Brash alligator wakes residents with a bang on the door

Alligators are known to show up on porches in Florida, but seldom do they knock at the door.

But thathappened this week when the unwelcome guest arrived to a home in the Rotonda area of Charlotte County, about 30 miles northwest of Fort Myers, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

It was 6 a.m. and the homeowner was awakened by the sound of someone banging on a door largely made of glass panes.

“He looked out his front door and found the gator sleeping on his doorstep,” the sheriff’s office told McClatchy News. “Trappers estimated the gator to be roughly 350 pounds” and 7 feet, 7 inches long.

A photo shared on Facebook shows the alligator was found contentedly waiting on the porch, with its snout facing the door.

The Sportsman Road area where it was found is dotted with ponds, any of which could have been the alligator’s previous home.

It is mating season for the species, a time when large males are known to leave their comfort zone in search of females.

Concerns the gator might do it again led to the reptile being carted away from the development.

“The gator was relocated to a sanctuary and will enjoy hundreds of acres of swamps and other gators to hang with,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Gators who lack fear of humans, create a dangerous situation as the gator may strike at any time killing or seriously injuring a person or animal(s).”

The department’s post has gotten hundreds of reactions, including many bemoaning the fact homes are being built atop alligator turf. Others saw the encounter as a scary teaching moment.

“Make sure you look out your peep hole before opening the door,” one person warned.