wildlife safety
Bok Tower Gardens provides habitat for wildlife, including venomous snakes. Always keep your distance. Your safety is your responsibility. Wildlife that live in this area are wild, even though they may look or act tame. Wildlife experts recommend keeping your distance from wildlife and not feeding any species no matter how friendly.
WILDLIFE + DISTANCE = SAFETY
The consequences of approaching wildlife can be serious. You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of wildlife. Wild animals should be allowed to forage for food, care for their young, sleep, and play without human disturbance.
- Never approach or feed wild animals
- Wild animals are individualistic and unpredictable
- Always maintain a safe distance
SNAKES
Snakes live in a wide variety of Florida habitats including the Lake Wales Ridge. Some are active at night, others during the day. Snakes are predators and eat a wide variety of animals, including rodents, insects, birds' eggs, and young birds. Bok Tower Gardens is home to many non-venomous and venomous snakes including Coral Snakes and Rattlesnakes. While extremely rare, our water features may also be home to water snakes and alligators.
- Do not tease or harass snakes or alligators
- Wear long pants and proper foot gear
- Try as much as possible not to surprise a snake
- Stay on trails and watch where you sit and where you place your hands and feet