Alligators breed
once a year. During this process male gators bellow to try and
attract mates. When they bellow in the water the surface vibrates
with small ripples and it sounds like a deep growl. Bulls (another
name for male gators) become especially aggressive toward humans
and other male gators during courtship. However, after courting the
females assume full responsibility for the nest site and become
aggressively protective. The sound of a baby gator can easily
attract female gators.
Alligators weight
2-3oz. when they first hatch. They sex of the gator is determined
by the temperature of the nest which the mother controls by packing
dead grass and other vegetation around. It usually looks like a
small mound of compost.
Gators can run 30
miles an hour. When they run, they lift their entire body off the
ground and extend their legs. They have been known to launch out of
the water to grab their prey. However, their primary source of
power is their tail. They can not achieve the same height in
shallow water as they can jumping up out of deep water.
Don't worry, the
water around this boardwalk is pretty shallow. There's no reason to
be scared. Just don't feed the gators.
This geocache is placed in Highlands
Hammock State Park with the permission of park management. All
locations must be approved by the Volunteer Geocache Coordinator
Sarah Straub (DTISarah@gmail.com) and adhere to the guidelines set
by the park for geocache placement.
Vehicles are not permitted to park on
any roadway within the park boundary. All vehicles must park within
designated parking areas. The park is open from 8:00AM until
sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees are as follows: $6.00
per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant
Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers,
passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance
Pass. Camping is available in the park as well.
Highlands
Hammock State Park's Website
For more information about accessing
cache locations please visit the ranger station to view a copy of
Essential Eligibility Criteria for Geocaching at Highlands Hammock
State Park.
Please remember to cache responsibly
and stay on designated trails.