Large reptile lurking in ocean off coast of Georgia prompts warning to beachgoers

A big reptile was spotted swimming in an unusual place — the ocean near a popular Georgia beach.

Tybee Island Ocean Rescue warned beachgoers not to swim at the northside beach after an 8- to 10-foot alligator was reported in the water there Aug. 28.

Trapper Jack was called to remove the gator, but it swam into deeper water toward a shipping channel and became harder to catch, ocean rescue told McClatchy News on Aug. 29.

“While the immediate danger has lessened, this is a reminder that our ocean is home to many unseen hazards and wildlife, including alligators, sharks, jellyfish and other marine animals,” the ocean rescue team shared in an update on Facebook.

Gators live in freshwater because they lack salt glands to survive in the ocean, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. While they can survive up to a few days in saltwater, it’s still uncommon to see them in the ocean, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says.

The gator was spotted at Polk Street beach, not too far from the mouth of the Savannah River, which forms the border between Georgia and South Carolina.

“This is definitely worse than sharks,” one Facebook user wrote in response to the warning.

Others reacted with less surprise, saying they had seen gators and manatees hanging out in that area before.

“Safe is a figment of the imagination,” another Facebook user commented. “Gators have been in the Savannah River since I was a child, a long time ago. The good Lord only knows how many of them are around us at any given time.”

As of Aug. 29, the gator was still in the area, but the reptile wasn’t seen close to shore, ocean rescue said. Still, lifeguards urged beachgoers to be cautious.