Alligator Attacks Our Tractor

[SkyPup]

A 72" hydraulic Grapple is an excellent first line defense for grabbing rampaging reptilian flesh, although a 72" toothbar on the FEL bucket works good for pinning one to the ground so you can tie up his legs and mouth.....

Here's a pic of one knocking on the front door of a home, you can imagine the shock the housewife endured when she opened the door to see who was knocking!!!

 

[3RRL]

Geez Skypup...that's rediculous!
I've seen rattlers on the porch and the neighbors had a bear come by but that gator on the door is too much! What do you guys do around Halloween time?

 

[SkyPup]

What do you guys do around Halloween time?

We all pray that we won't get eaten by a hungry reptile like this poor deer did!!!

 

[JimR]

You folks ought to cull the heck out of those man eaters. I'd be doing an awful lot of hunting if I was down there. How many can you bag a year?

 

[SkyPup]

We are allowed to get two per year, the alligator season just opened today (August 15th) and runs until November 1st.

The hunt is on!

Anyone interested in a hunting permit, both resident and non-resident, can go here:

http://myfwc.com/gators/default.htm

 

[roxynoodle]

Ok, the weirdest thing that ever showed up at my door was a rooster and since he was in a box, he didn't show up there on his own. One summer I had a baby raccoon climbing my front door and looking in at me through the window. But, if a gator was ever there I think I'd drop dead.

 

[PineRidge]

Wildlife can do crazy things to some people.

Years ago when I was but a kid my grandmother on my dads side was vacationing in Yellowstone National Park. As the story goes my grandfather and her were staying in one of the cabins. I've never been there myself but my parents indicated to me that these cabins were located on park property.

Anyhow, one dark night my grandmother (Grace) looked out one of the cabin windows just as a rather large bear was looking in. The excitement was to much for the old gal, she had a heart attack, and died right there on the spot.

I still think of her from time to time.

 

[PBinWA]

Rule of law with reptiles - If it fits in your mouth then try to eat it. If hungry then eating your own is not out of the question.

I lived on a lake in Orlando for a year and a half. I think every one of my neighbors had lost a pet to gators. The gators were even seen climbing 5 foot chain link fences.

I've seen the gators pits around where SkyPup lives - it's amazing to see so many gators in one place.

 

[glasslaker]

A Florida Power & Light crew putting in lines for an addition to the Orlando International Airport found the following in a culvert they were using...
See the two (2) pictures below:


Picture # 1:

Picture # 2:

The gator is/was 18' 2" long.
The rattlesnake roundup totaled 87.

 

[3RRL]

SICK

 

[JimR]

Time for a shotgun and 00 buckshot.

 

[Renze]

How many hand bags out of one gator ?

 

[JimR]

I think that would depend on the size bags you make and the size of the gator.

 

[schmism]

that many rattle snakes would have been VERY valuable to someone for antivenom production

 

[CurlyDave]

...The gator is/was 18' 2" long...

I used to think that Polar bears were the largest predator in North America, followed closely by Kodiak bears.

Now I am beginning to wonder if gators might actually be in first place.

I know for sure there are a lot more people-gator interactions than people-Polar bear interactions.

 

[Timber]

What a fasinating thread, Thank you, I'll stay hear in Massachusetts, nothing gona eat me hear

 

[JimR]

Timber, Your right. It is much safer here in MA. Down in FL. you not only have the Gators to worry about, but you have those stupid hurricanes that wreak havoc on your life. I'll stick with the cold winters and snow anyday.

 

[bloody_peasant]

Timber, Your right. It is much safer here in MA. Down in FL. you not only have the Gators to worry about, but you have those stupid hurricanes that wreak havoc on your life. I'll stick with the cold winters and snow anyday.

Yeah but what's more likely, getting done in by a hurricane, snake, alligator, or an auto accident on a snow covered road.

Then again, I'll take that back, the south is still more dangerous. At least most people in the north seem to have a clue of how to drive on the slippery white stuff, but in the south, even as far north as NC, whatching them drive on even the slightest bit of the slick stuff is a scary sight. Like deers frozen in the headlights.

Honestly, I never kill snakes, and my wife gets on me all the time , I've been around them enough I guess, that I really don't mind them that much. Plus they keep the rabbits, mice, rats, and other pesky rodents down

But then again, I think an alligator might bother me

 

[patrick_g]

Wow, what a story. Of course you expect snakes and gators in Florida.

We have a natural resident population of gators in South East part of Oklahoma (not too far from Louisiana) but not so widely known. Adults hit about 10-12 feet with females closer to 10 and big bulls running over12 feet.

Several years ago one made it via river up to Norman (home of OU football) on the south side of Oklahoma City. Not a likely happening. Mountain lions are much more often sighted here. Saw one in the back yard a few months ago and in the front yard last week. Both in mid day and not particulary shy.

Oh, I have had gator both breaded and deep fried (with various dipping sauces) and cajun style, cooked with a spicy coating. Without the spices it is pretty bland and the texture is unremarkable.

Pat

 

[ScottOkla]

patrick_g:

Did you get any pictures of the cat?

Although here are frequent reports of the big cats in Oklahoma, only a couple of times recently has anyone gotten hard evidence.

A relative of mine is a game warden in northeast OK and he gets reports all the time, but no evidence is found and a lot of the time the reports are that the cats are black, which discredits the report. I expect that as we start to get true populations of them, we will start to get some pictures or other evidence showing up. Keep a digital camera ready at all times!