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alphafemale

(18,497 posts)
1. Kid has good instincts.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:15 AM
Oct 2021

Drop the pole and run.

I don't think I'd let a child that small close to water in gator territory.

Baitball Blogger

(46,574 posts)
2. There isn't a lake in Florida that is absolutely safe.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:16 AM
Oct 2021

Alligators tend to migrate during mating season. Which is why you can find them in the oddest places.

 

alphafemale

(18,497 posts)
4. True. And beaches around here HHI/Tybee are starting to have rattlesnakes
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:21 AM
Oct 2021

Mostly on and near the dunes.

Good thing is that keeps people off the dunes more than any signs.

Wounded Bear

(58,440 posts)
3. Someone was close enough to record him fishing...
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:18 AM
Oct 2021

but you're right, watching him through the view finder/phone screen are a poor version of "watching" him in a dangerous environment, and any water in Florida could be dangerous.

 

alphafemale

(18,497 posts)
5. Nearly every gator attack on a human around here is
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 10:27 AM
Oct 2021

A person who has recently moved to the area walking a smallish dog near the edge of some lagoon/retention pond in a development.

The gators aren't after the person they are after the dog.

"Do Not Feed the Alligators" signs should add the addendum - "Your Dog is Gator Food"

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
7. Now the gator has swallowed a hook
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 11:15 AM
Oct 2021

I hope this wasn't another set up video. There are many these days and the animals are the victims

gab13by13

(20,864 posts)
10. I was a little boy fishing in Pa. for trout,
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 12:03 PM
Oct 2021

my uncle was teaching me. I caught a trout that had swallowed the hook, my uncle told me to cut the line close and in time the hook will dissolve. Don't know if he was right or not but it was the better option than trying to dig out the hook.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
11. Now, my take was that's the very LAST time that loving father
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 12:12 PM
Oct 2021

lets his little son be that close to Florida water alone, while fishing or otherwise. His son is also alligator food and there are a lot bigger ones in that water.

multigraincracker

(32,528 posts)
9. Years ago, a guy took me out fishing in the Everglades.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 11:27 AM
Oct 2021

We were talking about all of the alligators on the bank. So, I asked what to do if you fall in. He said "don't splash".

Baitball Blogger

(46,574 posts)
14. The translation for those who want to live here:
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 12:51 PM
Oct 2021

"Don't poke the bear."

I had a policeman who reminded me of that precaution. He was threatening. He was just saying a reality about our community.

TeamProg

(5,788 posts)
12. "..from wild animals only, the most common cause of death are due to venomous animals.."
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 12:41 PM
Oct 2021
https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/17/health/animal-attacks-statistics/index.html

“The most common animal-related fatalities are from large mammals, like cattle or horses, but when you’re looking at attacks from wild animals only, the most common cause of death are due to venomous animals, like wasps or bees,” Forrester said. “I think people have in their mind that the most dangerous animals are cougars, bears or alligators, but a bee is more dangerous if a person is predisposed to a reaction.”

For instance, from 1999 to 2014, 921 people died in the United States from encountering hornets, wasps or bees, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During that same time span, nine people died from crocodile or alligator attacks, and 78 people died from attacks by other reptiles.

Meanwhile, 486 people died from dog attacks and 1,163 people died from attacks by other mammals, such as cows or horses. About 4.5 million dog bites occur each year.

“I think it underscores that the more dangerous animals are the ones we’re around all the time, like horses or cows or pigs or dogs,” Forrester said.

Jon King

(1,910 posts)
13. As a long time Floridian, his father is not a bright man.
Sun Oct 3, 2021, 12:44 PM
Oct 2021

Sundown is a terrible time for a small child or dog, perfect size for alligator to think is prey, to be near a lake fishing.

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