Don’t like gators? Don’t move here

Do you hate the croaking of frogs? Do you resent the poop of birds? Are you afraid of alligators and snakes? Are you allergic to oak, pine, and Spanish moss?

Are you upset because you can hardly find an address at night?

Why then did you move to the Lowcountry, or why do you vacation here?

We humans are the invaders of the “locals’ territory.”

Like Vinny the alligator, frogs, alligators, snakes, oaks, pines, and Spanish moss were here years and years before we arrived to disrupt their “lifestyle” and distract them with our artificial lighting. We are the ones who spook them and spoil their environment.

Therefore, if you do not like them or if their environment threatens you or makes you sick, don’t move here or do not vacation here.

There are plenty of places where you will not upset the “locals,” where you do not need to have them killed because you are afraid of them, or cut down because you are allergic to them, or because they stand in front of your view of the marsh.

Vinny, you could not run for your life. You deserved to continue living in peace and calm in your lagoon, but an invader’s fear did you in. Thanks for the joy and companionship you gave to your neighbors. RIP. We will miss you — even those of us who did not know you.

This story was originally published August 3, 2017 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Don’t like gators? Don’t move here."