There’s an old joke in Florida: if you’re wondering whether there’s a gator in your neighborhood pond, just put your hand in the water. Is it wet? Then you’ve got a gator.
Southwest Florida heads right into gator mating season as spring turns to early summer. You really need to watch your step near freshwater spots: lakes, ponds, canals, or marshy areas. This isn’t the time to let your guard down. Don’t swim in unfamiliar waters and definitely keep your pets out of harm’s way.
Nature’s gorgeous, but she doesn’t play by our rules. Alligator courtship kicks off in April and peaks through May and June, when they get especially active, territorial, and easy to spot.
They don’t just stick to the water, either; sometimes they wander through neighborhoods, crossroads, or turn up on golf courses. They’re most active around dusk and dawn, and you might catch them making deep, rumbling bellows that cause the water to vibrate. That’s the males showing off and staking their turf.
Females build mound nests out of dirt and plants, usually laying their eggs in late June or July. Baby alligators hatch toward late August or early September.
If you’re in Florida during this season, follow these rules:
- Keep at least 30 feet between you and any gator you spot.
- Only swim in designated areas and only during daylight.
- Keep pets and kids well away from the water’s edge.
- Never feed an alligator. It’s illegal and makes them associate people with food, which is dangerous for everyone.
- Finally, just assume every lake, pond, stream, canal, retention pond (even swimming pools; it’s happened) has a lurking gator. Stay sharp, stay safe.
For more Florida Gator Facts, check out myfwc.com.
