Dog Community

Hazards of Louisiana driving (check out this gator)

Posted : 8/25/2006 10:27:20 PM

Two days ago, Brett and I were on our way to town when we came across this odd thing on the side of the road. From far away, it looked like tire shreds from a large truck, but as we got closer, we realized it was an alligator attempting to cross the road. He was well over six feet long, but most of his tail was still in the grassy/swampy area. So there we sat on an empty road gawking at the gator (because we'd never been that close before even though we see them constantly), and luckily, I had my phone so I snapped two pics before he lost interest in us and headed back into the swamp.

Roxie865

Posted : 8/25/2006 10:34:30 PM

There are "tales" of gators being in the Tennessee River, but I don't believe it. A guy in Clarksville, Tenn. caught a piranha in a river a few days ago ... who knows what lurks in the water? Lakes and rivers are so gross anyway ... [:'(]

He is The Boss

Posted : 8/25/2006 10:58:52 PM

That is so awesome!!! I would be fascinated to see one in person, but would surely keep my distance [

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Mark

Posted : 8/25/2006 11:53:39 PM

another rerason i am glad i live in new england...lol

those things are scary!!!lol

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/26/2006 12:10:11 AM

I'm in "Floor-da" (yep, that's how the locals say it) and you see those good ole boys here too. Back when I first moved down here, one night I had to drive across SR 50 to the east coast to pick up a friend at the airport and got totally spooked by the DARK road. There is just nothing blacker than a starless/moonless night here -- Florida is totally FLAT so you get this wide expanse of sky and it's just like ink.

Almost the next day after I shook my way home that night, there was an article in the newpaper about a woman travelling a similar road just south of me. It was a bad night and very dark so she was crawling along and the headlights were nigh on worthless. Suddenly the car went 'bump' like she'd run over a log and the car actually got 'stuck' on it and she was afraid she'd snagged something under neath and it was making a weird growly sound. She got the flashlight out of the glovebox and opened the door and went to step out and encountered this squishy 'log' under her foot except it MOVED. As she pulled her foot back in and shone the light down she had run over a big old 12' gator. And he was MAD.

She screamed and jumped in and about this time Mr. Gator objected to having his butt stepped on and reached around and grabbed her front bumper with his mouth and started to shake the car.

About this time she lost interest in her exhaust system, started the car and GUNNED it for all it was worth and she drove back over the gator and got to the next town (which was the coast) and sent back the troopers. Mr. Gator was wounded and they put him out of his misery - but I haven't driven on dark state roads at night since ,,, at keast not alone.

jeano

Posted : 8/26/2006 12:25:16 AM

Hmmm......now I have to ponder.......which is worse? Getting a flat tire and getting bitten by a gator as you change your tire? Or hitting a moose? Hmmmm......

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/26/2006 12:52:47 AM

Moral of the story Jeano -- don't tick off the local wildlife. Kinda like don't tick off an owl and stand under his limb -- he'll throw up his crop on you (they can regurgitate their last lovely meal voluntarily -- so dead rodent guts rain down on your head).

Then again, maybe that's why our Mom's told us to be home before dark?? *grin*

jeano

Posted : 8/26/2006 1:39:53 AM

ORIGINAL: calliecritturs
Then again, maybe that's why our Mom's told us to be home before dark?? *grin*

Yeah, so you don't get et by gators! [

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magilacudy

Posted : 8/26/2006 8:22:02 AM

That is so cool. Hey Glenda, I bet you'd prefer snakes to this guy.[

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glenmar

Posted : 8/26/2006 8:29:24 AM

Actually, no. I worked in Hilton Head, SC and one of my clients was in a little shopping center right next to a canal. The resident gator was often about 20 yards from the shop door laying in the sun. He was hard to see since he was usually rather muddy, but in my experience, you've gotta really tick off a gator to get it to bother you...that or walk by with a small dog. Snakes are just THERE and they are so danged sneaky.....I'll take gators anyday....at least you can SEE them before you step on them!

sharismom

Posted : 8/26/2006 8:40:04 AM

Cool pics!

yanke

Posted : 8/26/2006 9:25:53 AM

I'm surprised you didn't "rescue" him. I can just see the elborate cage around the bathtub!

sillysally

Posted : 8/26/2006 2:17:19 PM

ORIGINAL: Roxie865

There are "tales" of gators being in the Tennessee River, but I don't believe it. A guy in Clarksville, Tenn. caught a piranha in a river a few days ago ... who knows what lurks in the water? Lakes and rivers are so gross anyway ... [:'(]

Bull sharks can swim in fresh water. Full sized adults been found well up the Mississippi River.

marlania

Posted : 8/26/2006 2:30:32 PM

ORIGINAL: yanke

I'm surprised you didn't "rescue" him. I can just see the elborate cage around the bathtub!

As fun as that sounds, I like to bathe, and I think the rest of my animals would object.[

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willowchow

Posted : 8/26/2006 2:36:28 PM

and I think the rest of my animals would object

I would think, isn't it Grey who hides in the shower?? Where would he go when he's guilty?? I really like the pictures though, that's unreal to me, also a New Englander. You just don't see that here.