Vero News > lifestyles > Warm weather means active alligators and crocodiles

Warm weather means active alligators and crocodiles

Written by: April 22 2010
facebook twitter pinterest linkedin

The onset of warm weather in the spring is when Florida’s native crocodilians start getting active, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging Floridians and visitors to be cautious when having fun in and around water.

Florida is home to two native crocodilians – the American alligator, which is found in all 67 counties, and the American crocodile, which may be found in coastal areas of the Keys, Southeast and Southwest Florida. Both species have shared Florida’s waters with people for centuries. The FWC recommends keeping pets away from the water. There are other precautionary measures people should take to reduce potential conflicts with alligators and crocodiles, and they are available in the “Living with Alligators” brochure at www.MyFWC.com/Alligator and the “Living with Crocodiles” brochure at www.MyFWC.com/Crocodile.

The FWC advises, if you have concerns with an alligator or crocodile that poses a threat to you, your pets or property, call the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286).

Alligators and crocodiles are an important part of Florida’s heritage and play a valuable role in the ecosystems where they live.

facebook twitter pinterest linkedin
+100%-

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin id ullamcorper urna, non placerat diam. Praesent nulla ma. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin id ullamcorper urna, non placerat diam.

Related Articles

Fellsmere among towns impacted by Hurricane Irma to get infrastructure award

Fellsmere is among several Florida towns that will receive an infrastructure award that will go toward restoration and improvement projects following the damage left behind by the 2017 Hurricane Irma, state officials said Friday. The city of Fellsmere will receive $4,068,300 under the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program. The funds will aim to increase accessibility to the city's water plant. "Florida communities are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Irma, and helping them rebuild remains a top priority," Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement. "This funding will not only help to ensure Hurricane Irma-impacted communities are restored, but also help improve their resiliency against future events." Nearly $100 million has been awarded to ...

Fishing Rules Reminders for 2021

Attention: recreational anglers on our coast. Some new and recurring rules for recreational fisheries will take effect Jan. 1 in Atlantic waters covering several species of shallow-water grouper, as well as spotted sea trout and snook, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Atlantic state and federal waters will be closed to recreational and commercial fishing for gag; black; red; yellowmouth; and yellowfin grouper; scamp, red hind, rock hind; coney; and graysby.  The grouper closure will end April 30, with harvest resuming May 1. Spotted sea trout will re-open for recreational harvest Jan. 1 on our coast with a two-fish per person bag limit.  The fishery closed Nov. 1. The recreational harvest of snook, which closed Dec. 15 ...

Fisherman accidentally catches 7-foot long gator

FELLSMERE — Professional fisherman Jason Viljean was hunting for catfish Friday when something underneath the water grabbed his leader line and took off fast. "It snatched my line and ran," said Viljean, 38, Fellsmere, who has fished since he was a child. Viljean would later discover the freshwater creature was no catfish, but instead a 7-foot long alligator, weighing from 180 to 200 pounds. Viljean, who has been around wildlife for most of his life, said he wasn't scared of the gator. "It was a thrill," Viljean said. "I haven't seen gators at that canal before." No laws were violated in the incident since it was an accidental catch, Fellsmere police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers said. ...

Comments are closed.