Holy alligator shoes and purses! No, this is not a scene from a new sequel to "Jurassic Park" nor is it a promotional snapshot for another "Lake Placid" film. Recently, visitors at the Polk County Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida were stunned when an alligator estimated to be between 14 and 16 feet in length casually crossed their path. The scary looking behemoth seemed as though he couldn't care less as tourists gasped at the sight while calmly taking photos.
Witness Kim Joiner posted a video of the encounter on the Polk Nature Discovery Center Facebook page.
Joiner wrote that although she has visited the 1,267 acre nature preserve for years, this was the biggest gator she has ever seen. Joiner told local news station WFLA that it was typical to see gators walk from one marsh to another, but she was excited to be present at the right time to see this one.
Land of lakes, lovely swans and yes, alligators
The Circle B Bar Reserve is a stretch of protected land located in the Central Florida city of Lakeland. Home to the Fortune 500 Publix grocery store chain and Detroit Tigers' training camp, Lakeland is a beautiful small city filled with gorgeous homes, swaying palm trees, great shopping and 38 lakes spread throughout. Located off the I-4 corridor, Lakeland is conveniently sandwiched between Tampa and Orlando.
Last year, the city made headlines when another, less larger alligator was seen with a human body in its mouth. The alligator was spotted in Lake Hunter, which is a part of the Lake Hunter residential community near the downtown area. Frightened by all the commotion, the gator dropped the body and left the area, allowing authorities to retrieve the remains.
Brave locals often water ski in Lake Hunter.
There is no swimming around alligators
It is quite common to see alligators in many of the Sunshine State's lakes, rivers and streams. It's just part of the natural order of things there. Therefore, people are cautioned against swimming in bodies of water where these creatures may be prevalent, particularly at night. Splashing in water tends to attract this other type of "Jaws."
