As if Hurricane Milton's devastating winds and storm surge weren't enough to worry about, wildlife experts are warning of another danger: hungry alligators.
Christopher Gillette runs an animal sanctuary in northern Florida. Alert Instagram followers After the storm, the crocodiles “will be moving through flood waters.”
“Please stay as far away from the floodwaters as possible,” Gillette said in the video, crouching next to the alligator.
“Obviously there's a state of emergency, so people are trying to do what they have to do, but don't go outside if you can,” he said.
a scary video, Retrieved from ABC7 Newsa North Fort Myers resident is seen dodging a giant alligator's teeth outside his home Wednesday night.
When the man opened his car door, he saw the crocodile jump out of the floodwaters and munch on the car, just meters away from him.
“That was a big crocodile that bit my tire!'' he yelled, jumping back.
During storms, the alligators “lay crouched and hold their breath for six hours at a time,” Gillette said.
But once the storm passes, the floodwaters “become like an open highway for them,” conservationists say.
Crocodiles usually don't want to interact with humans, but “they like small animals like pets,” he said, urging victims to keep their dogs out of the water.
He also urged people not to touch snakes that spill out of their burrows. “Please keep in mind that most venomous snake bites occur when people are trying to kill the snake. Leave it alone.”
“And be considerate of wildlife,” he added. “Many of them will be displaced by the storm trying to survive just like you.”
