In Polk County, Florida, an enormous gator has garnered thousands of views and more than 12,000 shares on social media as he slowly crossed the path of shocked tourists. Of course, it’s not unusual for Florida residents to see alligators wandering freely along swamps, golf courses and occasionally tracking into residential neighborhoods, but just the size of this one has captured the attention of anyone ever doubting these reptiles could grow to this enormous size.
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center’s purpose as part of the Environmental Lands Program is to acquire, preserve, protect, manage, and restore endangered and environmentally sensitive lands, water resources and important wildlife habitat. The area is used for outdoor recreational purposes provided that such uses will not disturb or degrade the environmental quality for which the site was acquired. Polk’s Nature Discovery Center is situated at Polk County’s Circle B Bar Reserve. The facilities at Circle B Bar Reserve were opened November 2008 and act as an information station for its visitors free of charge.
On the organization’s Facebook page, the gator referred to as Mr. Humpback was spotted on the Marsh Rabbit Run trail. Some of the reactions from the video viewers included:
“Thomas G. LunsfordAt first , i thought this was photoshopped. That thing is ginormous!!Kim JoinerNo photoshop. He was the biggest gator I have seen out there. I have been going out there for years too.”
“Jamie MurdochThat big boy crossed in front of me last spring!! My heart stopped in my chest for a moment because I wasn’t expecting it and was so close, but boy what an amazing experience that was!!!”
Just in case you doubt the gator’s existence, here’s the short video shot by visitor Kim Joiner:
https://www.facebook.com/kim.joiner.796/videos/967289513416162/
That’s some big alligator
Sorry, but, Holy shit!
Holy hell!!
Ouf….impressionnant. ????
I thought they run really fast and eat anything including humans
I’m guessing he is really old to have grown so large. He may only have 1st gear.
I would love to see him found when he’s close to or at end of life. He’d be amazing to see in that exact walking pose in a nature museum!
Oh Man is he a big boy. That path was what, 4′ wide? If so I would estimate him to be about 8 – 12′
I just want 2 see the big fella left the HELL ALONE! F’n POACHERZ, curious DUMBASS PEOPLE, ETC!!!