WATCH: 11-Foot-Long Gator Swims at His Own Risk in Backyard Pool
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Florida homeowners beware: one big gator has been found splashing in a backyard swimming pool and it took a trapper to drag it away.
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office posted images and video of the floating gator late Friday on Twitter, saying it measured 11 feet long.
As of Monday, the viral video post had more than 1,200 shares and a lot of commenters weighing in mostly out of shock — a completely normal reaction for seeing an animal that large just hanging out in the pool.
Police said the gator busted through a screen to get into the pool.
With temperatures warming, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission warns that the state's estimated 1.3 million gators are becoming more active — and should be treated with "caution and respect." There've been at least two other gator sightings in yards recently, one mistaken for a burglar.
They explain in this video how to get along living with gators.
Living with Alligators PSA 2018 from My FWC on Vimeo.
Injuries from alligators are rare, but the commission urges swimming only in designated areas of rivers and lakes.
As for backyard swimming pools, it makes no mention. But for some homeowners, that too is "swim at your own risk."
NH1 contributed material to this story.
