Recent sightings of alligators sunning on the coast in nearby states or taking a dip in the pool have many wondering if they’ll be sharing their vacation with a reptile. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe said gators are just like every other species of wild animals…
“They tend to move out of their natural habitat, or out of their range. It’s just a natural dispersal process. So sometimes they’ll wander off to where they’re not supposed to be like a beach,” said Linscombe.
But he said they do eventually return to their usual habitat. Alligators nest in freshwater.
This is the time of year when you see lots of movement among alligators. Linscombe said because the air temperature is higher than the water is one reason you’ll see them on land, to warm up because they are cold-blooded animals.
“In addition to that, we’re also going into the breeding season, and that’s the time of year where all animals tend to move more, in terms of distance than any other time of the year,” said Linscombe.
So, before you put your beach chairs out you might want to look around to check that an alligator isn’t sunning nearby. And if you come across one, Linscombe said to make sure you, children, the elderly, and pets are taken out of harm’s way.
“As long as you get away from the animal, you’ll be fine. It’s pretty simple common sense, stay away from the animal,” Linscombe.
And never feed an alligator, because Linscombe said if you do, they’ll continue to approach humans expecting to receive a snack.
If it’s an urban area where you encounter a gator, Linscombe said to contact wildlife agents so they can properly remove the reptile.
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