It’s officially the time of year where alligators are looking to meet their match — minus the dating apps. April marks the beginning of alligator mating season in Florida, where male and female alligators will begin the courtship process before formally mating in May or June. Guess they do have a “swipe right” period after all.
During mating season, alligators tend to become more active — and occasionally more aggressive — than usual. Follow these tips from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to keep yourself + our scaly friends safe.
- If you see an alligator, keep your distance + never feed them.
- Keep pets on a leash in public, and keep them away from the water’s edge around lakes and ponds.
- Swim only during the day, and don’t stray outside of designated areas.
- If you have concerns about an alligator, call FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline.
If you see an alligator lounging as you explore, don’t panic — just remember FWC’s tips.
Photo via @jawnofthedead138
Where to find (or avoid) alligators in Lakeland
Considering Lakeland is home to 38 lakes, our likelihood of finding alligators in our bodies of water is fairly high. Lake Hancock, which is part of the Circle B Bar Reserve, ranks No. 13 on the state’s list of lakes most populated by alligators + Gator Creek Reserve in north Lakeland is also home to several scaly friends — as the name might imply.
