Are alligators a concern when diving some Caves in Florida?

[MarkR]

a visible one just took a woman's arm off at wekiva island and then bit her in the abdomen for good measure

I don't think it was visible before it attacker her. My point is.. gators are ambush predators. They are very adept at hiding below the surface, out of site when they are hunting. Seeing one at the surface in plain site typically means they are not in hunting mode.

Said another way.. It's the ones you don't see that you need to worry about.

[MikeT]

I've seen a few in the slough at Peacock. It was a passing thought on a trip to PIII once, but nothing more. There's no being "trained to deal with them" other than leave them alone since if one wanted to grab you, there really isn't much you can do about it. I figure to treat them the way sharks see us: loud, obnoxious bubble making things that more resemble a machine than a living thing.

[LiteHedded]

I don't think it was visible before it attacker her. My point is.. gators are ambush predators. They are very adept at hiding below the surface, out of site when they are hunting. Seeing one at the surface in plain site typically means they are not in hunting mode.

Said another way.. It's the ones you don't see that you need to worry about.

it was my understanding people could see them and were warning her not to go over there

[Benderr]

I think during the summer they would seek out the warmer river water and thus not be in the cooler spring water. Now during the winter I have wondered why they didn't congregate in the warmer spring water like the Manatee do. I guess they hibernate elsewhere. I have seen them close to the springs but thankfully not in the springs. I have heard a few stories but luckily they seem very rare. After the incident this past weekend where the lady lost her arm I was definitely looking around before I got in the tannic river water to go cave diving.

They can survive in water down to about 40°, but probably wouldn't hang out at that temp unless they had to. Florida may be too warm, but in the cooler states, they brummate (hibernation lite), digging a hole in the mud above the water line where they're "safe", and can stay warmer.

I think the best pill for them is 7.62 but it doesnt come in small cans.

a .22 rifle. There's a soft spot in the head. If you hit it, all systems go offline, if you don't, I hope you have a good place to hide.

I was on a one lane road that had water on both sides. I rounded a bend, and there was a 12-13 footer sunning herself across the road. I tried the horn, making noise, nothing. I found a half-brick on the road and threw it at her. It hit her right between the eyes, bounced off, and she didn't even blink. I was thinking up a new strategy when she decided to move. You won't believe how fast such a large aquatic animal can move. I'm just happy she went for the water instead of me.

[OFG-1]

Ask Pete Butt about it. THIS is when you start worrying!

[JE]

My favorite cave has always been Bonnet Creek....Shallow water...moderate year round temp: 72f & lots of passage to explore & poke around in. That is before it became restricted & off limits to most recreational cave divers. I often have seen Momma gator lying near the entrance but never inside. She never bothered me & I never bothered her. Still a 12' female gator is nothing to mess with...I kept my distance & if she was near my entry I never made a dive. I enjoyed hours inside this cave system & knew it well. Gators are not aggressive unless they are chummed or hungry or you are messing with her brood ! They do not like noisy, clunky cave divers with thick skins & big steel tanks blowing bubbles in their eyes ! I was more leery of the big beavers in Luraville. They are scary & aggressive.
Central Florida caves seem more populated with gators...ie: Wekiva springs & river systems: Apopka Blue-Shell Shock Hole-Buford...Eagles Nest....etc If you are diving the Orange Grove you may likely find gators swimming overhead......you could scratch their belly & they may smile for you !

[DogDiver]

Here's one that's been around for awhile. Either the gators can read, or they are really smart.


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[cmint]

Gator?

draw a goal line on the floor of the cave and see if they cross it.

[Curt Bowen]

I call them Inquisitive......


http://www.admfoundation.org/project.../deephole.html

[Sumper]

There was a regular gator in orange grove when I was there during I believe it was the 2001-2002 season. About a four or five footer. We would always look up and try to find where he was when we were surfacing. He was usually opposite the steps but one time he was on the steps! I actually have pictures of it somewhere. I will try to find!