Crocodiles in The Keys
From The Keynoter
Complaints about American crocodiles in Islamorada are on the rise, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Monday.
"Our officer [in Islamorada] is getting complaints about [crocodiles at] boat ramps and marinas" in the Lower Matecumbe Key area, agency spokeswoman Gabriella Ferraro said. That's about 35 miles south of the Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
"They can live in brackish water, and people are feeding them, harassing them, touching them," she said.
She didn't have specific information about where there have been problems, but did say "the Keys are experiencing a growing number of crocodile-related complaints." She said some have even been spotted in residential swimming pools lately.
Feeding and harassing crocodiles, which are endangered, is illegal -- and dangerous.
American crocodiles are generally shy and reclusive. However, when fed, crocodiles may overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food, Ferraro said.
She said at marinas and boat ramps, dispose of fish scraps and carcasses in garbage cans; do not throw them in the water. The result can be the same as intentionally feeding crocodiles.
Report nuisance crocodiles to the FWC's Statewide Nuisance Alligator Hotline at (866) 392-4286.
4 comments:
MAN! Look at the teeth on that thing!! Reminds me of a favorite poem:
The Crocodile went to the dentist,
And sat down in the chair,
And the dentist said, "Now tell me, sir,
Why does it hurt and where?"
And the Crocodile said, "I'll tell you the truth,
I have a terrible ache in my tooth,"
And he opened his jaws so wide, so wide,
That the dentist, he climbed right inside,
And the dentist laughed, "Oh isn't this fun?"
As he pulled the teeth out, one by one.
And the Crocodile cried, "You're hurting me so!
Please put down your pliers and let me go."
But the dentist just laughed with a Ho Ho Ho,
And he said, "I still have twelve to go--
Oops, that's the wrong one, I confess,
But what's one crocodile's tooth, more or less?"
Then suddenly, the jaws went SNAP,
And the dentist was gone, right off the map,
And where he went one could only guess...
To North or South or East or West...
He left no forwarding address.
But what's one dentist, more or less?
Shel Silverstein (1932 - 1999)
Oh! I forgot about that one! Everyone, young and old, loved Shel Silverstein.
Shel Silverstein was our kids favoritist!
Hey, Jim! This was one of my favorite poems that I used to read to my kindergarten class during dental health week. Love it!
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