FOLLOW UP: Florida Fish and Wildlife Alligator Biologist Provides Information On Huge Gator
By Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission // January 31, 2017
HUGE GATOR COULD BE 40 TO 50 YEARS OLD
ABOVE VIDEO: Back on January 15, photographers at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County got quite a treat when they spotted the gargantuan gator walking by.
LAKELAND, FLORIDA (FWC) – On Jan. 15, Sean Buckley snapped this photo of the American alligator that’s been seen around the world.
Sean and his wife Kristi were walking along a trail at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland when the alligator emerged on the path.
“It appears to be an extremely large alligator that exceeds 12 or 13 feet,” said Arnold Brunell, FWC alligator biologist.
“In order to get that large, it is likely very old, possibly greater than 40 or 50 years old. As far as weight, it possibly exceeds 400 or 500 pounds.
Alligators of this size are males, and the maximum size of female alligators is around 9-10 feet.
This particular alligator is well-known in the area and has been given the nickname “Humpback”.
It’s relatively uncommon to see alligators of this size on most public waters because of recreational and nuisance harvests. This is due to the fact that some are harvested, and others become wary and limit their visibility.
Alligators of this size can be more common in areas that prohibit hunting, such as Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and Myakka River State Park.”
Alligators, like all wild animals, deserve respect and space. They are predators, and their nature is not to be attracted to humans. Please observe wildlife from a distance, and do not feed, follow or approach them.
You can click below to read the original story from January 16, 2017.
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