Alligators crawl through Florida neighborhoods, and most are just hot and hungry.
A large alligator was spotted on Easter Sunday crossing Venice before returning to the neighborhood lake, according to a Facebook post from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re guessing it was about 10ft long and boy, did it take its time getting back to the lake it came from,” the post said.
Another alligator was spotted two days later in Venice crossing a street.
“ATTENTION TO WALKS! said a Facebook post from the Venice Police Department. “It is currently in the nearby drainage ditch, so please exercise caution when in that area.”
Frank Robb, a crocodilian expert, told USA TODAY that in early spring and late fall, alligators become more active. The good news: “They’re not trying to hurt you,” he said.
Robb, also known as Alligator Robb, said alligators need to be in the sun to regulate their temperature. They also venture out in search of food and perhaps a date.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, courtship — the behavior of attracting a mate — begins in April. Mating begins in May and continues until June before a female alligator lays an average of 32 to 46 eggs later that month or in July.
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If two men are in the same area, they might fight to see who has all the “girlfriends”.
“Whoever loses has to walk around,” Robb said.
Female alligators also fight, sometimes worse than males, according to Robb.
He said you are more likely to encounter these reptiles in the spring, but they are not aggressive towards humans.
“There are many better things to worry about than having a bad interaction with an alligator.”
Here are some pictures of alligators walking around:
Follow journalist Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: [email protected]
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