Florida Family Finds 550-Pound Alligator in Swimming Pool; How Dangerous is This Gigantic Creature?

A family in Deep Creek, Florida, was awakened by some loud noises in the early hours of Monday morning, as stated in a recent Facebook post from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.

A CNN report specified that a behemoth alligator in the county was enjoying an early start to the hot season by jumping into a family's swimming pool.

When the family went for an investigation, they found their unexpected visitor, a gigantic alligator weighing approximately 550 pounds and measuring nearly 11 feet.

According to Sergeant Brad Stender from the sheriff's office, the giant creature tore through the screen "to get to the nice, cool water."

A 'Monster' and 'Humongous' Animal

The police officer also said that such encounters with alligators are not unusual, especially during the mating season of the said animal species, in the summer and spring, although this particular animal stood out for its huge size. Stender described the animals as a "monster," and that "it was humongous."

Police officers at the scene contacted a trapper. With the help of three officers, the trapper used a noose to pool the alligator out of the family's pool and then tape its mouth shut so they could safely transport it.

Incidentally, the trapper already had another 11-foot alligator in his truck, waiting to be transported to a safer environment. Thus he needed to put the reptile found in the swimming pool in his trailer.

As indicated in a similar WAPT report, Stender said this was just one of the many gator calls he has responded to just this week. He added that he signed up to fight crime, "here I am fighting dinosaurs."

Alligators During the Mating Season

The said two gators were safely transferred to the nearby town of Muse, which is "more helpful to alligators, continued Stender.

For the public's safety, he advised people t keep their distance should they encounter an alligator.

He also explained that alligators don't attack people as long as they do not get up to them. Most of the time, these animals go on their way.

Alligators become more active during their mating season, traveling to look for mates. Noted Stender. This results in a bigger possibility of human-alligator encounters with the creatures that turn up in swimming pools, under vehicles, and near homes.

Are Alligators Dangerous?

According to the Planet Deadly, given the numbers and the proximity of alligators to human populations, there are "bound to encounter" between the two species.

However, alligators, in general, are afraid of humans, having been hunted for hundreds of years up to the point they were almost wiped out.

Alligators tend to search for easy options in terms of meals and will target tinier animals like fish and turtles, among others.

Nevertheless, alligators are opportunities, and not being the brightest animals, tend to think with their teeth. If a meal shows itself up to a gator or is hungry enough, it may well have a go, even if this particular meal happens to be a human.

Essentially, out of 23 crocodile and alligator species, only eight have been known to attack humans minus provocation. Unsurprisingly, the two largest killers are the Nile and saltwater crocodiles, and there's also the American alligator on the list.

A report about the alligator found in a family's swimming pool is shown on WPBF 25 News's YouTube video below:

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