Farming in South Florida is a unique adventure. You’re surrounded by lush greenery, year-round warm weather, and, oh yes, a whole host of critters that want to make your farm their own personal buffet. While many predators can pose challenges, South Florida brings a whole new level of excitement to the table—alligators. Yes, those prehistoric reptiles that could easily make a meal out of your livestock are something you need to manage with care. Here’s how to keep your farm, your animals, and yourself safe while living alongside these ancient predators.
The Usual Suspects: Predators in South Florida
Before we dive into the alligator situation, let’s talk about the other predators that might frequent your farm. In South Florida, you’re dealing with a variety of animals that see your farm as an all-you-can-eat buffet. These include:
Coyotes:Â These clever canines are highly adaptable and will eat anything from chickens to small livestock. The coyotes we have here in Alva seem pretty large, as far as coyotes go. We have measured paw prints 3" in width.
Raccoons: Don’t let their cute faces fool you. They’ll raid your chicken coop and eat every egg they can find. This is our number-one predator, and left unchecked, they will kill everything they can get their paws on.
Bobcats: Solitary and elusive, but they’re out there, and they have a taste for small animals like the wild rabbits we have throughout our property, and poultry. You can identify feline paw prints by the presence of claws. If claws are present, as in the image above, it is a coyote... no claws, it's a bobcat or maybe even a Florida panther.
Snakes:Â While many are non-venomous and beneficial, some can pose a threat to you and your animals, especially if you have smaller livestock. The venomous snake that concerns me the most is the cottonmouth. Seen throughout the wet season, these aggressive snakes will come at you, and their venom is potentially fatal to humans. However, they are rare thanks to the widespread threat and treatment options.
Birds of prey: This is a tough one because the simple fact is that there are very few options when it comes to birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, and owls. They are doing their thing, and that includes eating chicken dinners. You can put up netting, but our coops are mobile, and it is a bit of a pain. I embrace detente with the red-shouldered hawks I see regularly. They will take the occasional chicken, and I accept that sacrifice.
Now, let’s get to the main event.
The Big Gators in the Pond: Dealing with Alligators
Alligators are a quintessential part of Florida’s natural landscape, and while they’re fascinating to watch from a distance, up close, they’re not so charming. These reptiles can grow up to 13 feet or more, and they’re not picky eaters. If you’ve got a pond, lake, or any body of water on your property, there’s a good chance an alligator might take up residence there.
Living on the Caloosahatchee, we see alligators almost daily. You will find baby alligators in our cattle ponds from 18" to 4" in length. The alligators view these ponds as a nursery, and we coexist with them. The cattle don't mind the presence of these predators, and the alligators will move out long before they are large enough to be a threat. We're happy to host them as our guests, but in all truth, they were here long before we were, or any other human.
How to Handle an Alligator on Your Farm:
Know the Law: First things first, alligators are protected under Florida law. You can’t just go out there with a shotgun and solve the problem the old-fashioned way. You need to contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) if you have a gator causing trouble. They’ll send out a licensed trapper to relocate the animal. If an alligator poses an immediate threat, you are within your rights to deal with it using lethal force.
Fence it Up: One of the best preventative measures is to install a sturdy fence around any bodies of water on your property. While it might not keep out a determined gator forever, it’ll certainly discourage them from making themselves at home. This is not practical on our property with 1,200 linear feet of shoreline.
Don’t Feed the Gators: This one’s a biggie. Feeding alligators makes them lose their natural fear of humans and associate your farm with food. That’s a recipe for disaster. Keep your distance, and don’t let visitors toss scraps to them.
Keep Your Livestock Safe:Â Make sure your animals are housed securely at night. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn, so ensure your livestock is penned up securely during these hours. If possible, keep smaller animals far from water sources. Electric fence nets will protect poultry enclosures. Cattle and pasture fencing will protect larger animals.
Educate Your Family and Workers:Â Everyone who lives and works on your farm should know the basics of alligator safety. That includes recognizing when an alligator is getting too close and learning how to respond. Remember that alligators will go out of their way to avoid humans, but they can be aggressive if they feel threatened or you are in an area where they are nesting. Aggressive alligators will hiss, slap their tail, elevate their body, and lunge.
Remove Attractants:Â Clear away any brush or debris near water sources. Alligators like to hide; the less cover they have, the less likely they are to stick around.
Coyotes, Bobcats, and Raccoons, Oh My!
With the alligator situation under control, you’ve still got plenty of other predators to manage. Here’s a quick rundown of how to keep them at bay:
Coyotes:Â Consider using guardian animals like donkeys or llamas. These animals are surprisingly effective at deterring coyotes. Electric fencing can also work wonders. Cattle are immune to coyotes, which are solitary most of the time, but calves are vulnerable.
Raccoons: Secure your chicken coop with hardware cloth, which raccoons can’t tear through. Make sure to lock up your feed as well—raccoons are notorious for breaking into feed storage areas.
Bobcats: These are tricky since they’re excellent climbers. Installing a tall, electrified fence can help. You can also set up motion-activated lights or alarms to startle them away. The natural behavior of bobcats in our area seems to be that they prefer avoiding human contact, and this is likely because their food sources are abundant without engaging areas where humans are found.
Conclusion: Coexistence is Key
Farming in South Florida is no walk in the park, but with the right strategies, you can keep predators—both large and small—at bay. Remember, coexistence is key. Understanding the natural behaviors of these animals and respecting their role in the ecosystem will keep your farm safe and ensure that Florida’s wildlife continues to thrive.
So, when you’re on the farm, keep an eye on the water’s edge, secure your chicken coops, and remember—you’re farming in a place where nature reigns supreme. With a bit of knowledge and a lot of respect, you and your farm can coexist with South Florida’s wild side.
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