Alligator sightings have increased lately. Experts warned the public to be wary of their presence. Just recently, a massive reptile was caught chilling on the roadside.
Alligator Wrangled From a Busy Florida Road
Police officers from Tampa, Florida, had received a call about a 9-and-a-half alligator hanging out on the busy street of Howard Avenue near Kathleen Street, just north of Columbus Avenue.
Footage obtained by FOX 35 showed the officers taping the gator after 1 a.m. Monday. A nuisance alligator trapper loaded the beast into a pickup truck shortly.
The expert warned the public to be vigilant because the mating season is coming up, and the animals are becoming more and more visible.
Capt. Phil Walters said one should be alert of their surroundings to keep themselves out of trouble. If you struck the gator in a small car, you'd be totaled, and the airbags would have gone off. If you had been riding a motorcycle, your body would likely be sprawled in the street.
Walters added that he had ten gators in the back of his truck in the past weeks.
Walters added that alligators start walking around to look for love and new places to eat because they're hungry at this time of the year. So, he reminded the people to be aware of their surroundings, especially where they put their hands and feet.
He also warned people to look before they jump in the pool, walk out of the door, and even before they step out of bed, FOX 13 added.
Wildlife officials said one should only swim in designated areas without pets during daylight hours. Alligators reportedly tend to be more active between dusk and dawn.
The officials encouraged people to contact Florida Fish and Wildlife at 866- 492-4288 if they see an alligator.
When Is The Alligator Considered Nuisance?
An alligator is deemed a nuisance when it is at least four feet long and poses a threat to people, pets, or property. If a trapper captures a gator smaller than four feet, it can release it.
However, when the reptile is large, like the one caught on Howard Avenue, the trapper can kill it or sell it to an alligator farm, exhibit, or zoo.
Alligator Attacks a Man in Florida
In a previous report from Science Times, Scot Hollingsworth of Daytona Beach recounted the incident when a massive alligator attacked him. He said he was home watching TV with his wife when he heard a slight knock at the door.
He got up to check on it. He stepped out while trying to reach the lights and was barely out of the door when something attacked his leg. He thought it was a large dog, but the culprit was a 9-foot alligator.
Hollingsworth said the incident happened very quickly. It was the first time he had a close encounter with gators because they regularly saw the reptiles behind their house. However, they usually keep their distance.
RELATED ARTICLE : Homeowner Shot a 7-Foot Alligator 4 Times in the Head While the Beast Was Biting His Dog; FWC Will Not File Charges for the Killing
Check out more news and information on Alligators in Science Times.
