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Alligators, boar, in Freeport??? Help a newbie

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Chiofam

Chiofam

Beach Comber
Okay, you may laugh if you want. I am a newbie to the area. :biggrin: We've been to the area a handful of times, and are moving permanently next month. We live within walking distance of the Choctawatchee Bay (forgive spelling). I've heard rumors that alligators sometimes swim in there and will come out and EAT YOUR DOG!!!!!!!! :yikes: Bear with me, I'm from Ohio where we have nothing much to fear but poison ivy. We have a Puggle who is quite loved by our 3 boys. Speaking of which, should I be concerned about my children, ages 6, 10, 11? I'm also concerned about the wild boar, and poisonous snakes. We are on a rather unpopulated street, and I'm terrified to let my children out to play. Someone told us to get a cat and keep it outside and it will keep the snakes away. Wont the snakes just bite it? Can someone either put my mind at ease, or tell me how concerned I should be? I don't want to be paranoid, but also don't want to be naive.
 
When we moved to Freeport, our neighbors (in an established bayfront neighborhood) told us quite honestly that they had seen alligators come up into the bayou and creek. Since we moved to Sowal, we learned the hard way about coyotes and pets.

And as for the snakes....well, that's just a given. That's not just a problem around here, we had them in Georgia, too. They'll get in the garage, the screen porch, up under the deck. Just be careful, and learn which ones are the really harmful ones. It's not like you have to walk around with a .22 or anything, just be alert.

It's also just not a good idea to let any pet run wild. Cats get eaten by coyotes, dogs get into fights with other wild animals (or, if they are cute or valuable, get stolen) and all of them live longer when they are protected. It's easy to forget that we are part of a wildlife corridor that stretches unbroken pretty much to Alabama. The east end of the bay is a really unpopulated, and to the north is Eglin which is 700,000 acres of little but woods.
 
Worry more about car accidents.

Alligators are shy, especially the ones in SoWal. Unless someone has been feeding them, then they lose their fear of people and animals. But then again, they aren't a problem until the feeding stops and they get hungry.

Boars and snakes also don't like people and will go the other way unless you drop out of a tree on top of them then they might bite.

You're right about Ohio - nothing to fear there, especially Buckeyes. :biggrin:
 
Don't reach your hand into the bushes, don't feed or irritate wildlife, and keep a general eye on your pets and children and you'll be just fine.
 
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