Feb 15, 2025 01:22 AM
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/scien...=url-share
EXCERPTS: : An enduring urban legend has it that blind, albino alligators patrol New York City’s sewers. These mythical crocodilians have become ingrained in the city’s lore, and some New Yorkers even celebrate Alligator in the Sewer Day each February.
But in Florida, alligators in the sewers are no myth. The reptiles routinely find their way into municipal drainpipes. [...] And not all alligators end up in sewers by accident. Recently published research in the journal Urban Naturalist reveals that alligators and nearly three dozen other species use storm water sewer systems in one urban area of Florida to safely traverse urban environments.
[...] Mammals were the sewer’s most common critters. Raccoons were caught on camera more than 1,800 times. The second-most-spotted animals were southeastern myotis bats, which were observed nearly 700 times. These small bats used the sewers to forage for insects and appeared to be roosting underneath manholes, a first for the species, according to Mr. Ivory.
Some larger species, like whitetail deer and a bobcat, were recorded milling near the sewer entrances. But few behemoths ventured inside, save for alligators. [...] While the scientists studied only the Gainesville area, they think similar species use storm water sewers in urban areas throughout Florida. The state has even built tunnels to help imperiled Florida panthers avoid busy streets.
[...] During the study, the team observed that snakes and toads often washed into the sewers during heavy rains and occasionally had trouble getting back out. Installing ramps near storm drains could help trapped critters escape to safety...
(MORE - missing details)
EXCERPTS: : An enduring urban legend has it that blind, albino alligators patrol New York City’s sewers. These mythical crocodilians have become ingrained in the city’s lore, and some New Yorkers even celebrate Alligator in the Sewer Day each February.
But in Florida, alligators in the sewers are no myth. The reptiles routinely find their way into municipal drainpipes. [...] And not all alligators end up in sewers by accident. Recently published research in the journal Urban Naturalist reveals that alligators and nearly three dozen other species use storm water sewer systems in one urban area of Florida to safely traverse urban environments.
[...] Mammals were the sewer’s most common critters. Raccoons were caught on camera more than 1,800 times. The second-most-spotted animals were southeastern myotis bats, which were observed nearly 700 times. These small bats used the sewers to forage for insects and appeared to be roosting underneath manholes, a first for the species, according to Mr. Ivory.
Some larger species, like whitetail deer and a bobcat, were recorded milling near the sewer entrances. But few behemoths ventured inside, save for alligators. [...] While the scientists studied only the Gainesville area, they think similar species use storm water sewers in urban areas throughout Florida. The state has even built tunnels to help imperiled Florida panthers avoid busy streets.
[...] During the study, the team observed that snakes and toads often washed into the sewers during heavy rains and occasionally had trouble getting back out. Installing ramps near storm drains could help trapped critters escape to safety...
(MORE - missing details)