Wondering if y’all have seen this before.
I bought a camp recently down in the swamps south of Pierre Part, home of tv’s “Swamp People”. Lots of gators in the area my camp is on an access bayou to the main lakes and bayous areas. The whole greater area is beautiful Spanish moss laden cypress and live oaks
The camp that I bought hasn’t been used in over a year and I’ve had a lot of outside cleaning and work to do, going twice weekly.
For the past 4 visits I’ve had a young gator that’s about 3-4’ long come up and just follow me around while I’m working. He’s not a problem, he’s not aggressive, just seems curious and is almost like a dog following me around. It’s the same gator as he has a chunk missing off the top tip of his tail.
When I go under my cook shed and turn on the floor fan to sip a cool one and rest a bit he comes and lays about 2-3’ away from me and then follows when I get up and go back to work.
I know they’re curious but have never seen this type behavior before.
If he comes back Friday I’m gonna name him Gator McCluskey.
Yes sir,
It sounds like an awesome camp a lot of us would enjoy if we had that same honor.
I've raised a couple of those critters . I've never liked how the gator people series treated the fine animals even though I hunt and eat game. It just seems a little too sensational with no educational benefits to the rest of us who may have opportunity to enjoy those Cyprus rivers.
It varies from gator to gator, much like people, but they can be very intelligent. I've exposed thousands of people to my gators. I followed safety rules so there's never been anyone exposed to any risks. Perhaps some little boy raised him as a baby like they do box turtles around here. Maybe he is just curious and for whatever reason, friendly.
Whatever the reason he's taken a liking to you, this is my opinion.
IF he bothers you, or you are concerned about possible future behavior, you have two good options.
1. Relocate it to a distant waterway far from roads and homes that has plenty of food and little competition from big gators. It might take someone with experience and a gentle hand, like a zoo keeper of a reptile exhibit. Most people that catch gators don't know how to properly do so without killing them or breaking the spine leading to death. Second thought is that this is not a good option.
3. Carry a long straw broom with you. When he approaches, gently shoe it away. Just carefully push it away in the direction you want it to go...back into the closest line to water. If you do this use much caution and I'd wear heavy leather boots just in case..
They are smarter than they look, usually....
It will eventually get the idea and should quit bothering you. Just be consistent and gentle. It'll learn.
If you enjoy it's company and want it around, then treat it like you would any other wild animal. Don't trust it 100%, and keep a broom handle nearby. Don't let grandchildren too close with supervision. Never allow children around it without supervision. Never feed it, or let anyone else feed it. That includes neighbors. The only way you can prevent that is by talking to them about the fact that he adopted you and one thing you'd like is a friendly around instead of a mean one. Teach them how he will get acclimated to being fed if they ever do that or leave meat scraps out....then your friend might have to be destroyed......Remind them occasionally since they might be tempted. Show them how you direct him with the side bristles of a long straw broom. I'd buy them a broom like that if he gets friendly with them too. Teach them by demonstration when he's over there so they can try for themselves supervised the first time. This might prevent a future unfortunate experience with them. You just use it with the bristles to the ground like you were sweeping her away. Keep it between you and it as a barrier and sweep in the direction it should go but extremely sloooow. Be patient. They are more like sleepy basset hounds than a Chihuahua.
Animals and humans CAN live in harmony even if they aren't dogs. My late Dad was extremely blessed by one of my gators. He liked him as much as any dog. That made for some good memories. They both liked each other and spoke to each other. Yes, they communicate. You'll learn the different tones of grunts, hisses, etc. They are very interesting modern day "dinosaurs."
