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VIDEO: Huge Alligator Spotted In Naples Community

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A HUGE alligator was spotted in a Naples community.

Living in Florida, we're no strangers to seeing gators out and about. A friend of mine always sees the wildlife I post on Instagram and thinks I live in Jurassic Park. But really, seeing these creatures right in my backyard is one of my favorite things about living in SWFL. Not that I want any encounters, but seeing them out there so peacefully basking in the sun is pretty cool.

I don't think residents of Forest Glen Golf & Country Club were expecting this sight. A 9-10 foot gator was just casually going for a stroll through the neighborhood, and of course cameras started rolling.

Whether is a huge alligator like this in a Naples community or a smaller gator anywhere in SWFL, sightings like this may start to happen more often in the coming months. It's alligator mating season.

So what can you expect? This: male alligators puffing out their chests, bellowing out deep, rumbling calls, and engaging in some serious head-butting action to win over the ladies. It's like watching a WWE match, but with scales and tails.

And the females? They're not just sitting idly by, waiting for a suitor to come along. Oh no, they're quite selective in their choice of mate. They'll examine potential suitors' size, strength, and overall fitness before making their decision. It's like a reptilian version of "The Bachelor."

But the alligators aren't just looking for love - they're also looking for a good spot to lay their eggs. And that means that they'll be on the move, traversing through neighborhoods, golf courses, and even swimming pools in search of the perfect nesting ground. 

While it's cool to see these creatures, remember to treat them with caution and respect. They're stronger and have bigger teeth than us, so you don't want to mess with them. And if you happen to stumble upon some scaly lovebirds, well, let's just say it's best to give them their privacy.

SOURCE: NBC Miami

14 Animals In Florida That Can Kill You

Southwest Florida is a tourist dream with sandy beaches, sunshine, and minor league baseball. But stray too far from civilization, and it can get pretty scary. Did Brian Laundrie kill himself because he was overwhelmed with guilt, or was it because he was about to be eaten? All they found was skeletal remains.

UPDATE: This list is from 2022. To see the the current list (with additional commentary!) you'll find that here: Power Ranking The 14 Wild Animals In Florida That Can Kill You

Let's face it, there's a lot of things down here trying to kill you. There's 6 venomous snakes in Florida, and only 2 of them were deadly enough to make this list. Our tropical environment brings danger, both on the land and in the water. The only thing we're missing is flying death. Fortunately the Pterodactyls got knocked out by evolution, or a giant meteor, or aliens, or whatever. Imagine being out golfing, maybe shooting 2 under on the 15th, it's a beautiful day and BAM a pterodactyl scoops you up for lunch. This has to be the reason why cavemen didn't golf.

Ranker took a look at the most dangerous animals here in the sunshine state. I wanted to add "Snowbird behind the wheel of a car" but decided to stick to the Florida animals that live here year round. So here we go, with 14 animals in Florida that can kill you.

Box Jellyfish

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A fun stat? Box jellyfish kill more people each year than sharks. A sting from this thing can stop your heart. Plus when you make it back to shore someone will of course volunteer to pee on you, which actually doesn't help. And - eww. Still feel like going for a swim?

The Brown Recluse Spider

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I know someone that had multiple brown recluse spider bites on her arm. She didn't die but it suuuuuuuuuucked. Necrosis, fever, vomiting are all likely symptoms.

Black Widow

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Now, normally you won't die if you get bit by one of these, but are you ready to roll the dice? One time I was at a transmitter site and opened a panel to find a black widow waiting inside. I don't help with engineering anymore. Nope.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

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It's called a rattlesnake for a reason, it'll rattle it's tail to let you know you need to move on. If unheeded, this snake has an incredible painful bite. If you don't get help immediately, you can die. Painfully.

Bull Shark

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You knew there'd be a shark on this list. Big and aggressive, they cruise the coast of Florida. If you're waist deep out in the gulf and there's little fish swimming all around you  - move. They're called bait fish for a reason.

Alligator

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Class, this is what's know as an Apex predator. Top of the food chain. More and more often we're seeing these beasts on the golf course. Don't wanna get eaten? Stick to Top Golf.

Southern Copperhead

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Look at how that thing blends in with the leaves - watch your step. Interesting fact, this snake will generally give you a warning strike with little or no venom. The second bite though...

Kissing Bugs

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It sounds friendly enough, except that the "kiss" is actually a bloodsucking bite. But that's not where the real danger is. These bugs transfer a parasite that transmits Chagas, which may lead to fatal cardiac arrest.

Great White Shark

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Yes, as in "Jaws". Like old people from New York, they come down here in the winter for the warmer climate. And occasionally nibble on a swimmer.

Fire ants

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I've been bit by fire ants many times, it's not fun. Twice outside the Walmart in North Fort Myers. Fortunately for me after the first couple of bites I'm smart enough to get out of the grass. If you're allergic, or even if you get enough bites, your body can swell up to the point where you suffocate. The best way to avoid this is to stay inside and play video games.

Barracuda

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Super sharp teeth and don't normally attack humans. These things can swim up to 35 mph and if something shiny catches their eye, like a necklace on a swimmer, they might accidentally attack. And of course, you know, there's the song.

Wild Boar

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If you live in a rural area down here, you've seen these things. They are mean, and will attack. The best part? They're full of diseases and bacteria - including anthrax. They've been doing a lot of trapping and relocating these beast from areas along the Estero River. They demolish landscaping.

Panther

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There's actually no reported deaths in Florida from panther attacks, although they have been know to take down livestock. No human deaths in Florida, don't want to be the first.

Black Bear

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If they do attack, they tend to maul rather than kill. So, maybe scarring and horrible disfigurement? Black bears live in the rural areas and are quite known to sift through trash and if you leave pet food outside - you may get a new pet. I also remember a story of one coming into a guy's garage and opening the fridge.

MarijaEditor
Marija is a morning show host on WXKB/B1039 and midday host on WRXK/96KRock. She loves to write about food, travel, and things to do around the state of Florida.