Owning a pool, while definitely quite awesome, has some major down sides. For one, it’s expensive, causing your water and energy bills to skyrocket. It also requires a fair amount of work to keep clean and chemically balanced, unless you want to hire someone to do it for you. Finally, when you own a pool, everyone in your neighborhood is going to constantly bother you asking if they can come by for a dip.
These homeowners found that out the hard way, when they found a HUGE 10-foot American Crocodile relaxing, uninvited, in their backyard pool in Plantation Key, Florida. The video posted to Facebook by Pesky Critters Wildlife Control shows wildlife trapper Todd Hardwick expertly securing the beast and, with the assistance of several others, moving it back to its habitat.
“CRIKEY! That’s a CROCODILE! At 2am Sunday, June 11, 2023 wildlife officials received a call from a homeowner in Plantation Key at Mile Marker 90 about a MASSIVE 10ft american crocodile in their pool. Pesky Critters Wildlife Control trappers were dispatched to fulfill their role as FWC Crocodile Agents.” – Pesky Critters
Pesky Critters wants to remind those who live in American Crocodile habitat that the animals are a threatened species in Florida and endangered in every other state. The following are tips provided by Pesky Critters for safely coexisting with crocodiles:
“-Keep a safe distance if you see a crocodile. Be aware that crocodiles often will bask with an open mouth to regulate their body temperature, and there’s no cause for concern if you see this behavior.
-Swim only in designated swimming areas and only during daylight hours. Crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn.
-Keep pets on a leash and away from the water, even designated swimming areas, because they can resemble the crocodile’s natural prey.
-Pet owners who live on the water where American crocodiles may occur should consider erecting fencing on their property that effectively places a barrier between their pets and crocodiles.
-Never feed crocodiles – it is illegal and dangerous. When fed, they can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food.
-Dispose of fish scraps in designated waste containers because discarding scraps in the water may attract them. Also, avoid feeding other aquatic animals such as ducks because that also can attract crocodiles.” – Pesky Critters
Image Credit: Pesky Critters via Facebook