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Shop NowTwo back to back hurricanes aren’t making Florida residents real happy but the alligators are totally upset. The good news is that Milton wasn’t as bad as it could have been. A huge chunk of the state still got flooded. In the wake of the disaster, anywhere there’s water there could be gators. They get flushed out of their homes and turn more aggressive than usual.
Watch for agitated alligators
One of the Hurricane Milton “agitated” alligators made their social media debut by “snapping at the tire” of one couple’s car. The situation was harrowing enough with fast moving water swamping the vehicle.
Just when they were about to panic about the flood killing the engine, a “big f**king alligator” appeared off their starboard bow. That’s only one recent incident.
Wildlife experts have been doing their best to get the message out to Floridians that despite all the tranquilizers flushed down the sewers, two hurricanes in a row make alligators a little anxious.
They’re warning that animals of all sorts “may be affected by the storms and driven into populated areas.” Be aware that they’re “disoriented and more aggressive from the stress.”
Milton blew ashore as a Category 3 but thankfully expended a lot of energy making landfall. Even though it moved across the state in a weakened condition, the storm left “millions evacuated or without power.” In some cases, both.
Tampa’s Tropicana Field was supposed to be an emergency shelter but it’s roof was blown away. Alligators and other wild animals, some of them dangerous, “could still be displaced.” Since they’re looking for shelter, your home might look especially cozy.
Take extra caution
One social media user returned to his flood damaged home to find it infested with alligators. One about six feet long was sloshing along through the hallway as he opened his front door.
That’s why “residents have been urged to take extra caution with animals displaced by the floods.”
According to Christopher Gillette, of the Bellowing Acres Sanctuary for alligators and exotic animals, “be wary of any wildlife hiding or taking shelter in areas they may usually not inhabit.” They were here long before humans showed up.
The reptiles “have inhabited Florida’s marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for a long time and are found in all 67 counties.” Concrete may keep them away from urban areas under normal conditions but conditions right now aren’t anywhere close to normal.
Anywhere there is flooding, gators could be lurking. Ones hungry enough to eat just about anything. They can also hold their breath a really long time. Around six hours. Flooding doesn’t bother them, it just chases them away from their homes. “They just go in the water. Through the hurricane these guys will be underwater. That’s what they do in inclement weather like that – just sit at the bottom and wait it out.”
If you see one, keep your distance and treat it “with respect.” They have a hotline for nuisance alligators but you can expect the call center to be overwhelmed. You can also expect to see a lot of southern fried alligator around there in the next couple weeks.
