Five alligators, including this one photoed by by Mike Beswick, were seen at the boat launch in River Grove Park Saturday just before dawn.

Don’t panic if you see an alligator. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Captain Game Warden Albert Lynch, “Gators have a natural fear of humans.” If you give them room to retreat, they usually will, say the experts. And that is precisely what the River Grove alligators eventually did.

Hundreds of alligators live in Lake Houston. They are so rarely seen that most people refuse to believe they are there. Last week, a Kingwood photographer, Mike Beswick, spotted five of the reptiles Saturday morning at dawn near the boat launch in River Grove Park.

The gators approached him in an aggressive manner and he retreated. This, according to the experts, is precisely what he should have done.

Don’t panic if you see an alligator. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Captain Game Warden Albert Lynch, “Gators have a natural fear of humans.”  If you give them room to retreat, they usually will, say the experts. And that is precisely what the River Grove alligators eventually did.

No one has ever been harmed by an alligator in Kingwood that KSA knows of.

Alligators are most often seen in spring and summer when moving to breed and find new habitat. If you hear an alligator hiss, it’s a warning that you are too close. Back away slowly. Over short distances, alligators can move faster than Olympic sprinters; they have been clocked at 35 miles per hour! They haven’t survived millions of years because they are slow and lethargic.

Alligators are most often seen basking at the edge of rivers or bayous. As cold-blooded animals, they need heat from the sun to elevate their body temperture. Basking alligators sometimes have their jaws open. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, this is not a threat display. They are simply trying to regulate body heat.

Worry however if an alligator comes straight toward you, especially if it leaves the water. Chances are, it is hungry or defending a nest. Back away slowly.

Never feed an alligator. This teaches them that humans are an easy food source and they will soon become a threat to the community.

When walking dogs, keep them on leash near water. Alligators may see curious pets as easy prey. And remember, alligators can hold their breath for 45 minutes as they conceal themselves in as little as 18 inches of water.

If you see a nuisance alligator, consider why it is there. In the case of River Grove, the most likely culprit was someone who cleaned fish and then thoughtlessly threw the heads into the river. Since October 1, 2003, it has been a Class C misdemeanor to feed alligators, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

The following information was extracted from a Texas Parks and Wildlife online article entitled “What to do if you see an alligator.” 

-Kill, harass, molest or attempt to move alligators. State law prohibits such actions and your chance of injury is very high.
-Allow small children to play by themselves in or around the river or bayous.
-Swim at night or during dusk or dawn when alligators most actively feed.
-Feed or entice alligators.
-Throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. 

-Inform others that feeding alligators creates problems.
-Enjoy viewing and photographing alligators from a safe distance of at least 30 feet or more.
-Call Texas Parks and Wildlife at 281 842-8100 if you encounter a “nuisance” gator, i.e., one that has lost its fear of people or acted aggressively toward people.

Remember that alligators are an important part of our wetland ecosystem. Without them, populations of aquatic rodents like nutria could soon swell out of control and damage trees along our lakefront (see  http://eastendpark.com/naturessigns/treescars.html ).

Article submitted by Bob Rehak, Kingwood Service Association Parks Committee

Photo Credit: Mike Beswick, www.TwilightImaging.net .