Florida golfers at an unnamed course spotted a large alligator crossing a fairway this week, trailed closely by a flock of wild turkeys. The Cool Down reported the birds followed the reptile “like a security escort” across the grass, and the video circulated on social media.
I looked up the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) page on alligator safety to see whether such behavior is common. Turkeys and alligators share wetland habitats across much of the state, but FWC does not track turkey-following-gator events specifically. The agency advises that alligators are most active during warm months and can appear on golf courses, lawns and roads.
What the sighting means for Florida homeowners
For anyone in Florida who sees an alligator on their property, the key step is to give it space. FWC says never approach or feed an alligator, and to report nuisance alligators , those that are over four feet and pose a threat , through the state’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline. If you need a licensed professional for other wildlife issues around the home, the Wildlife removal operators in Florida directory lists permitted operators by city and county.
The turkeys were not in danger: wild turkeys are fast on the ground and can fly short distances to escape. The sighting is a reminder that Florida’s suburban green spaces often overlap with the habitat of both species.
The notice is published by The Cool Down at www.thecooldown.com.
