FLORIDA – Each and every year, Floridians encounter a seasonal threat most Americans elsewhere couldn't begin to understand.
With waves of charged-up college students flocking to the Sunshine State to create memories and enjoy the warm weather for spring break, there is a dangerous threat to be aware of in Florida that is far more prehistoric in nature.
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When alligator mating season crawls around every spring, the reptiles that inhabit rivers, lakes, swamps and canals in all 67 counties are increasingly present in Florida.
Alligator mating season is no joke, and when they appear, it's important to be on alert and act accordingly to stay out of harms way.
Wildlife officials warn that during mating season, alligator activity increases tremendously as the wild animals venture out in search of courtship from early April, and mating occurs in May or June.
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According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, nearly all alligators become sexually mature by the time they reach approximately seven feet in length, although females can reach maturity at six feet.
During mating season, these massive predators are increasingly active, often encountering humans on their quest for companions.
Ron Magill, longtime Communications Director and wildlife expert spokesperson for Zoo Miami, has had his fair share of encounters with alligators in his storied wildlife career.
"This time of the year, male alligators are looking for female alligators, and that's one of the single most biological forces in the animal kingdom, and in doing so they compete for a lot of terriroty," Magill said.
On their quest for companionship, like many other members of the animal kingdom, male alligators perform ferocious mating calls to mark their territory and track would-be partners – a startling noise Magill recalls hearing in the Everglades some years ago.
"The first time I heard that sound, I was walking along the Everglades in the evening, and I'm thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s a monster out there' it's just a roar that echoes in the vastness," Magill recalled.
Alligators let out ferocious, bellowing roars that, as Magill put it, "almost sound like you're trying to start a lawnmower."
They also smack their heads and slap the water to create a loud popping sound, while sending out low-frequency vibrations that make water dance off their backs. "The females find that kind of sexy," Magill added.
Wildlife authorities say sightings of alligators in unexpected locations across the Sunshine State tend to rise this time of year, as the reptiles explore beyond their usual habitats.
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"These animals have survived for millions and millions of years, but they're not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. They operate on instinct, not as much on intelligence," Magill said.
Males that aren’t dominant enough to claim territory often go searching for somewhere else to settle, Magill said—and that can bring them into human spaces. In that search, alligators have been spotted crossing roads and even lounging on front porches and in backyards.
"This is a time when these males are desperate, and desperation causes danger. These animals are in a mode where their hormones are elevated, so this is not a time you want to confront an alligator," Magill said.
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Officials are emphasizing the importance of keeping a safe distance from alligators and avoiding the urge to attempt to handle or approach them.
This week, in Osceola County, officers from the Osceola County Sheriff's Office wrangled a roughly 6.5-foot alligator nonchalantly lounging in a neighborhood water culvert near a school.
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office warned of the dangers of approaching an alligator in the wild, asking Floridians and vacationers to alert the police or other public officials that are trained to handle the wild reptiles.
"These animals, they could be dangerous, but at the same time, they're not the malicious monsters people make them out to be," Magill said.
For both humans and pets, officials warn to be cautious near any body of water where alligators may be on the prowl in the outdoors.
Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in Florida, but if you are concerned about an alligator, call the Florida Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.
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