Current:Home > NewsSurpassing:Watch: Alligator marches down golf course on Florida golf course as mating season nears -VitalWealth Strategies
Surpassing:Watch: Alligator marches down golf course on Florida golf course as mating season nears
Chainkeen Exchange View
Date:2025-04-11 03:12:10
A Florida golfer was enjoying the sunshine on Surpassingthe green when he spotted something prehistoric-looking.
An alligator at least 10-feet long was marching on the pristine golf course grass in Rotonda West, Florida, on the Gulf Coast.
Local resident Chris Hulback captured the moment on video, finding fascination in the bow-legged creature making his way from one pond to another.
"In Southwest Florida especially, we are living amongst dinosaurs when we see them that big." Hulback told USA TODAY in an interview Monday. "There's something really fun about it."
Between the gator's appearance on land and the tooth stuck in his jaw, Hulback said this is a sign alligator mating season is underway.
Gators galore:Florida airboat flips sending 9 passengers into gator-infested waters, operator arrested
Video shows gator marching on golf course
Hulback recorded the video March 23 on the fairway of the Rotonda Golf & Country Club Palms course.
He said he commonly sees gators in the golf course ponds, in the water or on the bank, but seeing it out in the open like that is rare.
The video shows Hulback carefully drive up next to the gator in the golf cart as it takes slow, clunky steps from hole 11 to hole 10 in search of a mate.
"They don't have quite the advantage on land, so I wasn't overly wasn't overly concerned about the alligator," Hulback said, noting he just let the gator go on his way and did not notify officials. "No reason to harm him whatsoever. He was here long before I was here."
If you look closely, Hulback says, you can see a four-inch alligator tooth wedged in the gator's jaw, likely from a mating season battle.
April kicks off alligator mating season
The gator may seem out of place, but sightings like this are going to be more common over the next few months, especially in Florida, home to approximately 1.3 million alligators.
Alligator mating season starts in April and lasts through June. During this time, males get more aggressive and some kick weaker males out of their turf.
The alligators that get sent packing can travel hundreds of acres of land, making them more likely to turn up in residential pools, golf courses or yards.
Contributing: Lianna Norman, Victoria Brown; USA TODAY Network
veryGood! (25)
Related
- Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
- How will Louisiana’s new Ten Commandments classroom requirement be funded and enforced?
- Shaboozey Shoots His Shot on an Usher Collab
- Horoscopes Today, June 29, 2024
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- The high price of summer: Daycare and camp costs are rising. Here's how to save money
- See them while you can: Climate change is reshaping iconic US destinations
- Delaware lawmakers approve first leg of constitutional amendment to reform bail system
- Louisiana high court temporarily removes Judge Eboni Johnson Rose from Baton Rouge bench amid probe
- Simone Biles secures third trip to the Olympics after breezing to victory at U.S. trials
Ranking
- RFK Jr. closer to getting on New Jersey ballot after judge rules he didn’t violate ‘sore loser’ law
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Chest Binders
- There are 4.8 billion reasons why other leagues are watching the fallout from ‘Sunday Ticket’ case
- India edges South Africa to win T20 World Cup cricket title
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Temporary clerk to be appointed after sudden departures from one Pennsylvania county court
- The high price of summer: Daycare and camp costs are rising. Here's how to save money
- 22 million Miniverse Make It Mini toys recalled for resins that can burn skin
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Detroit Pistons hiring J.B. Bickerstaff as next head coach
Inside the Real Love Lives of Bridgerton Stars
Juan Estrada vs. Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez live: Updates, card for WBC super flyweight title
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Justin Timberlake seems to joke about DWI arrest at Boston concert
Justin Timberlake seems to joke about DWI arrest at Boston concert
Who plays Carmy, Sydney and Richie in 'The Bear'? See the full Season 3 cast