We sometimes poke fun at the Florida man, but we can’t help but admire the eight who bravely removed a massive alligator from a southwest Florida road.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Earlier this week, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office shared a video of seven deputies and one skilled trapper lifting a 14-foot, 600-pound alligator off the road.
How Often Are There Alligators on the Road in Florida?
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are an estimated 1.3 million alligators. The agency lists a few rules for coexisting with the reptiles, which are protected by federal and state law. They include never feeding the animals, keeping pets away from the water’s edge, and giving the creatures plenty of space.
Alligators aren’t limited to the coastline, either. They can be found in any body of freshwater, from lakes to ponds and even drainage ditches. The creatures have been spotted in all 67 counties of the state.
Most alligators stick close to the water and try to avoid the roads. However, there are those rare times when the four-legged creatures can cause problems for Sunshine State drivers…