The last couple of days have been a lot cooler, but the past few weeks have been unseasonably warm, and now biologist say that streak of early warm weather may trigger an early start to the alligator mating season here in Florida. Alligator mating season typically begins at the end of March or the beginning of April, but because of the warmer weather we have recently been enjoying, it started early this year. During mating season, alligators… especially big male alligators… get territorial and defensive. Experts say you should stay at least 25 feet away from the water’s edge, and be even more cautious if you’re walking a pet. While alligators typically don’t see humans as food, they do see small dogs and cats as easy meals.