Last week, the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge collaborated with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to capture and relocate a 10-foot alligator from Eagle Mountain Lake, a man-made reservoir north of Fort Worth. The 291-pound American alligator, which is smaller for the species, was named Big Dude. It took a team of four to safely drag Big Dude from the lake and away from the dock where concerned neighbors reported he was lurking. He was tagged for ongoing research and monitoring, and is now safely swimming in less recreational waters, according to TPWD. We don’t know Big Dude, but we’d like to think he’s a sweet guy, and we hope he’s happy.
Though we don’t have nearly as many crocodilian sightings as the Florida Everglades or the Louisiana Bayou, the American alligator is native to North Texas and swims up and down the Trinity River, though that fact will surprise nearly every out-of-towner.
You’re not likely to stumble upon a Trinity River gator, but if you were to see one, the time is nigh. According to the TPWD, in the spring and summer, alligators are on the move, looking for new habitats and mating options. They say if the alligator is minding its own business, wait a couple of days, or even a week, before you dial 311 for animal control, they’re probably just moving through.
It goes without saying, but alligators can easily kill a human being. There’s no room for debate, gorilla vs. 100 men style, the alligator is winning. So if you do have a close encounter with an alligator, count your blessings.
“If you have a close encounter with an alligator a few yards away, back away slowly,” reads the TWPD webpage on North Texas gators. “It is extremely rare for wild alligators to chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances on land. Never make the mistake of thinking that an alligator is slow and lethargic. Alligators are extremely quick and agile and will defend themselves when cornered.”
Hunting, feeding or relocating an alligator without a permit is a crime in Texas. So in summation, if you see an alligator in one of Dallas’ pockets of fresh water, wait a couple of days, don’t go for a swim and definitely don’t harm them.
Other Natural Horrors
If the presence of gators was newfound knowledge for you, get ready, because Texas has a lot more in store for you than just the descendants of dinosaurs. While gators are in their peak migratory season, we’re also coming off the back of peak snake season.“While you are out, keep in mind that if it feels really good to you, it probably feels really good for a lot of wild animals,” reads a sheet from Dallas Park and Recreation Department titled Snake Season Is Upon Us. “That, of course, includes snakes.”
The good news is that snakes don’t like it when the temperature rises above 90, so you won’t see them outside midday very often, which is relatable. The bad news is that they are out and about when the temperatures cool and visibility is lower. The worst news is that the most common snake in Dallas, per the city’s sheet, is the Texas rat snake, and it only lives in areas with lots of rats. So if you happen to see a brown spotted 5-foot snake around your house, you may want to call up the exterminator. Tell him he’s got two fish to fry.
The Park and Recreation Department flagged four species of venomous snakes in the Dallas area. Copperheads (the Southern copperhead in East Dallas and the broad banded copperhead in West Dallas), the western diamondback rattlesnake, cottonmouths and the extremely venomous Texas coral snake.
When it comes to encountering one of these four snakes, the city of Dallas says it best and in all caps, so we’ll leave it to them.
“Just DON’T MESS WITH THEM,” reads their flyer. “So, how do you avoid having an issue with a snake? Simple, LEAVE THEM ALONE and BACK UP. A surprising number of bites occur when people are trying to kill or otherwise handle snakes. If you have a dog, the BEST thing you can do is KEEP IT ON A LEASH AND IN YOUR CONTROL.”
Good luck, Dallasites.
But There’s More
Based on the humidity that has lingered for the entirety of this unusually rainy summer, you would think this was Houston. We’re grateful it’s not, especially after this trial run that made our city feel a bit swampish. Adding insult to injury is the mass swarm of mosquitoes that has descended upon Dallas.The city announces that it’s spraying a new section of Dallas for West Nile Virus just about every week, sometimes several times a week.
“Dallas residents are urged to take precautions against mosquito bites by reducing outdoor activity during the evening and nighttime hours,” reads each city press release announcing a new zone to be sprayed. The city has announced a new spray site 26 times since June 30. “Residents who are outside during these times should cover their arms and legs and use a mosquito repellent."
In the same but less annoying vein, the North Texas tarantula population is about to have a baby boom, and the usually burrowed arachnids will be in the streets, looking for a mate. Texas has 14 native tarantula species, and the most popular in North Texas, according to a report from NBC 5, is the Texas brown tarantula, which can have a leg span up to 5 inches. The female spiders will lay up to 1,000 eggs. Though they are fear-inducing, they're harmless. So these guys should be the least of your wildlife concerns.
Finally, we have a “substantial” number of bobcats, and the city describes sightings as “quite common.” But bobcats pose no real risk to humans or pets, so seeing one feels more like being chosen rather than staring death in the face. Dallas does not trap, remove or relocate bobcats or any wildlife, so if you do see a bobcat, wave to your new neighbor from a great distance.
All in all, consider staying indoors, and if you simply insist on trekking outside, take some bug repellent and closed-toed shoes.
