Yes, if you live by the water, you can expect the occasional gator to crawl up on shore and catch some rays.

And you won't want your little doggie to go near the water. They would be considered a nice little hors d'oeuvre.

But there are worse things in Florida's waters: mosquitos and the illnesses they carry - West Nile, Eastern Equine or St. Louis Encephalitis. I've heard there are places in south Florida you can contract Dengue Fever via mosquito.

I'm sorry. Said gator doesn't thump their stereo at all hours, pee on your fence (erected, BTW, to keep people out), or raise any doubts as to whether it is a predator.

And if you have to shoot it, nobody will riot because you killed an innocent teen - no, preteen - out of spite.

"...No large birds..."

What does that say about the environment, and does a hybrid car bring them back? Or is that like the "Support Our Troops" ribbon on a SUV?

I've been told 'gators won't eat anything larger than their tails so adult humans are not food. Except when staff feed zoo gators meat chunks, adults "become" food by association.

Dave:

You done been tol' wrong.

Gators won't mess with people til they start passing 8 feet. Past 9, they're getting well-nigh fearless, and if you run into one 10 or above, he's a Lord of the Cretaceous and there's 2 categories of things: "Food" and "Food that's too far away."

The only thing all croc species fear is hippos.

Here is a baby hippo chewing/licking on a crocs tail.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6vJXRwsoSk

but with Lucy, I was terrified she'd be carried off by a crow and not only accompanied her outside but stood over her to fend off any flying wildlife with bad intentions.

I had an eagle nesting in my property a few years back, my next door neighbor had some annoying small dogs. I didnt particulalry like the dogs, becuase theyd yap at all hours of the day, but I warned him. He didnt listen, felt bad for the dogs, him, not so much

Ugliest. Duck. Ever.

I get gator jerky for my dog. Its a lot cheaper than the chicken or beef treats and doesn't have gluten, corn or wheat crap in it.

I get a big bag at Sam's club.

Just reminded me. We need more.

Oh look! New shoes and a purse!

A young blonde was on vacation in the depths of Louisiana. She wanted a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking. After becoming very frustrated with the "no haggle" attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the blonde shouted, "Maybe I'll just go out and catch my own alligator so I can get a pair of shoes at a reasonable price!"

The shopkeeper said, "By all means, be my guest. Maybe you'll luck out and catch yourself a big one!"

Determined, the blonde turned and headed for the swamps, set on catching herself an alligator.

Later in the day, the shopkeeper was driving home, when he spotted the young woman standing waist deep in the water, shotgun in hand. Just then, he saw a huge 9-foot alligator swimming quickly toward her. She took aim, killed the creature, and with a great deal of effort hauled it on to the swamp bank. Lying nearby were several more of the dead creatures.

The shopkeeper watched in amazement. Just then, the blonde flipped the alligator on its back, and frustrated, shouts out, "Darnit, this one isn't wearing any shoes either!"