Gators Crossing Trails at Popular Reserve During Mating Season

Gators cross trails during mating season at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida. When it's time to mate, gators become more territorial causing more movement than usual. Oftentimes, visitors will be surprised by unexpected crossings perhaps by a gator looking for a mate, or by another gator that mistakenly crosses a dominant male's territory and seeks safety in a hurry, or even by a gator looking for a new water source when its usual spot dries up (which can often happen before the summer rains begin). All things happening concurrently make for a very exciting time of year!

[@frankrounding9905]

I guess, not her type. I see some smaller gators have walked out of some of these ponds I check out thinking for safety reasons because different larger gators have shown up at 3 ponds. Great video

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

😂 I guess not, Frank - better luck next time for the male! I agree with you about the little gators…sometimes they are making their escape from the big gators and end up in the middle of the trail. The low water adds to the challenge for little ones as they look for canals and marshes that aren’t dried up. We definitely need some rain here. I saw a big gator chasing three little ones in the marsh a few days ago. Fortunately, they were faster and escaped into vegetation.

[@ObservingFloridaWildlife]

Another thumbs up!

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

Thanks Roger! 😁

[@wildthunderbird]

They look so prehistoric, they almost don't look real. They look like they are made of rubber, until one sneaks up behind you.😲 You have to really keep your wits about you this time of year when you are in gator country!! I hope you get some rain soon. Thank you for a peak into the lives of alligators! They are so foreign to me. I hope you didn't get too close to them. 🐊🐊🐊🐊😊

[@MichelleSiefkenPhotography]

They do look so prehistoric and maybe it's the way they walk slowly, but decisively that makes them seem like they're from another time. Yes, I keep a careful distance and don't block them from their destination. Most of the time the alligators seem unaffected by onlookers, but sometimes they will stop short of crossing and wait cautiously to see if their passage will be safe before starting up again. I'm glad you enjoyed this video! 😀

[@wildthunderbird]

​@@MichelleSiefkenPhotography😊