Photo: Courtesy Kyle HusseyA large alligator was spotted on a Florida beach on Friday, sunning itself before heading back into the ocean.The animal was reportedly around 10-ft. long, according to Kyle Hussey, who saw and photographed the animal as it swam to shore from the ocean at Melbourne Beach.After laying on the beach for about 10 minutes, the alligator went back to the ocean.The National Ocean Service said alligators typically aren’t found in the ocean.“Whilealligators can tolerate salt water for a few hours or even days, they are primarily freshwater animals, living in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds,” the organization’s website reads.Courtesy Kyle HusseyAccording to Fox 35 Orlando, Hussey said thata Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer also spotted the alligator, and reported it to authorities.Just last week,another huge alligator was pulled from the ocean at Delray Beach, about 135 miles from Melbourne Beach, and taken to a local farm.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Around 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, according tothe FWC’s website. In 2021, nearly 9,500 nuisance alligators — described as being at least 4 ft. in length and posing “a threat to people, pets or property” —were killedin the state.Under the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), the FWC aims “to proactively address alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur.“Anyone concerned about a nuisance alligator in Florida is asked to call the FWC’s toll-free hotline at 866-392-4286.
Photo: Courtesy Kyle Hussey
A large alligator was spotted on a Florida beach on Friday, sunning itself before heading back into the ocean.The animal was reportedly around 10-ft. long, according to Kyle Hussey, who saw and photographed the animal as it swam to shore from the ocean at Melbourne Beach.After laying on the beach for about 10 minutes, the alligator went back to the ocean.The National Ocean Service said alligators typically aren’t found in the ocean.“Whilealligators can tolerate salt water for a few hours or even days, they are primarily freshwater animals, living in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds,” the organization’s website reads.Courtesy Kyle HusseyAccording to Fox 35 Orlando, Hussey said thata Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer also spotted the alligator, and reported it to authorities.Just last week,another huge alligator was pulled from the ocean at Delray Beach, about 135 miles from Melbourne Beach, and taken to a local farm.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Around 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, according tothe FWC’s website. In 2021, nearly 9,500 nuisance alligators — described as being at least 4 ft. in length and posing “a threat to people, pets or property” —were killedin the state.Under the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), the FWC aims “to proactively address alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur.“Anyone concerned about a nuisance alligator in Florida is asked to call the FWC’s toll-free hotline at 866-392-4286.
A large alligator was spotted on a Florida beach on Friday, sunning itself before heading back into the ocean.
The animal was reportedly around 10-ft. long, according to Kyle Hussey, who saw and photographed the animal as it swam to shore from the ocean at Melbourne Beach.
After laying on the beach for about 10 minutes, the alligator went back to the ocean.
The National Ocean Service said alligators typically aren’t found in the ocean.
“Whilealligators can tolerate salt water for a few hours or even days, they are primarily freshwater animals, living in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds,” the organization’s website reads.
Courtesy Kyle Hussey
According to Fox 35 Orlando, Hussey said thata Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer also spotted the alligator, and reported it to authorities.
Just last week,another huge alligator was pulled from the ocean at Delray Beach, about 135 miles from Melbourne Beach, and taken to a local farm.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Around 1.3 million alligators live in Florida, according tothe FWC’s website. In 2021, nearly 9,500 nuisance alligators — described as being at least 4 ft. in length and posing “a threat to people, pets or property” —were killedin the state.
Under the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), the FWC aims “to proactively address alligator threats in developed areas, while conserving alligators in areas where they naturally occur.”
Anyone concerned about a nuisance alligator in Florida is asked to call the FWC’s toll-free hotline at 866-392-4286.
source: people.com
