Please Don't Feed the Gators!

Alligators and Dolphins are Hilton Head Island's most popular natural attractions. Tens of thousands of tourist and vacationers spend their time on Hilton Head, year after year, hoping to catch a glimpse of these animals. Folks spend hours walking and riding bikes from pond to pond; waiting for a gator to come up for air or to catch a little sunshine. Others spend hours scanning the ocean, the sounds, the creeks and coves and bays, for fleeting glimpses of Dolphins. Both of these aquatic creatures are plentiful on the island, and tourist who do not want to set off on their own expeditions are offered dozens of opportunities to take guided tours and cruises, offered solely for those purposes.

For many it is nearly impossible to resist the urge to toss the alligators and dolphins a treat: this is never a good idea! Alligators are extremely dangerous animals, and although they look lethargic and slow, they can easily outrun a human over short distances. The larger ones can inflict serious injuries by simply thrashing their tails and a gator only two feet long has power enough in his jaws to bit a broom handle in half! Alligators are naturally wary of human beings, and although they are more than happy to provide folks with a "Kodak moment" or allow them to sit and stare at them for hours; they don't want you to get close. When people start feeding alligators they begin to lose their sense of apprehension, and begin approaching us. Eventually, they come to view humans as a food source, and gradually become more and more aggressive. Let one of these hungry, hand fed gators, approach you; expecting a treat that you don't have, and suddenly, you, your dog or your child becomes a snack. Alligators that demonstrate aggressive tendencies have to be removed from any possible contact with humans; often destroying the animal is the only way to keep people safe. There are federal and state laws that prohibit feeding and harassing alligators; both with very heavy penalties. These laws are there to protect you from becoming lunch, and the gator from becoming dead.

Unlike alligators; dolphins are superbly intelligent and friendly animals. They are plentiful, and can be seen in almost any body of salt water around Hilton Head Island. Dolphins are used to being watched, especially from boats, and often the friendlier ones will approach the boats. Once again, there are federal and state laws that strictly forbid the feeding and touching of dolphins; for many good sound reasons: Dolphins need to be wary of boats, as fast moving hulls and spinning propellers can inflict serious injuries; start feeding them and they may forget how dangerous boats can be. Likewise; dolphins eat fish, and fish is all they are intended to eat: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, crackers and bologna are not part of the dolphin's natural diet, and their digestive systems are not equipped to handle them. Not to mention; their immune systems may not be prepared to handle whatever bacteria is on your hands, as you pet them or handle the food you give them. Moreover, although dolphins actually enjoy being petted, and people get a big thrill out of touching one, this will also cause them to lose their natural apprehension towards boats, and put themselves in harms way; so please, save that activity for Sea World.