Alligators an impressive part of the local scenery, with or without stripes

Greenfield Plantation alligator, probably one of many. (Photo provided by Gene Caufield)

Gene Caufield of Greenfield Plantation called this week to ask about the alligator in a pond behind his house.

Gene thought it was an unusual gator because it had stripes. He had never seen one like it before.

Could it be a mutant of some kind? A new species of gator?

In checking with Gary Morse of the  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, I learned that nope, it's just a young alligator.

Young gators often have stripes, Morse said.

Maybe it's Mother Nature's way of providing a little camouflage, like spots on a fawn.

Take a look at Gene's photo he offered of the gator sunning on the bank. When I arrived, the gator was submerged near the bank, with only the nostrils and eyes protruding above the surface.

After a few moments, the gator seemed to grow nervous and moved away to the opposite side of the pond. That's a good sign because the experts tell us gators shouldn't get comfortable around people.

Don't feed them, don't bother them, and don't let little dogs and babies near them. Otherwise, enjoy watching them, this ancient part of natural Florida, from a distance.

For anyone who has lived in Florida any length of time, probably none of  this is news. If there is a pond in your neighborhood, you may have seen a gator, as well as turtles, fish, wading birds, or even an otter.

For more on gators, visit the link below to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website:

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/facts/

and check out our gallery:

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/04/18/4003702/greenfield-plantation-alligator.html#wgt=rcntmulti

Jim