I have a nuisance wildlife problem.  What should I do?  You should check out the Commission's web site called Critter Questions, which offers technical assistance in dealing with problem animals.  If it's a nuisance alligator, check out our nuisance alligator page.  To learn how to avoid having problems with alligators, see our Living with Alligators brochure.  If you know of an area where the feeding of alligators is occurring or may occur, and you have authorization to do so, you can print and post this sign.

What is a nuisance alligator?   Generally, alligators may be considered a nuisance when they are at least four feet in length and pose a threat to people or their pets or property.   Alligators less than four feet in length are naturally fearful of people and are not generally capable of eating anything larger than a small turtle. They eat small fish, frogs, and other small animals. They are too small to be a threat to even small pets and pose no threat to people. They are typically not dangerous to people unless someone attempts to handle them.  Also, they are common in Florida, and the mere presence of a small alligator is not cause for concern, even when they turn up in places where people may not expect to see them such as retention ponds and drainage ditches.  However, occasionally alligators less than four feet in length are legitimate problems and must be addressed. If an alligator less than four feet in length approaches people, does not retreat if approached, or is in a location that is not natural, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (1-866-392-4286). The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program strives to reduce the threat from alligators to people and their property in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where alligators naturally occur. If you have a nuisance alligator call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (1-866-392-4286).  

Can I use a fence to keep alligators off of my property?  We recommend using a standard 4 foot high fence, of either field wire or chain link, with the bottom buried approximately 6 inches in the ground. It's important that alligators are prevented from crawling under the fence at low areas. You may also want to angle the top of the fence in the direction of where an alligator might approach. If you use standard pipe fence-posts, this can be accomplished by mounting angled barb-wire arms on the posts, and attaching wire mesh or chain link to the arms.  If you have restrictions on the type of fencing allowed by your community, or if you prefer to use a privacy or ornate fence, be aware that any fence may help to deter an alligator from entering your yard, but you should never assume that any fence will always stop an alligator.

It is important to note that alligators do not run down prey items on land. Alligators hunt in water, and frequently at the water's edge.  A fence that keeps children and pets away from the water's edge is more important than trying to keep alligators out of your yard.

How many alligators are in Florida?  Counting animals in the wild is without a doubt one of the most challenging tasks for wildlife scientists. To attempt to census all of the alligators in Florida would be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive.  We can, however, estimate Florida's alligator population by determining the amount of suitable habitat and the average density of alligators in that habitat. The area of habitat can be estimated using Geographic Information Systems, and alligator densities are derived from alligator surveys conducted by FWC staff. Based on this information, we believe there are approximately 1.25 million wild alligators in Florida. This number includes alligators of all sizes, from hatchling to adult.

How fast can an alligator run?  We know of no one who has measured the ground speed of alligators. Actually, there is little reason, in regards to population management and basic knowledge of alligators, to research this topic. Alligators are aquatic animals; they hunt and capture prey that is in or immediately adjacent to water. Alligators and other crocodilians will go on land to feed on dead animal carcasses, and they may attempt to prey upon confined or tethered animals. Although alligators are capable of running, they use this gait to flee threatening situations. There is no documented evidence of alligators running after human beings to prey upon them.  Also, there is no basis to the myth that you should run in zig-zag patterns to avoid a charging alligator.  If you do find yourself in the extremely unlikely position of avoiding a lunging alligator, you should run in a straight line away from the alligator and it's habitat, which is where the alligator will most likely retreat to.  Regardless of how fast alligators can run, you should never approach an alligator that is on land.

There has been some measurements made of the land speed of Australian freshwater crocodiles. More information on this and crocodilian locomotion can be found at: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/cbd-faq-q4.htm and http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/cbd-gb3.htm.

Is the American alligator an endangered species?  Historically, alligators were depleted from many parts of their range as a result of market hunting, poaching, and loss of habitat. In 1967, the alligator was listed as an endangered species (under a law that preceded the Endangered Species Act of 1973), meaning it was considered in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The Endangered Species Act prohibited alligator hunting, allowing the species to rebound in numbers in many areas where it had been depleted. Alligators were downlisted from endangered to threatened in 1977, and, in 1987, the American alligator was reclassified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as similarity of appearance to a threatened taxon.  This designation does not imply that alligator populations are threatened; it's purpose is to provide safeguards to protected crocodilians, such as the American crocodile and the black caiman (which occurs in South America), by regulating the management of alligators and the legal trade in alligator products.

Do other crocodilians occur in Florida? Florida is also home to the American crocodile.  The American crocodile lives in coastal saltwater wetlands in extreme southern Florida.  This crocodile is listed as endangered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and is therefore protected by State, Federal, and international laws and treaties.  For more information about the American crocodile, visit the following webpages.

US Fish & Wildlife Service

University of Florida Extension Services

UF & USFWS Crocodile Pamphlet

What is CITES?  The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna is a treaty ratified by the US Senate in 1975 that protects endangered plants and animals from unregulated international trade.  As a result of this treaty, all alligator hides that are bought, sold, and/or exported must be affixed with a CITES tag that validates that the hide was legally acquired and is not from an endangered crocodilian listed in the treaty.  Also, all alligator parts and products imported and exported to and from any country must be permitted by the appropriate authority; in the United States, this is the US Fish & Wildlife Service.  For more information, visit the US Fish & Wildlife Service's CITES website.

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