General Discussion

JonathanRackham

(1,604 posts)

81. They're a major pain in the ass near Florida golf courses.

Reply to pnwmom (Original post)

Wed Jun 15, 2016, 05:48 PM

Jun 2016

Water hazards are extra dangerous. They have million year old predatory brains.

Sorry, those are republicans.

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I admit it, I'm dumb about alligators. [View all] pnwmom Jun 2016 OP

Rule 1 in Florida - where there is water, there can be alligators liberal N proud Jun 2016 #1

And they move from one body of water to another TBA Jun 2016 #11

I didn't see those rules posted when I entered Florida. GeorgeGist Jun 2016 #17

Ignorance is no excuse liberal N proud Jun 2016 #56

When a business invites families onto its property and fails to warn pnwmom Jun 2016 #93

Signs saying no swimming liberal N proud Jun 2016 #115

No, not in other states. It means you don't swim. If they wanted guests to stay out pnwmom Jun 2016 #119

Alligators Rosa Luxemburg Jun 2016 #127

Definitely warning signs about alligators should have been posted. Also on the canals/inlets, just RKP5637 Jun 2016 #185

The problem is the sign didn't say "No swimming because alligators maybe nearby". brush Jun 2016 #158

Who was swimming when the attack happened? N/T RedFury Jun 2016 #162

Swimming/Wading is there really much difference? liberal N proud Jun 2016 #167

In a later report officials were quoted as saying the child was sitting pnwmom Jun 2016 #214

I don't understand this thinking...if I saw a No Swimming sign, I would ask Why? adigal Jun 2016 #196

Yes - there have been brain eating amoeba in Florida waters csziggy Jun 2016 #225

Or if you jump the fence Aerows Jun 2016 #184

"and fails to warn the families of a major hazard" EX500rider Jun 2016 #134

There are two aspects that can make a hazard "major." pnwmom Jun 2016 #135

I'm going to call bs on that. Aerows Jun 2016 #144

From one of the newspapers, a father who grabbed his kid as an alligator headed toward him adigal Jun 2016 #197

If I see a sign that says no swimming, I am staying out of the water liberal N proud Jun 2016 #168

Yes melman Jun 2016 #178

Note "first fatal attack since 2007" rjsquirrel Jun 2016 #182

The demonizing goes beyond the gator. liberal N proud Jun 2016 #189

This isn't Walt Disney we are talking about. truebluegreen Jun 2016 #234

Wherever I go, I check out what kind of wildlife might be around. cwydro Jun 2016 #69

Exactly liberal N proud Jun 2016 #169

You know how other states have raccoons? Scootaloo Jun 2016 #102

My state has plenty of all of the above. Aerows Jun 2016 #175

Rule 1A in Florida...where there is water, there ARE alligators. Lochloosa Jun 2016 #25

The Great Lakes must be covered in them deaniac21 Jun 2016 #38

I didn't realize the Great Lakes were in Florida. GoCubsGo Jun 2016 #45

Huh? liberal N proud Jun 2016 #57

That's a croc. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #66

ba da BOOM! kwassa Jun 2016 #202

There is one huge carniverous reptile near Lake Michigan, bvar22 Jun 2016 #72

Actually, toads are amphibians. But there's still Walker and Snyder n/t Scootaloo Jun 2016 #103

I see what you did there :) n/t Aerows Jun 2016 #187

I played golf recently in Florida. Atman Jun 2016 #154

Exactly liberal N proud Jun 2016 #155

Two club length drop, no penalty. Check that — as many club lengths as needed to avoid being eaten. brush Jun 2016 #159

I'll take a mulligan! n/t Aerows Jun 2016 #183

Including people's pools Ghost of Tom Joad Jun 2016 #161

Also golf courses Ash_F Jun 2016 #215

Yeah, I've had to learn a lot today as well Blue_Tires Jun 2016 #2

I grew up in the parish in Louisisana that has the largest alligator population of any parish. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #3

Louisiana has more alligators than Florida, yet attacks on humans in Louisiana are a rarity Ex Lurker Jun 2016 #18

Could one reason be that there are so many more tourists in Florida? pnwmom Jun 2016 #20

yes, that is a correct answer. ManiacJoe Jun 2016 #43

If you grow up around gators you have a healthy respect for them. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #70

South Louisiana is not exactly a Tourist Mecca. bvar22 Jun 2016 #99

I love this post. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #133

And I LOVE South Lousiana Seafood Gumbo... bvar22 Jun 2016 #138

You're killin' me here. I need to go make some. nolabear Jun 2016 #140

My gumbo takes two days to make. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #141

Don't forget the filet. brush Jun 2016 #163

I've read wheniwasincongress Jun 2016 #151

Tell you one thing, I'd set a record if I was running from a gator. nt raccoon Jun 2016 #160

Population density is more than 3X higher in Florida Cal Carpenter Jun 2016 #28

3rd largest state in union. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #32

Florida has a greater population density Aerows Jun 2016 #40

Humans are also much closer to gators in Florida Scootaloo Jun 2016 #105

They are pretty excellent Aerows Jun 2016 #106

Don't they call them bayous in Louisiana? brush Jun 2016 #164

Or coolies. Like a stream or a canal. Aerows Jun 2016 #177

This message was self-deleted by its author bvar22 Jun 2016 #111

Regularly? No. Overall quite rare given how Hortensis Jun 2016 #59

A place where I fish has some goats that hang out on a hillside near the water Ex Lurker Jun 2016 #63

Any viewing area is likely to draw gators, as some dumb asses feed them... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #65

I certainly believe it about the goats. Friends Hortensis Jun 2016 #82

Fluffy is a gator snack NT 1939 Jun 2016 #128

In te Pan Hndle, hunters had their dogs go missing near a pond. Fnally, someone Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #204

Attacks are very rare. I worry more about moccasins and yellowjackets (yuck!). Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #64

My husband killed a moccasin last spring. Hortensis Jun 2016 #71

The eyes at night are just freaky. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #96

Yes to freaky. But fascinating, too-- Hortensis Jun 2016 #130

Feral hogs. Aerows Jun 2016 #79

Another dubious gift from DeSoto. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #118

The false "fountain of youth" Ponce de Leon Aerows Jun 2016 #146

He spent too much time looking into his own cistern. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #201

The hogs scare me more! Raissa Jun 2016 #208

One you *might* be able to outrun (gators) Aerows Jun 2016 #219

I've thankfully never had to run from one! Raissa Jun 2016 #220

Yep, at dusk Aerows Jun 2016 #75

Exactly - you expect to find them in the water liberal N proud Jun 2016 #170

I have stayed at the Grand before and had dinner there a month or so ago Gothmog Jun 2016 #4

I've seen one gator in my life ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #50

The rule of thumb is that a gator can out run a man for ten to 25 feet on land Gothmog Jun 2016 #74

I was happy, opting for staying in the cart and driving down the other side of the fairway. ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2016 #80

Gators grabbing children is really very rare considering how many kids and gators there are aikoaiko Jun 2016 #5

I think Disney was at fault for not posting the same kind of sign they have at pnwmom Jun 2016 #6

That one sign with the German on it too says to keep away from water's edge in addition adigal Jun 2016 #207

I thought Disneyworld WAS a protective bubble. Gidney N Cloyd Jun 2016 #10

Exactly. And the risks are supposed to be "just-pretend." n/t pnwmom Jun 2016 #16

Agreed. This is similar to shark attacks. yardwork Jun 2016 #31

Exactly. The reason this is news is because it rarely ever happens RAFisher Jun 2016 #101

Disney has allowed feeding of gators for years even though it is illegal csziggy Jun 2016 #231

Having read and learned more, I think you are correct. Disney should have done more. aikoaiko Jun 2016 #233

Aligators have been found swimming in swimming pools. geomon666 Jun 2016 #7

We have a 10 footer in a drainage pond next to a bar we frequent. Fuddnik Jun 2016 #34

There was one in the pool at the house next to my parents house 1 week after moving in. JanMichael Jun 2016 #124

Alligators are just modern day dinosaurs. cwydro Jun 2016 #8

Actually birds evolved from a group of dinosaurs ksoze Jun 2016 #12

Very true. cwydro Jun 2016 #51

Did you run across their backs like Indiana Jones? FSogol Jun 2016 #13

Lol, no. But we went canoeing at that same Five Mile pond. cwydro Jun 2016 #53

Did Indy do at too? JHB Jun 2016 #77

I don't think indy did that Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #120

Gators are all over in those parts. They are getting crowded out too. nolabear Jun 2016 #9

Lost my poodle to a gator when I was 13 TBA Jun 2016 #14

They're like coyotes and bears in other areas. nolabear Jun 2016 #15

There are twice as many alligators than deer in Florida... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #19

And when I googled, I found many "Danger: alligator" signs. pnwmom Jun 2016 #23

Disney is the prototype corporate city state, and has enjoyed virtual independence from any gov. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #39

It's like North Korea, but has a friendlier despot jberryhill Jun 2016 #229

"When they move, it is special effects speed." Aerows Jun 2016 #27

That fixed, mouth-open position is for heat regulation, not threat. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #62

They are cold-blooded Aerows Jun 2016 #76

When sunnng on land in winter, they clock their bodies to follow the sun. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #205

you are bringing back memories edhopper Jun 2016 #42

As a kid, my Mom & Dad took us to Lake Wauburg for fishing, swimming and picnics in the 50s. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #61

Wow edhopper Jun 2016 #180

In the mid-70s, I picked blackberries on Payne's. The bushes were so thick and big... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #200

Great info Corgigal Jun 2016 #46

U of F owns part of Lake Wauburg's shoreline for a swimming area. Lifeguards have to check.. Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #60

I had no idea about Payne's Prairie. We've only driven Hortensis Jun 2016 #86

Payne's State Park is on the SE side of Gainesville, but there are other entries... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #112

Thank you, Eleanors. I just googled the area you Hortensis Jun 2016 #129

Well back on the 441 trail to the overlook tower, you can see (feel?) the faint opening... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #203

I love connections to a past that's not Hortensis Jun 2016 #216

I just googled Payne's State Park and there are wild horsed there, too adigal Jun 2016 #209

I was in Orlando several times years ago, and went to nature areas. MH1 Jun 2016 #21

I've only been to the Disney park in California, and there was nothing real there. pnwmom Jun 2016 #26

You advertize as "PNW" Aerows Jun 2016 #33

When I first moved to Florida, the first thing I did was to ask about gators. cwydro Jun 2016 #67

Exactly Aerows Jun 2016 #73

Ah, sadly, Aerows, I'm no longer on a Key lol. cwydro Jun 2016 #85

I went a couple of times when I lived in Florida. Aerows Jun 2016 #88

Absolutely! At sunset celebration. cwydro Jun 2016 #117

We were looking at real estate in St. Petersburg and there is a small lake in one nice neighborhood adigal Jun 2016 #210

Coyotes don't go after humans, as far as I know. I would love to see a cougar. Oregon. Shrike47 Jun 2016 #211

Best "tourism" in FL.: Cheap motel in G'ville or High Springs, within 2 hrs of either coast... Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #41

Good luck with that on game weekends KamaAina Jun 2016 #47

That's why god made calendars! Eleanors38 Jun 2016 #58

The best time of year to come to Florida is after football season, anyway csziggy Jun 2016 #92

Never, ever Aerows Jun 2016 #181

LOL! I can imagine. csziggy Jun 2016 #190

Cool story GulfCoast66 Jun 2016 #193

Frankly St. George Island has gotten too built up csziggy Jun 2016 #195

That is true GulfCoast66 Jun 2016 #198

St. George Island had a few businesses - mostly catered to fishing and locals csziggy Jun 2016 #237

And back to the this thread GulfCoast66 Jun 2016 #199

They certainklly can handle salt water csziggy Jun 2016 #238

I've lived in Florida all my life and have never been to Disney World csziggy Jun 2016 #84

Thanks TuxedoKat Jun 2016 #171

Recommended 1000 time!!!! Fake Disney - never took my kids there, hated the idea. adigal Jun 2016 #212

They are everywhere Aerows Jun 2016 #22

I honeymooned at WDW in 1999 and stayed at one of the resorts on property and knew there were gators maryellen99 Jun 2016 #24

I think that Disney should post the same signs at its man-made lagoons pnwmom Jun 2016 #30

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge which is on Bay Lake maryellen99 Jun 2016 #55

In FL always assume that there are alligators in any body of water. peace13 Jun 2016 #29

My heart goes out to the family.... Adrahil Jun 2016 #35

Yes, that is a tactic. Aerows Jun 2016 #36

Me neither! NT Adrahil Jun 2016 #37

On TV today they said punch it on the nose csziggy Jun 2016 #87

Whacking it in the eyes and forehead is more effective Aerows Jun 2016 #89

No way is it Disney's fault gators are in the water obamanut2012 Jun 2016 #44

Don't you think they should have signs warning of the alligator danger? pnwmom Jun 2016 #49

They warn guests about alligators and not to go near the shoreline obamanut2012 Jun 2016 #52

They do have signs about not swimming. The signs should have warned about pnwmom Jun 2016 #54

They could claim the "no swimming" signs are for brain eating amoebas csziggy Jun 2016 #90

I believe this is the exact sign Travis_0004 Jun 2016 #123

That's interesting, because all the accounts I've read say that the signs pnwmom Jun 2016 #126

That's not the sign they showed on the news tonight laundry_queen Jun 2016 #148

According to TMZ that sign is at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress csziggy Jun 2016 #227

This is precisely what Disney should have done steve2470 Jun 2016 #232

Disney should also stop illegal feeding of the alligators csziggy Jun 2016 #235

totally agree! nt steve2470 Jun 2016 #236

I wouldn't jump into a chlorinated swimming pool in FL without looking first. hobbit709 Jun 2016 #48

Gators are pretty much the opposite of crocodiles. ancianita Jun 2016 #68

Well, I wanted to know the sex of the 10-footer Hortensis Jun 2016 #91

Haha... ancianita Jun 2016 #95

Shit, if those parents had simply been armed with an AR-15 or two... randome Jun 2016 #78

They're a major pain in the ass near Florida golf courses. JonathanRackham Jun 2016 #81

Yes, they are... csziggy Jun 2016 #94

Did you let him play through? kwassa Jun 2016 #206

I expect it's like the old joke with the 800 pound gorilla csziggy Jun 2016 #213

I'm only familiar with the famous Olympic Lake Placid. kwassa Jun 2016 #222

I grew up near Lake Placid, Florida csziggy Jun 2016 #223

Alligators are not native to Maine? who knew? kwassa Jun 2016 #224

Gator tail fried in batter Aerows Jun 2016 #83

Alligator Sauce Piquant....one of the best things you will ever eat. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #97

Alligator is pretty damn tasty Aerows Jun 2016 #98

Is that you Troy? Nt azmom Jun 2016 #107

No I'm Aerows Aerows Jun 2016 #108

Swamp people. Used to watch it often. azmom Jun 2016 #109

No, I'm more likely to wear loafers by day Aerows Jun 2016 #116

The parish I grew up in was one of the first to get tags to hunt gators. GumboYaYa Jun 2016 #122

Very, very cool. azmom Jun 2016 #143

I had some amazing gator bites when I was up in Palatka. geomon666 Jun 2016 #110

Plain delicious, aren't they? n/t Aerows Jun 2016 #114

Indeed geomon666 Jun 2016 #139

Alligator Etouffee Fumesucker Jun 2016 #113

They only like fresh water right? Freddie Jun 2016 #100

They only do fresh or brackish water. Aerows Jun 2016 #104

There are saltwater crocs, but fortunately somewhat rare. HooptieWagon Jun 2016 #186

The only crocs we see on the Gulf Coast Aerows Jun 2016 #188

I would not expect you to... Phentex Jun 2016 #121

Well, I've never been in the southeast and pnwmom Jun 2016 #125

Wow, that's super rare. LeftyMom Jun 2016 #132

Great post. Floridians may know... YvonneCa Jun 2016 #131

Here's some info about the warnings the resort had already had -- and apparently ignored. pnwmom Jun 2016 #136

+1000. I didn't know either. And I lived I Florida (briefly). nt ecstatic Jun 2016 #147

I agree with you laundry_queen Jun 2016 #149

I didn't know either, I've been to Disney a couple of times... few if any signs warning of this uponit7771 Jun 2016 #191

Gators can be found golf course water hazards. RandySF Jun 2016 #137

There was a documentary a while back on the Alligators of Disneyworld Recursion Jun 2016 #142

Situations like this make me wish Aerows Jun 2016 #145

Well, then you might consider volunteering at your local state park. kentauros Jun 2016 #166

Thank you, kentauros Aerows Jun 2016 #173

Yeah, there's no reason to kill insects to study them. kentauros Jun 2016 #174

I can't help it. Aerows Jun 2016 #176

I love turtles, too. kentauros Jun 2016 #179

I'm with you. Raissa Jun 2016 #217

The interesting and shocking thing about this attack wheniwasincongress Jun 2016 #150

Right For example, in the CA Disney there is a lagoon with pirates. But they're not pnwmom Jun 2016 #152

I agree they will be sued and will... YvonneCa Jun 2016 #192

they bite MFM008 Jun 2016 #153

What is very unlikely, is a lawsuit quaker bill Jun 2016 #156

Alligator signs should be required as a part of any settlement because these lagoons pnwmom Jun 2016 #157

Yep Separation Jun 2016 #165

Shoes & matching belts. GOLGO 13 Jun 2016 #172

This pisses me off Gothmog Jun 2016 #194

This is a statewide problem, unfortunately. Raissa Jun 2016 #218

I don't know anything about them either,I just figure once sufrommich Jun 2016 #221

Alligators are mean predators! Silver_Witch Jun 2016 #226

Disney is mostly at fault... avatar123 Jun 2016 #228

Adult alligators weigh several hundred pounds. pnwmom Jun 2016 #230