How do you tell male and female sandhill cranes apart?
I have a question about Alligator Alley, rest plazas, exits or Florida roads in general.
Do alligators run on their hind legs?
If an alligator chases me, should I run in a zigzag pattern?
Where can I stable or camp with my horse/Where can I rent a horse?
Where is a good place to have a wedding outside?
I have some homework to do, and I need all the information you can give me about it.
I have a fishing or fishing charter question.
I have a question about wildlife in a state besides Florida.
Where can my large group camp in cabins?
What should I feed the lizard I just caught so I can make it a pet?
I used to see a certain number of sandhill cranes in my neighborhood, and now there are fewer. Why?
How can I avoid being stung by stingrays, and what should I do if I get stung?
Where can I go snorkeling/How can I find a snorkeling tour?
How can I get lizards and other animals to stay away from my home?
How fast can an alligator run on land?
Disclaimer
How do you tell male and female sandhill cranes apart?
Male and female cranes look identical, but males are usually larger than females. Scientists use cranes' vocalizations to tell one individual from another. Please see the International Crane Foundation Web site for more information on cranes.
I have a question about Alligator Alley, rest plazas, exits or Florida roads in general.
Please visit the Florida Department of Transportation Web site.
Do alligators run on their hind legs?
No.
If an alligator chases me, should I run in a zigzag pattern?
Alligators aren't likely to chase you. Most of the time, when they see a person, they try to hide in the water because alligators have a natural fear of people. But if an alligator were to attack you on land (thus the question about running), it would probably happen so fast that you wouldn't have a chance to run. That has happened to a few people in recent years while they were gardening near ponds or canals. Most lived but suffered injuries; another person died during an operation as a result of her injuries. State wildlife officers usually point out in these cases that the attacking alligator was likely being fed by people, which is a very bad idea and also against state law.
Some people recommend running from wildlife in general in a serpentine (zigzag) manner; others don't recommend running at all, but backing away slowly, depending on the animal species. We here actually don't know if running in a zigzag, arc, straight line or other pattern is effective from getting away from alligators because, again, alligators aren't likely to chase you.
Where can I stable or camp with my horse/Where can I rent a horse?
Please refer to Horsetrip.com for a list of stables, etc. or to Horserentals.com if you don't have your own horse but would like to go on guided horseback tours.
Where is a good place to have a wedding outside?
Please contact the chamber of commerce, parks and recreation department, or tourism development council of the county in which you want to get married.
I have some homework to do, and I need all the information you can give me about it.
If it's not on the EcoFlorida Web site, we can't give you any information. If it is on the EcoFlorida Web site, then you'll find it by doing a search.
I have a fishing or fishing charter question.
EcoFlorida doesn't cover fishing because Florida Sportsman Magazine already does that so well. Please contact that magazine instead.
I have a question about wildlife in a state besides Florida.
Please contact the appropriate department within your state government. Sometimes, this department is called "Fish and Game" or "Department of Natural Resources." You can usually find this department easily by doing an online search for "(state) fish and game," for example.
Where can my large group camp in cabins?
We regret that EcoFlorida no longer provides campground, cabin or lodging recommendations. Please contact an event planner for help.
What should I feed the lizard I just caught so I can make it a pet?
We don't recommend trying to turn any wild animals into pets. Lizards commonly found in Florida, even very young ones, can take care of themselves outdoors just fine. Wild animals live their best lives when they live the way they were intended to -- free. If you really care about wildlife, the best thing you can do for them is to let them live this way.
I used to see a certain number of sandhill cranes in my neighborhood, and now there are fewer. Why?
It's common to see sandhill cranes in neighborhoods and even parking lots, as development has taken over their natural habitat. People usually assume that when they see fewer cranes than usual, the "missing" ones have died. However, that's not always the case. With wildlife, which come and go as they please, you never really know whether an animal has died or left the area. They may move on to look for a better food source, for example. Some sandhill cranes are migratory and visit Florida only for the colder months, while others stay all year.
Many people who have e-mailed this question, knowing that sandhill cranes mate for life, are concerned that a crane has lost its mate. This may or may not be the case. If it is, the single crane may seek out a new mate when mating season starts again.
Remind your neighbors that cranes can take care of themselves and that it's against the law to feed sandhill cranes, punishable by fines and jail time.
How can I avoid being stung by stingrays, and what should I do if I get stung?
Stingrays lie just underneath a thin layer of sand, making them almost invisible at the shore. Experts say the best way to help stingrays sense you're coming (and hopefully get out of your way) is to swish your feet along the sand as you enter the ocean, and not step with the up-and-down motion you use on dry land. When you're diving and swimming, keep your feet clear of the bottom.
Chances are pretty good that you won't get stung. Most stingray stings result in minor wounds, and if fate is against you, get first aid right away for any sting. Many people use a hydrocortisone product topically on the skin, but please check with your family doctor or a pharmacist first to find out whether this product is right for you.
Where can I go snorkeling/How can I find a snorkeling tour?
As mentioned elsewhere on the EcoFlorida Web site, you can snorkel from any beach. Springs are also good places to snorkel, where it's allowed.
If you want to snorkel Florida coral reefs, check out this clickable map (click on the buttons to the right and left of "Reef Locations" that appears on the right side of the page, then zoom in to the state of Florida), or try artificial reef locations by county.
EcoFlorida recommends buying your own mask and snorkel (rather than renting it or using a tour's equipment), or buying at least the snorkel, because the equipment goes in your mouth and over your face. You can purchase inexpensive mask-and-snorkel kits at discount department stores and sporting-goods stores.
If we know of a snorkeling tour, it will be listed on our Tour Guide and Outfitter Directory. You may also find tours by doing a Web search for "(name of area) snorkeling." If you are staying at a hotel, ask the management to recommend a local snorkeling tour.
Read more about snorkeling on our top Q&A page.
How can I get lizards and other animals to stay away from my home?
As a nature and nature travel publication, we aren't experts in the home realm. We also aren't knowledgeable in extermination, so please don't ask. (Many of you already have!) Most of you ask about lizards. All we can tell you is to make your home less attractive to lizards and geckos. You can try removing outside plants and water sources (this includes gutters), keeping your lights turned out at night, and sealing your windows. But doing these things may not be worth having a few lizards running around. Lizards won't harm you, and they perform the beneficial service of eating insects, so consider that they're not all that bad.
How fast can an alligator run on land?
The EcoFlorida Web site used to have a Q&A that answered this question. But so many peevish people e-mailed us to dispute the answer -- despite the fact we provided our source of information -- that the page was taken off. EcoFlorida isn't here to dispute information with people. Like a network news organization, EcoFlorida provides information -- but unlike such a media conglomerate, there's not a giant staff to field questions from people who only want to argue or question the source of information (which, by the way, was Everglades National Park, where there are plenty of alligators and where rangers probably know what they are talking about!). If this bothers you, please contact the park directly, or find another source to answer your question.
