Huge American crocodile is spotted in Florida pool – with apex predator hissing and thrashing menacingly after being pulled from water by brave trapper
- The 10-foot-tall black creature was seen in the blue-lit pool in Florida, kicking its body in circles
- Crocodiles are an endangered species in Florida and endangered throughout the United States
A huge American crocodile was spotted in a Florida pool – as the apex predator hissed at the two experts who tried to remove it and move it to its habitat.
The 10-foot-long beast was in someone’s backyard pool and began to splash around and make waves, before being pulled out of the water by a brave trapper in the early hours of the morning.
Todd Hardwick, the expert game catcher, first tried to drag the crocodile out of the water on the other side, but without success. “We’ve got a smooth pool deck here now,” he said, after the splashes had made a mess across the tiles.
Meanwhile, the black 10-foot-tall creature could be seen in the blue-lit pool kicking its body in circles.
The experts, including assistant trapper Jeff Peterla, then tried to drag him back out by the head—and finally pulled him out of the water on June 11.
The 10-foot-long beast swung around, creating waves in the pool, before being pulled out of the water by a brave trapper in the early hours of the morning
The giant crocodile had found its way into a homeowner’s swimming pool
But the crocodile then kept turning over and over on its back while tied by the mouth with the expert’s rope.
One of the men then climbed onto the crocodile’s back and stabilized it so that it could not move.
They both agreed that the animal was bigger than they expected.
The crocodile, once taken to a safe place with the help of a Monroe County officer, was seen shuffling in the water and continuing on its way.
Pesky Critters posted on Instagram, writing, “CRIKEY! That’s a CROCODILE!
At 2 a.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2023, conservationists received a call from a Plantation Key homeowner at 90 Mile Marker about a HUGE 10-foot American crocodile in their pool.
Pesky Critters Wildlife Control hunters were sent out to fulfill their role as FWC Crocodile Agents.
Expert game catcher Todd Hardwick quickly restrained the crocodile, even after the massive splashes created a slippery and dangerous situation on the pool deck.
The crocodile, once taken to a safe place with the help of a Monroe County officer, was seen shuffling in the water and continuing on its way
The crocodile is seen, half in the water, dragged out by the handler
It was eventually released back into its own habitat
Crocodiles splash around in the water when frightened – meaning the crocodile’s movements in the Florida pool show he was in distress (stock image)
He and assistant trapper Jeff Peterla hoisted it onto the deck, where a Monroe County (MCSO – Florida Keys) officer helped them move it to a safe location for release.
“The footage shows Todd Hardwick removing his bonds after being moved and gently but safely encouraging him back into his habitat.
“Crocodiles are an endangered species in Florida and everywhere else in the United States.”
The American crocodile is protected as an endangered species by the Federal Endangered Species Act – and as a federally designated endangered species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.
They are most common in the US around the coastlines of South Florida. They live in brackish or salt water areas and can be found in ponds, bays and creeks in mangrove swamps.
Crocodiles also splash around in the water when they’re frightened — meaning the crocodile’s movements in Florida’s pool show it was in distress.
In general, crocodiles are more aggressive. Alligators kill about one person per year in the United States. However, crocodiles kill about 1,000 people a year in Africa alone.