Houston Natural Disasters
As Tropical Storm Harvey continues to drench southeast Texas and flood the Houston area, people aren't the only ones seeking higher ground. The wild animals are, too.
Reports and images of swimming snakes and lurking alligators are making the rounds on social media, and some are not current or real. Some alligator photos were from 2016. A fake photo shows a shark that was definitely not swimming down a flooded city freeway.
But the Houston area is home to thousands of American alligators that reside in streams and bayous, more than 20 species of snakes, billions of fire ants and plenty of deer, raccoons and other critters. All of them are struggling to escape the rising waters. With no Noah's Ark to ferry them away, they're showing up in some unusual spots, say Texas wildlife officials and professionals. They add that despite some animals' …show more content…
They don't do well in the colder, fast-moving rainwater that is rushing through the bayous, so some will migrate inland. But that doesn't mean the area is swarming with menacing gators.
"We're hearing reports of 8-foot alligators in the front yard," Norrid said. "But that's not really unusual in southeast Texas."
Chris Stephens said his alligator relocation company, Gator Squad, has gotten more calls from neighborhoods in Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, where alligators aren't so common. But road closures mean he and his partner are able to respond only to life-threatening situations. They've removed just three gators since the flooding began. All were between 3 and 5 feet long.
Stephens said he's telling callers to stay calm, keep their distance and don't try for a photo with the animal. Those with a gator under their car might try nudging it with a long push broom, he said.
David Steen is a reptile expert and assistant professor at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History. He offered advice in an
Reports and images of swimming snakes and lurking alligators are making the rounds on social media, and some are not current or real. Some alligator photos were from 2016. A fake photo shows a shark that was definitely not swimming down a flooded city freeway.
But the Houston area is home to thousands of American alligators that reside in streams and bayous, more than 20 species of snakes, billions of fire ants and plenty of deer, raccoons and other critters. All of them are struggling to escape the rising waters. With no Noah's Ark to ferry them away, they're showing up in some unusual spots, say Texas wildlife officials and professionals. They add that despite some animals' …show more content…
They don't do well in the colder, fast-moving rainwater that is rushing through the bayous, so some will migrate inland. But that doesn't mean the area is swarming with menacing gators.
"We're hearing reports of 8-foot alligators in the front yard," Norrid said. "But that's not really unusual in southeast Texas."
Chris Stephens said his alligator relocation company, Gator Squad, has gotten more calls from neighborhoods in Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, where alligators aren't so common. But road closures mean he and his partner are able to respond only to life-threatening situations. They've removed just three gators since the flooding began. All were between 3 and 5 feet long.
Stephens said he's telling callers to stay calm, keep their distance and don't try for a photo with the animal. Those with a gator under their car might try nudging it with a long push broom, he said.
David Steen is a reptile expert and assistant professor at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History. He offered advice in an