2nd Fatal FL Alligator Attack

[RiverRat]

Not really, but we don't have an Exclusive Contract with these critters down here as this link will show you. This gator was reported to have come from numerous locations.......warning to Bambi Lover's before viewing the photo.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/g/gator.htm

Another Alleged Neighbor of mine.......

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/wcgator.asp

 

[concernedperson]

Not really, but we don't have an Exclusive Contract with these critters down here as this link will show you. This gator was reported to have come from numerous locations.......warning to Bambi Lover's before viewing the photo.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/g/gator.htm

Another Alleged Neighbor of mine.......

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/wcgator.asp

I am pretty sure I will have nightmares tonight. Goodness gracious that 2nd alligator was huge.

 

[Amraann]

From DK's Link


"There is a commonly repeated myth about alligators being able to move at 35 or 40 miles per hour, but this is not true."

 

[Nova]

From DK's Link


"There is a commonly repeated myth about alligators being able to move at 35 or 40 miles per hour, but this is not true."

But I bet they can hold their breath longer than a bear.

(BTW, when I say that as a child I often heard that myth about gators running 35 mph, I mean I heard it at zoos and the like from supposed experts. I didn't mean it was neighborhood gossip. Just shows to go ya.)

 

[Dark Knight]

But I bet they can hold their breath longer than a bear.

But bears are excellent swimmers. So you're pretty screwed either way, lol.

 

[Amraann]

But I bet they can hold their breath longer than a bear.

(BTW, when I say that as a child I often heard that myth about gators running 35 mph, I mean I heard it at zoos and the like from supposed experts. I didn't mean it was neighborhood gossip. Just shows to go ya.)

I don't doubt that for one second Nova. I have been to other parks for events etc where "experts" were giving talks on one speicies or another and plenty of times I have known the information was completely innacurate.

Its no wonder people develope these fears.

 

[Nova]

But bears are excellent swimmers. So you're pretty screwed either way, lol.

I'm sure raccoons are the most deadly. There's just a cover up to keep the stats from us because raccoons look cute from a distance.

 

[Nova]

I don't doubt that for one second Nova. I have been to other parks for events etc where "experts" were giving talks on one speicies or another and plenty of times I have known the information was completely innacurate.

Its no wonder people develope these fears.

Somehow I managed not to be too afraid of gators on land. (Fortunately, since I saw them everywhere, sunning themselves.) But the one time I fell into a canal, I screamed my fool head off! Probably scared the gators (and all the snakes) away!

 

[concernedperson]

I'm sure raccoons are the most deadly. There's just a cover up to keep the stats from us because raccoons look cute from a distance.

My ex had one as pet. It was the demon from hell.Persnickety with an agenda. Don't trust them...LOL!

 

[Nova]

My ex had one as pet. It was the demon from hell.Persnickety with an agenda. Don't trust them...LOL!

Not to worry. The ones in my neighborhood look like St. Bernard's. Only not so friendly.

A fellow cat-lover and friend of mine used to say he tried to keep in mind that his cats would eat him, if only they were a little bigger. I don't think raccoons are that persnickety.

 

[Amraann]

Not to worry. The ones in my neighborhood look like St. Bernard's. Only not so friendly.

A fellow cat-lover and friend of mine used to say he tried to keep in mind that his cats would eat him, if only they were a little bigger. I don't think raccoons are that persnickety.

Racoons can be VERY mean and aggressive creatures. Mostly those that are use to people and can scavenger the garbage cans and eat left out pet food .. They become not afraid of people.
I have also met racoons that were pets that were sweet.

 

[Jean]

Oh no, this is in a Houston, Texas suburb--now I will be watching for snakes AND gators!!

400-Pound Alligator Found In Back Yard

HOUSTON -- A Missouri City family found a 400-pound alligator in their back yard Monday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The alligator crawled under a fence the homeowners put up to keep wildlife out of their back yard on Cicada Drive near Peninsulas Drive.

The family's dog found the alligator around 7 a.m. The alligator then lunged at the dog. (More at link)

http://www.click2houston.com/news/9256098/detail.html

-----------------------------
Since we have been talking about bears too:

500-Pound Bear Breaks Into Home, Attacks Woman

ORWELL, Ohio -- A state wildlife officer said a 500-pound bear that escaped from a northeast Ohio commercial gaming business on Monday entered a neighboring home and attacked a woman.
Reno Reda of the state Department of Natural Resources said the owner of Grand River Fur Exchange in Hartsgrove Township was attempting to enter the bear's cage to clean it Monday when the animal escaped. (More at link)

http://www.click2houston.com/news/9258281/detail.html

 

[Amraann]

I think its worth noting that due to a turbulent Hurricane season the past two years this is normal.

The storms killed smaller prey type foods and habitat.

 

[GrayWolf]

Agreed.

Now can anyone help with my irrational fear of raccoons? I'm not actually phobic, but now that they show up in my yard in the dark with some regularity, they scare me.

Nova - There's some practical advice on how to discourage those little bandits from your yard here:

http://www.nod-valley.k12.ia.us/students/2002/raccoons/Information.html


For me, it's porcupines and we have lots of them here.