Floridians Warned about Increased Alligator and Crocodile Activity

The warm weather over the last few days in Florida has led to state authorities issuing a number of warnings to Florida residents about the perils of getting up too close to those alligators and American crocodiles that have started to become more active.  The authorities have warned of increasing alligator and crocodile activity.

Florida as two species of crocodilian, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis ) and the much rarer American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus).  These two protected species are regarded as dangerous to humans, although the American crocodile (found in the southern parts of Florida), has not been recorded as attacking humans and is generally regarded as a very shy animal.  However, attacks on people have been logged elsewhere in this reptile’s geographical range, so authorities in the State urge residents to take extreme care when in these creature’s habitats.

Alligator and Crocodile Activity

As cold-blooded animals, American alligators and crocodiles have been largely inactive in the cold weather that has occurred over the last few months.  However, with the onset of spring these reptiles will start to move more and there is the risk that they will run into contact with humans.

The Differences Between an Alligator and a Crocodile

Crocodile (top) and Alligator (bottom).

The onset of warm weather in the spring is when Florida’s alligators and crocodiles begin getting active, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds Floridians and visitors to be cautious when having fun in and around water.

The FWC has published a set of handy guidelines to ensure that humans and crocodilians can get along, the guidelines include:

1). Leave alligators and crocodiles alone.  The danger of being injured by a provoked alligator is much higher than by an unprovoked one.  Often if one of these reptiles is spotted on the waters edge basking in the sun, it will most probably move off on its own without being molested.

2). Never feed these animals, dispose of fish scraps from a fishing trip in the designated areas.  It is illegal to feed these creatures.  Alligators lose their natural fear of humans when fed, and become accustomed or attracted to people. Alligators that have been fed may be more likely to attack, and are more likely to become nuisance animals that must be destroyed.

3).  Don’t swim at night.  Alligators are more active at night or at dawn or dusk.  At these times they are more likely to be feeding than during the heat of midday.

4).  Do not swim in water that is known to contain large alligators, also do not swim outside of designated swimming areas.  Alligators are most active during the summer months.  Since this is the time of year when people are also likely to be in the water, areas known to contain alligators should be avoided.

5).  Never let children play alone near water.  Make sure children are supervised and in view.

6).  Do not allow pets to go near water that is known to contain these reptiles.  Dogs and other small pets are more likely to be attacked than humans because they resemble a natural prey item for the alligator.  Therefore, pets can attract alligators to swim areas and create a danger for humans also.

7).  Never capture or accept a baby alligator or crocodile as a pet.  Capturing alligators is illegal and can be dangerous.  Alligators do not become tame in captivity, and handling even small ones could result in a bite.

8).  Seek medical advice immediately if you are bitten or scratched by an alligator or crocodile.  Because of the environment in which they live, alligators’ mouths can harbour very dangerous bacteria (particularly Aeromonus hydrophila).  Any bite or scratch, even a small one, should be examined by a doctor or trained medical staff.

More information on how to avoid alligator or crocodile encounters visit the FWC’s website.

In the meantime, for models of crocodilians visit this part of the Everything Dinosaur website: Mojo Fun Prehistoric Life Models.

Frogs Leave Record Amount of Spawn in Office Pond

This morning, we noticed that all the frogs had left the office pond.  One large individual, was found close to the pond on the paving slabs adjacent to the water’s edge.  It was very lethargic and we did not stop to examine whether it was a male or female Common Frog.  The males develop a fleshy pad (called a nuptial pad) on their first digit.  They use this pad to secure themselves to a female during breeding, so during the mating season at least it is relatively easy to distinguish between males and females.

The frog was quite dry, so we suspected that it had been out of the water for sometime.  Concerned for its well being, especially with the prospect of a sunny day threatening to de-hydrate it and bring out the neighbourhood’s cats to investigate, we decided to move the frog to a safer place.

Carefully a colleague picked up the animal and transported it to an area of overgrown, shady scrub and made sure the frog was well hidden.  We suspect that since this creature showed no outward signs of any harm, it may simply have been exhausted after the exertions of the last few days.  By placing it a quiet, sheltered spot, we are confident that this frog will recover and perhaps return again next year to our office pond to breed.

The frogs have certainly been busy over the last week or so, we have a record amount of frog spawn in the pond, perhaps as many as eight females have laid eggs.

Exciting News – First Pictures of Frogspawn from the Office Pond

Team members at Everything Dinosaur  have spotted the first frogspawn in the office pond.  Quietly, without wishing to disturb any frogs that may also be spawning, we have taken a photograph of the frogspawn.

Frogspawn in the Office Pond

Frogspawn in the Office Pond

Frogspawn in the pond.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A picture of this year’s frogspawn in the office pond.  We look forward to observing the development of the eggs.

Crocodile Suspected of Attack on Fisherman is Caught

A three-metre-long Saltwater crocodile suspected of attacking fisherman Todd Bairstow has been caught in a trap say Australian Wildlife Rangers.  A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) said the crocodile was caught using a trap set at Trunding Creek, near where Todd Bairstow, clung to mangroves as a large Saltwater crocodile attempted to drag him to his death from the bank where he had been fishing.

Saltwater Crocodile

The DERM staff are now attempting to confirm that this was the crocodile responsible for the attack.  Mr Bairstow has undergone a number of operations and has had to suffer protracted and painful sessions to clean his wounds caused by the highly infectious crocodile bites.  The captured crocodile has been transferred to a secure facility near Weipa for assessment and will then be taken to a zoo or a crocodile farm.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the crocodile attack: Man Survives Crocodile Attack.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website for models of crocodiles and alligators and these replicas do not bite!

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

Spectacled Caiman found in Middlesbrough

Police seized a baby crocodile in a raid on an industrial unit in Middlesbrough (north-east England).  The crocodile, actually a Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodylus) is currently being checked over by vets.  Caimans are a group of small crocodiles that share the same characteristics of their larger cousins the crocodiles and alligators.  Many Spectacled Caimans are imported into the U.S. for the pet trade, it may be that this particular animal may have been brought over from the United States.

This caiman was being kept as a pet by a thirty year old, exotic animal enthusiast from Middlesbrough.  At only two feet long, the baby, known as “fluffy” may not be a man-eater but they still possess a powerful bite and could be capable of taking off a finger if a handler was not careful.  As an adult, Spectacled Caiman reach lengths of up to 2.5 metres in length, and although they rarely attack land mammals and people they are highly dangerous.

For more sensible purchases, take a look at the crocodile models and figures available from Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur.

Crocodile Found in Middlesbrough

A man has been arrested on suspicion of keeping a dangerous wild animal without a licence.  A spokesperson for the National Wildlife Crime Unit which worked alongside Cleveland Police in this case, commented:

“The Spectacled Caiman has been seized and removed through the animal reception centre at Heathrow airport, where they will find a more appropriate home for it.”

The spokesperson (Andy McWilliam) went on to add:

“There are people who want to keep animals like these, but they need to have a licence, as there is a risk.  They need to pay for the licence, have their premises inspected by the local authority and meet significant standards so the animal is safe and cannot escape.”

Although not particularly endangered, many caimans are hunted illegally in the wilds of South America for their skins which are used to make handbags and other fashion items.  The eggs and young of these ancient creatures are also highly prized and once hatched these animals can be sold as pets.

A number of zoos and wildlife parks keep these animals as part of a world-wide conservation effort, indeed some Caimans kept in captivity are believed to learn their names and respond to them when they are called.  To read more about Caimans in captivity: Crocodiles Respond to their Own Names when Called.

Fisherman Survives Mauling by Saltwater Crocodile

Attacks by Saltwater crocodiles are becoming more frequent in Australia as locals and these large, predators come into close contact.  The latest attack involved a fisherman who was dragged into the water by a four-metre long crocodile whilst fishing near the bank of Trunding Creek, near Weipa on western Cape York Peninsula (Queensland).  Todd Bairstow (aged 28) was attacked on Wednesday, police say the man grabbed mangrove branches and fought for his life, punching and kicking the crocodile for fifteen minutes before his efforts and those of the person who came to his aid and hit the large croc across the head with a branch, permitted him to escape.

The Difference Between a Crocodile and an Alligator

Crocodile (top) and Alligator (bottom).

Mr Bairstow suffered multiple puncture wounds, dislocations and fractures including a broken finger.  The area is well-known for its large crocodiles and local fishing guide Dave Donald says that Todd was lucky to survive.

Mr Donald stated:

“His legs were very badly damaged and they think the croc may have tried to roll with him while he was still hanging onto the mangrove roots and made quite a mess of his legs.  It did try to grab him again as he was being dragged out of the water apparently, it was pretty aggressive.

Wildlife rangers will search for the crocodile in the hope they can locate it and remove it from the wild.  It is likely that a trap will be set so that the crocodile can be relocated to an area which is less populated.

For models of crocodiles and alligators (whilst stocks last), visit the Mojo Fun section of the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Mojo Fun Prehistoric and Extinct Models.