Watch out! Experts say the extended drought is forcing gators from receding waters onto lake beds.

More than a million alligators live in Florida lakes and ponds, seldom seen as they stay mostly below the surface.

But Florida Fish and Wildlife officers say they've had more people reporting alligator sightings of late, and they don't think it's just from housing developments extending into their swampy habitat.

“Whenever an alligator's home dries up, they have to find another pond to live in, they have a very good sense of smell they can smell water from far away,” said Tony Young, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Alligator Management.

The Zecmans of Lake County had to wrestle their yellow lab out of the mouth of a seven foot alligator in March. Trappers have been called back to Lake Wash which is down about five feet.

The thought that a gator could be lurking in grasslands concerned mothers enjoying their stroll with their small children along Lake Minneola.

“It is kind of scary because there are signs up for pets missing, we have pets, but they aren't allowed outside, she's our number one concern,” Amy Kurezcka said.

Fish and Wildlife's Alligator Management program currently only allows them to kill 7,000 nuisance alligators per year to aid in conservation.

“The agency errs on the side of caution. If someone calls about a gator, we are going to get them out," Young said. "But don't call if it's less than four feet it really doesn't pose a danger to anyone.”

Alligator hunting season begins August 15.

To apply for an alligator hunting permit for the 2012 season, click here for more information.

Below is a notice from Florida Fish and Wildlife:

Important Notice: Long-term drought conditions have adversely affected access to some alligator harvest units. The quota for these areas may be reduced or eliminated if water levels do not increase, and these units may be unavailable to select at application time. Orange Lake will likely be closed due to low water conditions (see the image below). Other areas affected include but are not limited to: Rodman Reservoir, Lochloosa Lake, Newnans Lake, Lake Iamonia, and Lake Miccosukee. Licenses and tags are non-refundable even if access to an alligator harvest unit is difficult or limited.