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Crocodile numbers rise in south Florida, but at what risk to dogs?
LA Times ^

Posted on 04/08/2009 2:55:15 PM PDT by Chet 99

These are scary times in South Florida--if you're a small dog or a dog owner and live near the coast.

That's because American crocodiles, once near the brink of extinction because of hunting and habitat loss, now flourish so at the tip of the Sunshine State that they've been downgraded from endangered to threatened status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

South Florida is the species' only U.S. habitat and it might be no coincidence that with crocodile numbers up to about 2,000, more dogs and other small pets are vanishing.

Chris Marin told the Associated Press that he's moving from a canal property south of of Miami after losing poodles named Spotty, Luna and Angel to an estimated 11-foot crocodile.

"When we first moved in, I even put a swing on a tree here for my kids to plunge into the canal," Marin said.

Florida has more than a million alligators, but crocodiles are establishing an increasingly ominous presence in brackish coastal areas, where habitat restoration and protection have allowed for a population boom.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: crocs; wildlife
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1 posted on 04/08/2009 2:55:15 PM PDT by Chet 99
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Law of unintended consequences... allow Crocs to flourish, and they’ll start eating family dogs....

Liberals got upset by the wolf hunts in Alaska... but stop hunting wolves, and the Caribou population will be wiped out..

are there any grown ups left in the conservation movement?


2 posted on 04/08/2009 2:58:20 PM PDT by Chet 99
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To: Chet 99

My dear hubby wants to retire there and I hate crocs.
All kinds of crocs.


3 posted on 04/08/2009 2:59:27 PM PDT by jusduat (wondering,questioning,searching)
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To: Chet 99

If they can get eaten by crocs, they’d be eaten by the gators, i don’t see much of a difference for the dog.


4 posted on 04/08/2009 3:00:58 PM PDT by Lucius Cornelius Sulla ("men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." -- Edmund Burke)
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To: Chet 99
I guess it depends on the dog.

This dog?


I'm guessin' crocs aren't much of a threat.
5 posted on 04/08/2009 3:01:28 PM PDT by Sylvester McMonkey McBean (Looking for the reset button.)
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To: Chet 99

WELCOME TO FLORIDA!

6 posted on 04/08/2009 3:01:29 PM PDT by relictele
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To: Chet 99

We worry about the outdoor cats in the neighborhood, just 5 miles from the Everglades. Anything could show up in the backyard canal.

I understand that the cute little lizards are quicky disappearing too — the 4-inch long guys who scamper around the yard. Apparently larger imported and far less adorable lizards are eating them.

What next? Komodo Dragons? Perhaps Barry Soetoro is importing them from his old homeland, Indonesia.


7 posted on 04/08/2009 3:01:49 PM PDT by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: Chet 99

I don’t like alligators either or large lizards. I like
furry critters.


8 posted on 04/08/2009 3:03:25 PM PDT by jusduat (wondering,questioning,searching)
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To: Chet 99

Welcome to life near the wild animals. They might or might not be pretty, but they’re never your friend. Make sure your yard is secure from animals, keep the dog in and the wild out.


9 posted on 04/08/2009 3:05:30 PM PDT by razorboy
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To: Chet 99

I would not go into, nor will I allow my dogs to go into ANY fresh water (other than a swimming pool) here in S. FL. Perhaps a little too cautious, but I’ve seen gators in the canal near us, and we live in town.


10 posted on 04/08/2009 3:06:55 PM PDT by brytlea (Jesus loves me, this I know.)
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To: jusduat
Mostly you're going to see gators, and mostly not them if you stay away from the water... ;)

Great Big Smile

11 posted on 04/08/2009 3:08:42 PM PDT by brytlea (Jesus loves me, this I know.)
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To: Veto!
I think the brown anoles (imports) are out breeding the green ones. But, I do admit I like these imports (they're fun to watch).

curlytailfight1

12 posted on 04/08/2009 3:10:33 PM PDT by brytlea (Jesus loves me, this I know.)
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To: brytlea

If there is a good sized puddle of water, there is a gator in it.


13 posted on 04/08/2009 3:10:39 PM PDT by Sunbunny
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To: Sunbunny

LOL probably true in some areas, but I’ve yet to see one in town other than in the canal (which goes right out to the Everglades). However we routinely see them kayaking at Arthur Marshal Park and walking the boardwalks at Green Cay and Wakadohatchee. We look forward to seeing them there since as far as I know they can’t climb up onto the board walk!


14 posted on 04/08/2009 3:12:38 PM PDT by brytlea (Jesus loves me, this I know.)
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To: brytlea

We were visiting my inlaws many years ago in Jacksonville,
my daughter was about 3 then and was playing in the backyard
(fenced in)when she came running up to the back porch screaming that there was an alligator...it was a chameleon.


15 posted on 04/08/2009 3:15:44 PM PDT by jusduat (wondering,questioning,searching)
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To: Chet 99

The article said — Florida has more than a million alligators, but crocodiles are establishing an increasingly ominous presence in brackish coastal areas, where habitat restoration and protection have allowed for a population boom.

Time to declare humans an endangered species, in that area...


16 posted on 04/08/2009 3:16:38 PM PDT by Star Traveler
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To: brytlea

EeeeeeeeeUuuuuuuuuuu. I’ll never love that guy and hope I never see one.


17 posted on 04/08/2009 3:19:45 PM PDT by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: Veto!
What next? Komodo Dragons?

Not sure about the dragons but other Monitor Lizards, as well as Boa Constrictors and Pythons are thoroughly established in Florida. South American Caimans are also running around, so we have three species of crocodilians.

18 posted on 04/08/2009 3:21:17 PM PDT by Lucius Cornelius Sulla ("men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters." -- Edmund Burke)
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To: Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Monitor Lizards, as well as Boa Constrictors and Pythons are thoroughly established in Florida. South American Caimans

Guess I'll have to move to a highrise at the beach and away from the swamps. I cannot imagine the horror of running into one of those snakes.

Years ago, some golfer friends were late to a neighborhood brunch. Delayed by snakes and gators on the course. And a couple of gators kept ambling around the fenced-in pool.

I love it here.

19 posted on 04/08/2009 3:26:46 PM PDT by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: jusduat

LOL


20 posted on 04/08/2009 3:32:08 PM PDT by brytlea (Jesus loves me, this I know.)
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