living with Alligators.

As always, respect the wildlife, follow FWC guidelines, and we can all enjoy Florida’s natural beauty – gators and all! So, until next time, get to know your local alligator but, “Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.” – Cordell Hull

Eva M. Rey, President
Central Viera Community Association, Inc.