I guess if you lived in Florida or visited frequently , you would get used to signs like this. But to me, it would be a bit unnerving.
Safety tips...."The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission receives nearly 10,000 alligator-related complaints annually. The vast majority of these complaints deal with alligators occurring in places such as garages, back yards, pools, golf-course water hazards and ditches. In many cases, if left unmolested, alligators eventually will retreat to more preferred habitats away from people. However, if you encounter an animal that poses a threat to human safety:
DON'T- kill, harass, molest, or attempt to move the animal. State law prohibits such actions, and the potential for being bitten or injured by a thrashing alligator is high.
DO- call a regional office of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. the Commission will evaluate you report and, if necessary, contact a licensed agent of the Commission and instruct him to remove the animal.
Florida contains approximately 7,500 freshwater lakes and tens of thousands of acres of marsh and wooded swamp. Many of these areas attract people for a variety of water-related activities, including swimming, skiing, fishing and hunting. To ensure the time you spend in or around water does not result in conflicts with alligators:
DON'T- swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might contain large alligators.
DO- swim with a partner within all marked swimming areas. These areas are specifically situated and designed to reduce potential alligator/human conflicts.
DON'T- swim at night or dusk when alligators most actively feed.
DO- use ordinary common care. Swim during daylight hours. Avoid areas with thick vegetation along shorelines; these areas provide good natural habitat for large alligators.
DON'T- feed or entice alligators. Alligators overcome their natural shyness and become accustomed or attracted to humans when fed.
DO- inform others that feeding alligators is a violation of state law and that by feeding alligators, people create problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes.
DON'T- throw fish scraps into the water or leave them on shore. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators, the end result can be the same.
DO- dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans situated at boat ramps or fish camps.
DON'T- allow pets to swim in waters known to contain large alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. Dogs suffer many more attacks than humans, probably because dogs more closely resemble natural prey items of large alligators.
DO- swim your pets in areas not inhabited by large alligators. Keep your pet away from areas of heavy vegetation, and maintain your dog within command distance."