through. Alligators move the most in spring and summer when they are breeding.
Monday, May 13, 2019
Alligators! For those of you who have lived here a while or perhaps were born here, you are probably thinking “Not another Stay Clear of Gators article! But to those of you who may be new to the area, we thought it would be prudent to remind everyone on the safety precautions of alligators. Being safe around alligators is straightforward. Concerns about having negative encounters with alligators can largely be dissolved with common sense and an understanding of alligator behavior.
You are most likely to encounter alligators: 1) when they are basking beside water bodies 2) if you approach a female alligator or her babies
It is illegal to harass or throw things at alligators. They are living organisms that warrant respect and it is not productive to annoy them. Molesting, injuring or killing alligators is punishable by law with fines up to $2500 and 30 days in jail. Never disturb nests or small alligators. Some female alligators protect their young and may become aggressive if provoked. Although baby alligators are docile, they should never be captured, even if the mother is not visible. She may be watching you and decide to take action to protect her baby. Mother alligators will sometime react by hissing, lunging, or swimming toward you but are just signaling you to go away. Keep your pets and children away from alligators. Alligators do not recognize the difference between domestic pets and wild food sources. When they are hungry, alligators act on their hunting instinct and might attempt to feed on your house pet if given the opportunity. Keep your dogs on leashes around lagoons and ponds. Do not allow your dogs or children to swim in waters inhabited by alligators, or to drink or play at the water’s edge. To an alligator, a splash potentially means a food source is in the water. Info courtesy of University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
3)while conducting recreational activities (e.g., swimming, canoeing, fishing) in waterways with alligators
https://srelherp.uga.edu/alligators/alligator-safety.htm
4) when they are crossing the road 5) if they have been fed and have become habituated to humans Don't feed alligators. This is a most important rule as feeding alligators threatens the safety of both people and animals. Providing food for these wild animals not only makes them bolder and encourages them to seek out people, it also alters their natural diet in an unhealthy way. Feeding alligators is punishable by law with fines up to $150 and up to 30 days in jail. Keep your distance. Although they may look slow and awkward, alligators are extremely powerful and can move with a startling burst of speed on land over short distances. The myth of running in a zig-zag pattern to escape a chasing alligator is unnecessary as alligators tire quickly and run in a straight line themselves. It is highly unlikely to be chased by an alligator but as a precaution, a safe distance from an adult alligator should be maintained at about 60 feet. Do not attempt to move alligators out of the road. If you see an alligator on the move, leave it alone and let it pass on
Rose Hill Friendly Reminders ● Golf Carts are required to stop at stop signs. Please drive cautiously. Some vehicles will stop and wave the golfers through, however; this is done out of courtesy and should not be an assumption. Cars on the road have the right away. ● Please dim your lights when driving through the entrances of Rose Hill in the evenings. By dimming your lights you are making it easier for the officer to assist you and to see your decal. ● If you have items stored outside your home that are not outdoor décor, and they are in clear view of neighboring properties, we kindly ask that you relocate these items so that they are out of sight. ● Don’t forget to pick up after your pet!
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