Question:
“Is it true that crocodiles are often seen walking around neighborhoods in NW Florida?”
Answer:
Although you probably will not see a Crocodile in the Northern part of Florida, American alligators inhabit nearly every fishing pond and stream on the Eglin reservation and surrounding communities and the alligator population has increased statewide since state officials have put measures in place to recover the species. With the number of people living near water and engaging in water recreation activities increasing all the time, so has potential for alligator-human encounters.
Eglin AFB’s Natural Resources Branch is commonly known as Jackson Guard. They are located along Highway 85 North in Niceville and have brochures available in their lobby to help make local residents aware of the alligator population on Eglin.
Attached you will find a brochure from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “A Guide to living with Alligators” which offers safety tips for dealing with nuisance alligators. A nuisance alligator is one that is at least 4 feet in length and poses a threat to people, their pets or property. Alligators less than 4 feet in length are naturally fearful of people and are not generally capable of eating anything larger than a small turtle. However, occasionally these small gators are legitimate problems are must be addressed.
If you experience a nuisance alligator near an Eglin fishing pond or stream, including military family housing, contact security forces at 850.882.2502.
If you live in the surrounding communities, you should contact the FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (1.866.392.4286).
For more information on the presence of alligators in Northwest Florida, please call Jackson Guard at 850.882.4164 or visit Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at http://www.myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/SpeciesInfo_index.htm.
