FORT MYERS, Fla. – A wild scene was caught on camera inside a South Florida home when a man found an alligator in his living room.
Paul Quinn lives in Fort Myers. He said he discovered the unwanted reptile in his kitchen after waking up Sunday morning.
“And I’m like, ‘Oh crap I got to deal with this today?’” Quinn said.
Quinn said he kept his distance and waited for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to respond.
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When they tried to haul the gator outside, it didn’t want to leave. The gator even took a bite out of one of the family’s dining room chairs.
The homeowners said they usually leave their doors open to get some extra breeze. The reptile reportedly got in by busting through a screen and walked right into the home.
The most effective way to avoid tangling with an alligator is to avoid it entirely. Here’s what to do to avoid encounters with these large reptiles, according to the University of Florida:
- Don’t feed wild alligators (it’s illegal): It can make the gators associate humans with food and lose their natural fear of people.
- Don’t throw fish scraps in trash cans: Such scraps can unintentionally attract gators looking for an easy snack.
- Follow directions on signs: Don’t go swimming anywhere outside of posted swimming areas.
- Swim during daylight hours: Alligators are most active at night, so daytime is probably a safer option.
- Keep an eye on children and pets: Never allow small children to play unattended near the water and avoid letting your pets too close to the shoreline, as they may resemble the reptiles’ natural prey.