Florida

These alligators showed up in unusual places in Florida. See these 10 incidents

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Reports of alligator sightings in Florida are stirring public anxiety as the reptiles continue to encroach on urban areas.

Instances of alligators found in unusual locations include residential driveways and busy highways, and highlight the growing overlap between human habitats and alligator territory.

These sightings typically increase during the alligator courtship season in April, when the animals are more likely to wander in search of mates, leading to encounters such as a 9-foot alligator being pulled over by a Florida trooper and another found under a car in a driveway.

The frequency of these sightings underscores the importance of public awareness and safety measures, especially in communities near water.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Alligator courtship season reached a level of absurdity when one of the large reptiles was found hiding under a military aircraft at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

NO. 1: ALLIGATOR FOUND HIDING IN LANDING GEAR OF PLANE AT FLORIDA AIR FORCE BASE, PHOTOS SHOW

A tug-of-war played out as officers moved the alligator. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

The Florida Highway Patrol noted it was an example of how troopers never know who they’ll have to rescue.

NO. 2: 9-FOOT ALLIGATOR TAKING THE EXPRESSWAY IS PULLED OVER BY FLORIDA TROOPER, PHOTOS SHOW

“I take it he was trying to get into the high-speed lane.” | Published April 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

Alligators don’t have a sense of humor, but there’s something undeniably goofy about one hanging out under a Honda on April 8 as if no one would notice.

NO. 3: ‘DO YOU SEE IT?’ BIG SURPRISE AWAITS CAR OWNER IN FLORIDA DRIVEWAY, PHOTO SHOWS

It’s the season when alligators are courting, experts say. | Published April 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

The alligator was found shortly before 5 a.m. March 31, in east Fort Myers, according to police.

NO. 4: LARGE ALLIGATOR SITTING ON FLORIDA BOULEVARD IN DARK HAD BEEN HIT BY A CAR, STATE SAYS

The gator was nearly 11 feet long, officials say. | Published April 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

Video recorded in the Bonita National Golf & Country Club in Bonita Springs shows a very large alligator took to the road in search of a lake.

NO. 5: WATCH LUMBERING ALLIGATOR BRING BICYCLIST TO TENSE STANDSTILL IN FLORIDA NEIGHBORHOOD

“I don’t care what anyone says. Those are dinosaurs.” | Published April 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

An extremely rare reptile was hatched at Gatorland Orlando, the park announced.

NO. 6: ALL-WHITE BABY GATOR — ‘RAREST ALLIGATOR IN THE WORLD’ — ON DISPLAY IN FLORIDA. SEE HER

Mystic is only one of eight leucistic gators in the world, according to a wildlife park. | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd

Two Florida alligators were recorded trying to kill each other apart in Florida’s Everglades, and video shows both resorted to the notorious death roll known to rip off body parts.

NO. 7: ‘WOW, DEATH ROLL.’ VIDEO SHOWS TWO FLORIDA ALLIGATORS RIPPING AT EACH OTHER IN RIVER

A death roll is known to rip off body parts, experts say. | Published April 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

An alligator got a feathery escort from an unlikely friend, a Florida video showed.

NO. 8: 9-FOOT ALLIGATOR WAS SEEN ‘STALKING DOG WALKERS’ IN FLORIDA. SEE DEPUTIES WRANGLE IT

The creature was “too close for comfort.” | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Alligators are native to coastal North Carolina, and are a protected game species. Only people with permits can harvest them.

NO. 9: ALLIGATOR ATTACKS WOMAN WALKING HER DOG, FLORIDA OFFICIALS SAY. TRAPPER CATCHES IT

Neighbors heard screams, news outlets report. | Published September 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

Alligators are native to coastal North Carolina, and are a protected game species. Only people with permits can harvest them.

NO. 10: GATORS AND TURTLES FOUND SWIMMING IN POOLS AT MAN’S FLORIDA HOME, COPS SAY

Wildlife officers said they found an alligator skull as well. | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.