A Florida family reported a frightening encounter early Tuesday morning when they awoke to find a 7-foot, 6-inch alligator blocking their front door. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. in Palm Bay, as the reptile's tail repeatedly struck the door, alerting the residents.
Homeowner Sierra Wynn described the alligator as making "such a deep guttural hiss and growl," and stated that it "looked so mean." Footage from a security camera captured the large alligator sprawled outside the residence. Wynn expressed relief that the cameras alerted her family, noting that she was unaware of the animal's presence until it was at the door.
At the time of the sighting, Wynn's Shih Tzu, Gracie, was near the front door. Wynn quickly moved her dog to another room. She recounted that the alligator "didn't even move" but instead appeared startled, growling and hissing at her. The encounter felt "like a scene from a movie," Wynn told Florida Today.
Palm Bay police were contacted and subsequently informed a contracted trapper about the alligator. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) eventually removed the reptile from the neighborhood. The FWC has stated that relocated alligators often attempt to return to their original location.
Despite the alarming event, Wynn, who has lived in Palm Bay since 2005, indicated that the family does not plan to move. The FWC noted that while alligator mating season is nearing its end, lower water levels are causing alligators to move more frequently. The commission estimates there are approximately 1.3 million alligators in Florida, present in all 67 counties.
Authorities advise the public to avoid approaching any alligators spotted in residential areas and to contact law enforcement, who will then coordinate with the FWC for a response.
