Pine Island Mel the Guide

Paddling with Mel the Guide

Your yak or mine

Yes we are still open and No the oil has not been here as far as we know at this time.   Today was a bit hot but the bird life and dolphins and stingrays were all doing well in the Back Bay at MATLACHA.   We had our early morning nature tour and it was wonderful as usual.   Do still bring plenty of cool water,  as it is hot and sunny.   Now I am not going to upset you with all the news of the oil spill,  I am sure you are sadly getting that from all the politicians,  enviermentlist,  news makers and news casters that are in your face every day and night, so you don’t need me,  a simple kayak guide to tell you the bad news.   This is a major tragedy that I pray Mother Nature will forgive us for and find a way to bounce back as she has in the past. So lets talk about what else is happening this time of the year and what you may see as you are out paddling in Florida. 

I have written about a group of kids we had out from the U.K In addition, how we had another great paddle until one of them spotted a CROCODILE.   So it was made of cement, to them it was a CROCODILE.   Not having seen a crocodile in the pass I thought I should brush up on my crocodile facts.   The word Crocodile comes from the Greek word crocodiles, which means LIZARD.   He has webfeet that he tucks in along side his body and this makes him streamlined as he swims along in the water.   Crocodiles are very fast over short distances even out of the water.   Since crocks feed by grabbing and holding onto there pray they have evolved sharp teeth for tearing and holding on to flesh, and powerful muscles that close the jaws and hold them shut.   These jaws can bite down with great force,  giving them the strongest bite of any animal.    Crocodiles are ambush hunters waiting for fish or land animals to come close to the waters edge then jump out and ATTACK.  As cold-blooded predators they have a very slow metabolism,  and go long periods without food. Crocodiles eat fish,  birds, mammals and a small crocodile or two,  and some times a slow kayaker.    Some species can get to be 16 ft long and weigh about 2,600 lbs.   On a sad note this past winter we lost our resident crocodile out on Sanibel island at the ding darling preserve,  it was found right after the cold spell we had and it was not known weather it was the cold or old age that did her in.    A little closer to home in Matlacha, Pine Island and Cape Coral we have a larger population of alligators.    Both crocodiles and alligators have long and powerful bodies.    Both have thick and scaly hides.    The hides of the salt-water crocodiles are made into shoes, boots,  handbags, and other leather goods.   

It is nearly impossible to see the difference between alligators and crocodiles,  if you look at there eating habits.    Both spices consume small animals like reptiles and small types of fish that are swimming by.    Both may attack big birds, pigs, and wild boar if they get close to the waters edge.    So if I see one, which is the meanest???    In general alligators are thought as being more docile when compared to crocks.     HOWEVER, THERE ARE ALWAYS EXCEPTIONS.     In addition, alligators can also get too friendly if other folks are out there feeding them. {Which is against the law}     If they are looking for food and you don’t have any you may be next on the menu.    I have paddled with many gators on the Peace River and up north on the Hillsboro and the Rainbow Rivers.    My best advice is don’t aggravate them and leave them alone,  observe them from a distance in the company of an experienced guide.    Did I see a crock or a gator?    Crocodiles have long narrow snouts,  and alligators have wide snouts shaped like a U. this enables him to crush animals such as turtles more easley.    Both alligators and crocks have glands on their tongs that help them cope with excess salt water.    Alligators however appear to have lost this ability to get rid of the salt and make it more likely to see them in fresh water.    How do alligators reproduce???    

KAYAKERS BEWARE… June,  and July are the months you want to keep your eyes open out in the wild, mangroves, tall grass, mud banks, and small lakes. The males and females are papering them self’s to have baby’s.   They build their nest on mounds of high vegetation or raised banks to protect their eggs, from drowning and other unwanted danger.    Most nests hold about 30 eggs; their nest provides a fairly constant incubation temperature, which determines the sex.    Eggs at temperatures grater than 91f develop into males and the eggs with temperatures lower than 85 f develops into females, and eggs in between these temperatures can be either male or females.    They hatch around mid august or sooner after 65 days of incubation.     Therefore, if you hear chirping noises LOOK OUT mom is near by.     Most alligators have a life span of 30 to 35 years in the wild and some have lived for more in captivity.    Did you ever read in the news that an alligator ate a kayak tour guide? \Probably not.    Ever wonder why??    Was it because of his extensive training in the wild?    His many hours on the water?    No it was not.    I will let you in on the secret.    The first thing you learn as a guide is you do not have to out paddle the alligator,  you only have to out paddle the tour you are with.    Watch you self out there and have a great summer,  lets all hope and pray that next summer is as good if not better than this one, and our waters are back to the way they should be, THANKS FOR PADDLING WITH MEL THE GUIDE.