WILDLIFE ALERT • Never feed alligators; it encourages them to lose their natural fear of people. Female alligators build a mound nest of soil, vegetation, or debris and deposit an average of 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. Incubation requires approximately 63-68 days, and hatching occurs from mid-August through early September. Alligators and crocodiles are an important part of Florida's heritage and play a valuable role in the ecosystems where they live. Those who live near lakes and ponds should expect to see alligators from time-to time but they should never be fed or approached. If you see an alligator: • Always give these reptiles a respectful distance — at least 10 feet — and always leave them alone • If you encounter an alligator outside its natural habitat, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline: 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286). • Alligators are nocturnal animals, more active during the night. After dark, avoid fresh and brackish bodies of water, though alligators sometimes lurk in salt water. Unprovoked bites will often occur at the edge of the water. • Small animals, like pets, and small children are generally more at risk than large adults. • Female alligators protect their nests by hissing and opening their mouths; this does not mean they are preparing to attack. • Alligators under 4 feet in length are not considered a threat to humans. Brochures about coexisting with alligators and crocodiles are available at the Clubhouse Office. The FWC has several rules that prohibit feeding wildlife, including bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and alligators.
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