Alligator activity increases in warmer months - don't let your pet be an easy target
As Florida moves through the warmest months of the year, Hillsborough County Animal Control is reminding residents that alligators are significantly more active this time of year, which is a greater risk for pets when near water.
Throughout summer, rising temperatures and seasonal behaviors like mating, nesting, and feeding drive gators to move more frequently and travel longer distances. They may be spotted crossing roads, resting near neighborhood ponds, or lurking along lake and canal edges. This increased movement creates a higher chance of unexpected encounters - especially for pets, which resemble alligators' natural prey.
Pet owners should be especially cautious when walking near any body of water, no matter how familiar or quiet it may seem. Alligators are opportunistic feeders and can be fast if they feel threatened or are hunting.
To reduce risk, Hillsborough County Animal Control advises the following safety tips:
- Keep pets leashed and away from the edge of ponds, lakes, ditches, and canals
- Avoid tall grass or brushy areas near water, where gators may be hidden
- Do not allow pets to swim in natural bodies of water, even briefly
- Stay alert during dawn and dusk, when alligators are most active
Although serious injuries caused by alligators are rare, pets are more vulnerable due to their smaller size and quick movements, which can attract a gator's attention. Being proactive can help prevent a tragic encounter.
Residents who are concerned about an alligator's behavior are encouraged to contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286), and they will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation.