{"id":1698,"date":"2022-10-12T11:01:10","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T15:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=1698"},"modified":"2023-05-09T10:09:27","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T14:09:27","slug":"the-gator-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/the-gator-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gator Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alligators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hot topic among those that visit Hilton Head Island, frequent visitors tend to know the drill and even look forward to seeing them sunbathing or skulking about in a nearby pond. On the other hand, first-time visitors might be hesitant about these modern-day dinosaurs\u2014and that\u2019s very understandable. These powerful reptiles shouldn\u2019t be messed with, but we also don\u2019t want anyone\u2019s fear of alligators keeping them from exploring our beautiful island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide is meant to give you some piece of mind and a solid understanding of how to keep both yourself and these crocodilian creatures safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Brian Yurasits<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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NEVER FEED ALLIGATORS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can actually apply to all wildlife, but in this case, it\u2019s extremely important to never feed alligators. There\u2019s a reason for the saying, \u201cA fed gator, is a dead gator,\u201d since the act of feeding an alligator is not only illegal in South Carolina but also may come to a sad\u2014and otherwise avoidable\u2014outcome. Alligators end up associating humans with food, meaning that they lose their fear of people. So let them find their own catch of the day, snap the photo, and move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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KEEP YOUR DISTANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart phones these days have incredible camera quality, so there\u2019s really never a reason for you to get closer than you already are to an alligator. In fact, you should be doing the opposite: give them as much space as possible. These creatures have incredible speed over short distances, and although they usually won\u2019t chase people just for fun, they might interpret your approach as a threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by J Dean<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In the rare occurrence when an alligator crosses your path, stay calm and give it as much room as possible. Alligators typically are the most active at night, dawn, or dusk, but sometimes they want to travel to the next pond in the middle of the day. They\u2019ll be on a mission and won\u2019t want to bother you as long as you don\u2019t get in their way. Be as patient, calm, and respectful as possible while they finish crossing a path or road. We say patient, because they might take a couple of breaks on their journey regardless how short it is. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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REGARDING PETS AND CHILDREN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alligators can\u2019t differentiate your pet from a wild animal, so the best way to keep your pets safe is to keep them on a leash and far from any ponds or marshy areas in general. Children can also be curious about these creatures and will want to get a closer look, so keep them away from the edge of ponds regardless if you see an alligator or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to just leave the island\u2019s alligators alone, end of story. Maybe that\u2019s where the phrase, \u201csee you later, alligator,\u201d comes from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources regarding alligator disturbances. The number for Beaufort County is (803) 625-3569.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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