Florida is a dangerous place. Or so we are told. Full of beasts that could do us harm. And that’s not counting the politicians.
Here’s a quick look at some of the creatures we have to watch out for.
Alligators and crocodiles – Florida has some 1.3 million ‘gators, second among states only to Louisiana, and a handful of crocs down in the Everglades. While both are scary, they almost never attack people. I’ve paddled canoes among them and was once chased by a big croc that a ranger said was just curious. The sheer number of alligators means you have to be cautious, especially around rural canals. And keep in mind that your dog is a particularly tasty morsel.
Bears – There are black bears all over Florida. Some 40,000 of them are sighted annually, and they’re wandering into populated areas with greater frequency than ever before. It’s not unusual to encounter them in Southwest Florida as they forage for food in unsecured garbage cans. What do you do if you encounter one? You can’t outrun a bear or climb a tree faster. Experts say to be aggressive. “If it’s black, fight back.” Easier said than done. Better to just avoid the beast. Last year, there were seven bear attacks in Florida, only two resulting in serious injuries.