Did you know that June is National great outdoors month? There are many ways to celebrate, take a hike at your local state park, go canoeing, or explore nature close to home by camping out in your backyard. It is important to be safe while spending time outdoors. In Florida, while hiking or canoeing, you may encounter alligators or snakes. Here are a few tips on what you should or should not do if you encounter one of these reptiles while enjoying the great outdoors:

Alligators do not need your table scraps this species has been roaming the earth for a very ling time and are fully capable of feeding themselves. It is illegal to feed them and if you are caught you can face jail time and a hefty fine. Once they are fed they are taught to approach humans for food and may attack the next person that isn't carrying a piece of chicken in his/her pocket.

If chased by an alligator run away in a straight line. It is the shortest distance between two points and when against an animal that runs at the same speed as us we need all the help we can get. The bonus is we have much more endurance than Alligators and can out run them by a long shot. Keep in mind they can run up to 10 miles per hour for short distances on land. After running a few yards Lactic acid builds up around their hearts and could cause a heart attack.

Just because you do not see an alligator it doesn't mean they aren't there. In fact 9 out of 10 bodies of water in Florida have alligators in them. They can hold their breath for up to 2 hours and stay completely submerged under water. Do not let your pets or children swim in lakes that may contain gators especially near vegetation where they could be hiding. Never leave children or pets unattended near lakes or ponds. Lastly, never attempt to move or relocate a gator, always call authorities if you feel an alligator is a threat to humans or other animals.

Did you know that out of 44 species of Florida snakes only six are venomous? Snakes would rather avoid encounter and will usually flee when approached by humans. Most will not bite unless they feel threatened. Usually snakes are seen close to houses or buildings due to the presence of rats and mice, which they feed on. Many common variety snakes like Garter snakes and Black Racers are beneficial to your garden because they eat the bugs that are harmful to your plants. Venomous or not snakes should be left alone. Humane traps are available if you are worried about snakes too near your home.


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photo credit: TomSpinker via photopin cc