Caution Urged as Alligator Threat Heats Up With Rising Temperatures

With the weather heating up, alligators are becoming more active, increasing the chance of alligator sightings and encounters, such as the nuisance alligator that surprised students at the satellite location of the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College in April.

Jonathan Hickman was the first one to keep watch over the 5-foot alligator that wandered up to the entrance doors for the satellite location of the Brandon campus of Hillsborough Community College.

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Hickman, a student at HCC at The Regent, and also a Veterans Affairs police officer, said he was approached by another student as he was entering the building, who asked: “Hey, what’s that by the door?”

“I said, ‘It’s a bike rack,’ ” Hickman said. “And she said, ‘No, what’s behind it.’ And that’s when I noticed it was an alligator.” 

Another sighting last weekend, as reported by , involving a 12-foot alligator killed after wandering onto I-275 in St. Petersburg, drives home the point of necessary due diligence in dealing with nuisance alligators.

reported on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminder for caution while in around the water because of the increased alligator activity this time of the year.

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FWC Alligator Safety Tips

• Generally, alligators are less than four feet in length are not large enough to be dangerous unless handled. However, if you encounter any alligator that you believe poses a threat to people, pets or property call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWCGATOR (866-392-4286).

• Be aware of the possibility of alligators when you are in or near fresh or brackish water. Bites may occur when people do not pay close enough attention to their surroundings when working or recreating near water.

• Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators.

• Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Therefore, avoid swimming at night.

• Dogs and cats are similar in size to the natural prey of alligators. Don’t allow pets to swim, exercise or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators. Dogs often attract an alligator’s interest, so do not swim with your dog.

• Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits killing, harassing or possessing alligators. Handling even small alligators can result in injury.

Additional Information:

• FWC "A Guide to Living with Alligators" 

• FWC "A Guide to Living with Crocodiles"

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RELATED COVERAGE:

• Living Among Alligators, Safety Tips, Facts To Keep in Mind