ORLANDO, Fla. — We're in the midst of alligator mating season, and experts say they can get a little crazier than normal. We have some tips to make sure you don't have a close encounter with them.

There are a lot of alligators in Florida: Experts say we have the highest population.

"They estimate anywhere between one and a half to two million alligators in the wild," said Brandon Fisher, director of media relations at Gatorland.

From now until mid-June, males and females are mating.

"They've got all kinds of hormones going on during this time, so they're out searching, so they're going be protective of their territories, especially the males," Fisher said.

He says they're not aggressive as much as they are defensive.

Here are some tips to keep in mind during gator mating season.

1. Keep your distance.

"Twenty, 25 feet is a good distance to keep away from them. Alligators are going to spend a lot of time in the water, they're kind of awkward up on land, they don't want to be up on land," Fisher said.

2. Watch your pets and children while out walking.

"Don't be around the lakes, rivers and ponds. Keep your distance from them. Gators are more active from dusk till dawn, so during the nighttime, you don't want to be swimming around the water or walking around at all," Fisher added.

3. Carry on with your life; don't fear them.

Fisher says an alligator doesn't see us as food since we're too big.

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