Florida Alligator Causes Stir in Publix Parking Lot

G’day, mates! Today we’re talking about one of the most misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom: the mighty Florida alligator.

Recently, some Pinellas Park police officers were called to a Publix parking lot to help out a gator that was reportedly “hungry for a PubSub”. Now, that’s a sandwich that even I can get behind!

According WFLA, when the officers arrived on the scene, they spotted a 5-6-foot gator wandering along the sidewalk, making its way towards the bustling intersection. But this wasn’t just any old gator, this was a hungry gator on a mission!

The gator eventually made its way into the Publix parking lot, presumably in search of the coveted PubSub sandwich. Now, for those unlucky few that never had one of these sandwiches, Trust me. If they’re good enough to lure in a gator, then they're something really special!

Thankfully, the Pinellas Park police officers were quick to act, doing their best to keep the gator away from traffic and the unsuspecting shoppers in the area. And as if that wasn’t exciting enough, the Florida Fish and Wildlife team eventually arrived on the scene to help relocate the gator to a nearby body of water.

Now, some folks might think that alligators are just big, scary monsters with a taste for human flesh. But let me tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Alligators are just like any other animal - they’re hungry, they’re curious, and they’re looking for a mate. And if they happen to wander into a Publix parking lot along the way, well, who can blame them?

So there you have it, folks - the tale of the hungry gator in the Publix parking lot. Remember, it’s always important to respect these magnificent creatures and give them the space they need to live their lives. And who knows? If you’re lucky, you might just spot one of these amazing animals on your next trip to the grocery store!

In the world of Florida alligators, courtship typically begins during the month of April. May and June are the usual alligator mating season. Though we are only two weeks into the month, there have already been a handful of reports in the state detailing strange alligator behavior.

Last week in Oviedo, a crew of public workers were surprised to find a five-foot alligator staring at them while examining a stormwater pipe. They had been tasked with looking into various potholes in Seminole County.

"Using a four-wheeled remote-control robot with a built-in camera, the team scrutinized the underground piping for any defects or blockages, only to discover a 5-foot alligator blocking the drains," Newsweek reported. Apparently, the crew followed the alligator through the pipe. Eventually, their robotic camera got dismantled and the alligator roamed away. The Newsweek report has still of the incident.

In the Fort White area, three women were casually floating down the Ichetucknee River on tubes. Suddenly, they were greeted by an alligator hissing at them. The alligator was resting upon a log. It was believed to be protecting its nest. Fox 13 secured some video clips of the strange sounds.

Last week, a Kendall resident found a not-so-friendly alligator enjoying a swim in their backyard pool. UPI reported that wildlife officials responded to the call and attempted to capture the 10-foot gator. The pool was not screened in. There is also a body of water close by where they believe the alligator might have come from. A crew member who came to the rescue explained that any alligator captured over four feet will be put in captivity.

Finally, Field and Stream has footage of other recent strange occurrences that have happened during alligator mating season. These include one alligator bending a metal fence, one walking across the street in Naples, and one at the front door of a house.

Here are a few things to know about the May and June alligator mating season in Florida.

You are more likely too see an alligator during mating season. Mating season aligns to this time of year partially due to the weather warming up. This in turn makes the alligators more comfortable with coming out. It was not uncommon for alligators to be seen more than usual this past winter due to the weather being warmer this year.

These are the times of day when an alligator is most active. They can be found in any body of water. They react to any splashing of water. At water's edge, they likely think any movement is an animal. Lower water levels also increase their movement abilities.

There are some general precautions you can take during alligator mating season. You should never feed them. In Florida, it's against the law to feed any animal living in the wild. It also makes them more comfortable around humans when you you feed them; it also teaches them to associate people with food. Keep your pets away from alligator friendly areas and bodies of water that have rising waters. Be aware that the size of the alligator does not matter in regards to how much damage it can cause. Smaller sized are also dangerous. If you were being chased by an alligator, it is best to run away in a straight line.

Lastly, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission can always be contacted here, where you can also find additional information.