South Carolina Has Alligators, Here’s the Latest Sighting
If you’re worried about seeing sharks in the ocean, I get it, but maybe we have to worry about the fact that South Carolina has alligators. Yes, we’re talking about real, live gators. In fact, two alligators were seen on beaches along the Grand Strand last weekend. According to reports from experts and those on the beach, there was an alligator at Surfside Beach Saturday (June 8) and a different alligator at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet on Sunday (June 9).
South Carolina Has Alligators
“Beachgoers saw an unexpected visitor today at Surfside Beach: a baby alligator,” a video caption reads in a post from WMBF News. “Viewers tell us a swimmer picked up the gator, and SCDNR eventually relocated the little guy.” The video shows the little baby alligator being picked up by a swimmer and taking the gator to a different area. So, yes, it shows that South Carolina has alligators. I really can’t believe that we’re seeing gators so much, but it’s a thing. According to Myrtlebeachonline.com, the experts at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources removed the alligator from Surfside Beach. That’s via a statement from SCDNR spokesperson Greg Lucas that was sent to Myrtlebeachonline.com.
As for the alligator on Sunday, it was spotted close to the jetties at the state park. Both the Saturday and Sunday gators seem to be juveniles. “Although the alligators were removed, they cannot be relocated,” notes Myrtlebeachonline.com. If they are removed, they will be euthanized, the SCDNR tells Myrtlebeachonline.com.
So, what do you do if you come face-to-face with a gator? Since South Carolina has alligators, it’s something good to know. According to the experts at the University of Florida, don’t feed wild alligators. They also note that it’s illegal, at least in Florida. “It can make the gators associate humans with food and lose their natural fear of people,” they state. That’s not a good thing. The University of Florida also says not to throw fish scraps into trash cans, to follow directions on signs, to swim during daylight hours and to keep an eye on children and pets. “Never allow small children to play unattended near the water and avoid letting your pets too close to the shoreline, as they may resemble the reptiles’ natural prey,” they explain. Also, alligators are most active at night, so that’s why they say to avoid swimming at night. You might not be swimming alone. Creepy, right? The fish in the trash can thing can attract gators, so that’s why it’s best to avoid it. Stay safe this season and avoid the alligators.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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