As weather warms up, watch out for alligators on the prowl
HILTON HEAD, S.C. (WTOC) - Warmer weather means alligators are crawling around the region. While the reptiles tend to mind their own business, it’s important to take caution around them.
With gator mating season underway, you may see more of the reptiles outside of the water. Wildlife specialists say it’s ok to enjoy them from a distance, but you need to , much like this sign says, to never feed a gator.
Naturally, gators are scared of us humans.
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“Once you feed a gator, they lose their fear of people,” said Matt Kraycar, Owner, K&K Wildlife Services.
“That can lead to an attack, and ultimately it leads to the gator’s death,” Kraycar added.
Kraycar has been in wildlife management for over twenty years. He’s seen everything from raccoons in attics to gators in drains.
With the warmer months on the horizon, critters are getting in gear.
Gators aren’t the only reptiles out right now. Snakes are also slithering into the sunlight.
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“There’s a been a bunch of posts on social media about people seeing copperheads and this and that. A lot of time when I get calls, people assume it’s a venomous snake, it usually turns out to be something like a corn snake or a rat snake, something that’s actually good to have around your yard,” said Kraycar
Kraycar said apps like Google’s image search can help identify different snakes or you can reach out to a wildlife specialist like him. Snakes tend to hang out in leaf piles and pine straw, so clearing your yard can help keep them away. If you want to move a snake, it’s probably best to leave it to the professionals.
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“We get a lot of bites in the summer, and a lot of times it’s people getting bit on their hand because they’ve had a few drinks, they see one and decide to hit it with their flip flop,” said Kraycar.
If you get bitten by a non-venomous snake, Kraycar says clean and keep an eye on the bite. If it’s venomous, go to the hospital immediately.
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