Florida Villas – see you later alligator

The sunshine state is famous for it’s wildlife, but are you likely to have an alligator visit at your luxury Florida villa?

Inhabitants for centuries

Alligators have inhabited Florida’s marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties.  It can’t be denied that as the residential and tourist populations grow in the State, humans are much more likely to come into contact with alligators.  But they are not sociable creatures, and there are sensible precautions you can take when you’re staying in your Florida villa.

Children and pets

Never let your children or pets play in or near water unsupervised.  Dogs are particularly vulnerable to attack because they resemble the alligator’s natural prey, and the alligator can’t be blamed for its nature.  Use your common sense and don’t swim outside of posted swimming areas or in water that could potentially contain alligators.  Your Florida villa or villa complex will have a luxury alligator-free pool, so you shouldn’t even be tempted to dive into alligator-infested waters! Remember that alligators are most active between dawn and dusk, so stick to swimming during daylight hours.

Leave them alone
 
This may sound like a no-brainer, but leave alligators alone!  Not only is it illegal to kill, harass or own an alligator in the State, but it’s also illegal to feed or entice them.  Alligators are naturally wary creatures, but feeding them is one sure way to teach them to associate humans with food.  Make sure that any leftovers from your barbeque at your Florida villa goes in the bin, because leaving scraps of food around could entice an alligator.

Part of the eco-system

Alligators are an important part of the State’s natural history and an integral component in the freshwater eco-system, so be a responsible tourist while you are staying in your luxury Florida villa. Never remove an alligator from its natural habitat, and don’t try to get too close when taking your holiday snaps.  Tempting as it might be to do a Steve Irwin or Crocodile Dundee, never, never approach an alligator.  If you are bitten by an alligator, seek immediate medical help as bites can result in serious infection.

Don’t be put off

A holiday in one of our luxury Florida villas will be the experience of a lifetime, and can be made even more exciting by safe alligator-spotting.  Alligators and Floridians usually have a peaceful coexistence - the key to staying safe is being alert to the possibility of alligators being present, and behaving responsibly in alligator areas.

Florida is the top destination for attractions, sights and scenes. Florida Villas Direct offer first class accommodation in and around Disney and The Gulf Coast, where white sands and emerald waters await you. All our Florida villas are privately-owned and looked after by local management companies. Standard features include air con, master bedroom en-suite, cable TV and fully equipped kitchens with washer dryers. Let our experience and knowledge of Florida assist you in booking your holiday home. Call us on 44 (0)1798 345900.