There are commonly alligator sightings in Lake Kissimmee, Lake George, and Sand Lake, just to name a few. Updated May 11, 2022. Lake Seminole . Ellis captures a 6'4 alligator from a golf course in St. While captive, alligators can reach ages of 50-60 years old; in the wild they regularly reach 35-40 years of age. Even still, there have been. In Lake Harris, there are 750 large gators and a total of about 1,200, or 30 per mile of shoreline. Alligators can sometimes be found in river deltas. Updated September 30, 2021 9:20 AM. Even if the bite doesn’t seem bad, an alligator’s mouth is packed with bacteria that will lead to infection. “This alligator was found between Centre and Leesburg, Alabama near a house! Game wardens were forced to shoot the alligator — guess he wouldn’t cooperate,” the e-mail states. The St. SuzeAtlanta. Table of Contents show. Two brothers from Harris County have caught what is believed to be the largest alligator harvested from Lake Harding. Morgan Hart, Alligator Project Leader. Harding Road Trail - 5. Several lakes around San Antonio are known to be home to alligators, including Calaveras Lake, Braunig Lake, and Lake Dunlap. Do not intentionally feed an alligator no matter what its size. They can be found across any wetland areas or marshes that are common in coastal regions. It is 41 miles long and 14 miles wide and has about 650 miles of shoreline, including sandy beaches. Eustis has 300 large gators and a total of about 500. Alligators’ presence is in freshwater lakes, ponds, marshy areas, and streams. If you come across an alligator in this area, slowly move away from them and. "10-foot gator at the golf community grabbed the 85-year-old woman by the foot. The answers: Yes—Fonda, Pullman, and White (plus Oliver Platt and Brendan Gleeson) played the major roles in the movie. For alligator and other wildlife-related emergencies, call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-922-5431. Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest/Facebook/David ArbourAlligators are usually around 800 pounds and nine feet long, but there have been some reported at just over 1000 pounds and 12 feet long. Esophageal structure and function were studied in juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Another spot is Lake Hancock, which is at the center of the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland. Contact a real estate agent to help you with buying or selling. 1. Yes, naturally, alligators do live in Lake Lanier. 091°W Lake Harding, also known as Bartlett's Ferry Lake, is a 5,850-acre (23. Some of the best places to see alligators are Brazos Bend State Park, Bay Area Park, Buffalo Bayou, Lake Huston, Caddo Lake, and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Deputies said that around 1:50 p. It is believed that alligators may go through thousands of teeth. Large alligator lounges in the sun along a lagoon in South Carolina. 5 inches long. According to Howze, the alligator was 13 feet 4 inches long, with an estimated weight of around 700-750 pounds. Deep gratitude to Dr. The Everglades National Park is the third-largest national park in the United States! With over 200,000 wild alligators calling this park their home, this is one of the best places to. Located in north Georgia’s mountainous Rabun County, Lake Burton measures 2,775 acres and is managed by the Georgia Power Company. KSA Parks officials say alligator sightings are not entirely uncommon for areas bordering Lake Houston waterways and have been reported many times over the years. Contact a real estate agent to help you with buying or selling. With the opening of the newly renovated Gator Alley Boardwalk in Daphne, it's time to review some facts about Alabama alligators along with some tips in being safe around the reptile's habitat. An alligator, 4 to 7 feet long, dragged the victim under water in the Seven Seas Lagoon about 9:00 p. Alligators have wider U-shaped snouts whereas crocodiles have narrow snouts. S. The Mitchell Dam tailwater area at the upper end of the lake is a popular recreational area to many anglers with ample bank fishing access. American alligators occur naturally in North Carolina. With the majority of Florida’s populationLocated on the Oklahoma – Texas border on the Red River, Lake Texoma is the 12th largest U. With the appropriate licenses and tags, the American alligator can legally be hunted in the Southeastern United States . Alligators And Snakes In Lake Norman In 2000, sightings of alligators were reported in the lake. Unless they are pets that have been released into the wild, alligators are not native to the Greenville, South Carolina, area. Despite this, alligators are indeed present in the lake. 271 Listings $4K-$8. It died at the hands of a trapper, who had been called in for a nuisance gator problem, in 1997, in Lake Monroe. 14. on June 14, 2016, at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa just outside of Orlando, Florida. But this is a true story, and it did happen. A 14-foot-long alligator was found in Lake Talquin, Florida. The saline levels in Lake Pontchartrain have dropped over the last few decades, so there might be more alligators showing up. As if murder hornets and megabats weren't enough to haunt people's dreams, claims of a massive, 28-foot alligator said to. Lake Seminole . There is no recreational activity on this riverine lake other than fishing. Spread the love. A nuisance alligator trapper removed two alligators — 6 feet and 9 feet long — from Lake Manatee on July 21, she said. Taylor Park via the Pinellas Trail. Porterdale, GA Local - News Break ·. It’s a relative of the crocodile, but with a larger frame. Po-Boy Landing is accessible from Alabama State Highway 76. These are all over 9 feet in length. Other sightings in the region include a 10. Most lakes are freshwater, but some are salt lakes with salinities even higher than seawater. Chris Christie rises in New. View listing photos and property details. Male alligators can grow up to 16 feet in length, although 14 footers are rare, and female alligators can grow up to 10 feet. One of the more recent encounters, according to committee members, involved an alligator lunging at a pet in East End Park. When i was at the gator meeting last year. 1. Lake Harding is a great place to visit or live, Close proximity to Auburn AL and Columbus GA. Rivers. Recently, in 2019, a 10-foot alligator was spotted on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The biggest alligator ever found in Florida was over 17 feet long. For a long time, the lake was really in a sad state and not a whole lot would or even could grow in abundance here. It had a chest girth of 57 inches. Although initially, you could only find alligators in southern Alabama. Depending on your perspective, it might be good to know that the greater part of the Chattahoochee River is alligator free. Lake Alligator Population Lake George 4,200+ Lake Okeechobee 3,800 Lake Kissimmee 3,300 Lake Trafford 2,900 . While an alligator can swim up to 20 mph on land, its max speed is only 10 mph. If you’re planning a fishing trip to Alabama, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Dannelly Reservoir, Lake Eufaula, Guntersville Lake, Lake Harding, Lake Jordan, Lay Lake, Logan Lake Martin, Lake Mitchell, Lake Neely Henry, Pickwick Lake, Smith Lake, Lake. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with trout, Coho salmon, sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, sheefish, and Arctic char. Columbia is 133 miles from the coast, so it is on the edge of how far inland alligators are going to go. Lucie County Sheriff's Office helicopter helped. Table of Contents show. This was not the couple’s first time hunting gators, with Cody and his brother taking a 12’ 6” specimen on Lake Harding in 2021. Alligators are commonly seen sunning and floating in the water. HAMILTON, Ga. They are now a protected game animal in the state of. With the summer heat that races through Texas and Oklahoma, there are a lot of benefits to swimming and cooling down. About Lake Harris There are definitely alligators in Lake Harris, Florida. It’s 40 miles long and with a maximum width of 24 miles. Feb. Alligators can cause quite a stir in South Carolina — even fake ones. Lake Harding. LISTEN. These are all over 9 feet in length. Contaminants can induce or suppress normal endocrine responses. However, these reptiles are not native species to the waters here. 5 hours. The numbers are nearly identical in Julington Creek, from Highway 13 to Old St. Some of the best RV camping near Lanett, Alabama, happens at Blanton Creek Park in Hamilton. Does Lake Harding alligators? Photos and videos of alligators in Lake Harding have brought safety into question over social media. How many acres is Lake Harding? 5,850-acre About Lake Harding Nestled on a 5,850-acre reservoir on the Chattahoochee River, beautiful Lake Harding, also known as Bartlett’s Ferry Lake, sprawls out over Harris County, Georgia and Lee County, Alabama. That increased to 7,114 last year, according to FWC data. The many lakes, bayous, and rivers in and around Houston contain an environment that is favorable to alligators. I've heard from a few people now about alligators. But alligator attacks are rare. Alligator trapper A. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with trout, Coho salmon, sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, sheefish, and Arctic char. No alligators in the man-made Lake Keowee! Duke Energy created it by building an earthen dam on the Keowee River in the early 70s. John’s River system and is located north of Orlando in Sanford (about 45 minutes north). Are there alligators in Inks Lake?The simple answer is no, there are no alligators in the lake. Lake Texoma, located on the Texas-Oklahoma border, provides a suitable habitat for alligators. It died at the hands of a trapper, who had been called in for a nuisance gator problem, in 1997, in Lake Monroe. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, alligators, songbirds and eagles plus a range of 803 species of fish. 8. Alligators are native to Arkansas, having lived there for thousands of years. In all other alligator hunting zones, culling is prohibited by law. The anatomy of alligators differs from humans in several important aspects: the crocodilian esophagus is more muscular and is composed entirely of smooth muscle. (WTVM) - Cody, Charles and their furry helper Goose are what many would call dedicated hunters with an eye on the prize no matter the difficulty. The river is excellent for recreational fishing and boating. Occasionally, an alligator will show up in a pond or lake in Oklahoma where one would not expect to find it, like Claremore. Louis County. Lake Kissimmee is about an hour and 20 minutes south of Lake Monroe. Lake access is limited to the Goat Rock Marina, located on the Alabama side of this lake. With a surface area of 730 square miles, it is the largest lake in the southeastern United States. . Lake Harding, Ga | Lake Harding, Al. (WTVM) - Cody, Charles and their furry helper Goose are what many would call dedicated hunters with an eye on the prize no matter the difficulty of the task at hand. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator. Alligators are not known for appearing along large bodies of water, especially as big as Lake Michigan. Located twenty-five miles due north of the city of Montgomery in central Alabama, Lake Jordan is a 6,800-acre impoundment on the Coosa River with 188 miles of shoreline. 25 million alligators live in Florida. Link Copied! Video shows a nearly 14-foot-long alligator swimming toward a Girl Scout troop in a lake at a Texas state park. He was a very kind, patient, devoted, and thoughtful man who will be remembered by many and kept in our hearts forever. Facilities include a 26-acre lake, swimming area, playground, a modern campground, picnic areas with tables, grills and shelters, cabins, hiking and mountain biking trails. If we assume there are 60 alligator s in Lake Seminole, that would make one alligator for every 625 mi² (1,005. Yes, there are alligators in Compass Lake in Florida. It is the most alligator-infested lake in Florida, with close to 30,000 alligators in its waters. It covers an area of approximately 13,788 acres and is approximately 12 miles long. Over 50% of those include alligators that weigh 22 pounds and are under five feet long. The only exception is the Lake Eufaula Zone where hunters must release any alligator that is less than 8 feet in total length. A fishing guide captured a video of a 7 to 8-foot-long alligator floating in the lake not far from where people were fishing from the shore in Calaveras Lake not too long ago. MATHIS — Residents are relieved after a 12-foot alligator was caught near along Lake Corpus Christi. Lake Blackshear just might be the most alligator-infested lake in Georgia, if news reports are any indication. But, Lake Keowee still has wildlife. In fact, the state of Texas is an alligator hot spot. Since Lake Marting is so far inland, there have been no reports of alligators near the lake. The lake is home to a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Don’t get too excited, though, as there have been sightings in the southern part. Don’t get too excited, though, as there have been sightings in the southern part. Office: (843) 546-0113. Audience Editor (Trends) A photo of a 12-foot alligator rounded up by police in Texas has caused a stir after snaps of the reptile were posted on. Cars backed up as the alligator made its way across State Road 417. The American alligator is one of the largest reptiles in the world. The alligators in Texas are found mainly on the coast and in East Texas, with a population of about 15,000. Two different alligators were spotted in the lake. Also known as Lake Harding, this Georgia Power lake of 850 acres and is lined with boat docks. Male alligators can grow up to 16 feet in length, although 14 footers are rare, and female alligators can grow up to 10 feet. — People visiting a reservoir in Coweta County will notice an unexpected warning. These types of alligators have what is referred to as an armored body with a flat tail. At Doctors Lake in Clay County along the 11 miles surveyed, FWC estimated 70 alligators live in those waters. 8 m) Surface area: 5,850 acres (23. Yes, alligators live in Houston and the surrounding areas. Great restaurants and as well as independent stores to serve residents and guests. A video of a 5. Merda’s account, he started out by exploring the swamp, but the. – A Daytona Beach man bitten by a 9-foot alligator Saturday said the attack happened after he heard a noise at his front door and opened it, only to find an unexpected. Alligators, snakes and various waterfowl are present in Lake Seminole. The water in a lake is much slower-moving than any inflow or outflow streams that serve to feed or drain it. Two different alligators were spotted in the lake. The 1,618 Square Feet single family home is a 2 beds, 1 bath property. Alligators can sometimes be found in river deltas. Its impressive numbers make it a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. C. The lake was originally built by the Columbus Power Company in. m. While there aren’t many alligators left in the city, always proceed with caution before diving into a freshwater lake. The Georgia Fall Line, roughly 80-100 miles to the south of Atlanta, is the closest place to find alligators in Georgia if traveling from the city. Always provide them with an escape route. They can be found in many lakes, rivers, marshes, and swamps in eastern Texas and as far north as Lake Texoma. 18) of the 2023 season almost slipped by them—but not quite. Alligators lurking in Huntsville Park lake trap swimmers on pier. Many areas that have large alligator populations offer warnings through signs like these so that visitors and residents know to expect to see the reptiles. The biologists said they issued permits based upon a the number of gators in an area over 4 feet long. 25 million alligators living in the state of Florida. The boy's mother, 20-year-old Pashun. Reports of alligators in the Norman water reservoir began to appear in late the 2000s. His parents tried to rescue him; the father was attacked by a second alligator. Photo: Getty. It’s known as Big Al — and Cody Quirk. If you’re walking near the water and an alligator approaches you, especially if it emerges from the water, it’s most likely a nuisance alligator. Of 433 alligator lengths obtained, 251 alligators were greater than 6 feet (>1. These conditions make for an ideal alligator habitat. This guy is on a gator farm and (hopefully) knows what he's doing. The area also has playgrounds, picnic areas, and swimming beaches. Spread the love. A collection of alligator, crocodile and caiman skulls and skull-replicas on March 22 in a research lab at MU’s Medical Science Building in Columbia. The couple had been in pursuit of the alligator since the beginning of the season in August, and after several near misses, finally caught the behemoth on Saturday, September 16. Johns County on May 5. The. S. Shocking new video shows the terrifying moment that a massive alligator lunged at an elderly Florida woman walking her small dog near a lake in the moments before it mauled her to death. It had a chest girth of 57 inches. Alabama ‘s climate, geographical features, and vegetation offer a natural habitat conducive to alligators’ survival. Police in South Milwaukee, on the Wisconsin side of the lake, identified a small reptile found on the. However, these reptiles are not native species to the waters here. There are 581 Lake Harding, AL Vacation Rentals. 20, 2023. The alligator is native only to China, Mexico, and the United. Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Alligators are not typically found in West Texas due to the lack of water and the region’s more arid climate. Also known as Lake Harding, this Georgia Power lake of 850 acres and is lined with boat docks. Later that year, video of a 5-6′ alligator in Lake Norman was released to the local news. The lake will usually have 110 or so lake lots and land for sale. Caddo Lake is only eight to ten-feet deep on average with a maximum depth of 20-feet and is chock-full of alligator food sources. “(Mature alligators) eat fish, they eat snakes, they eat a lot of turtles and muskrats they find in the water, otters, raccoons, they even eat. Last year Charles helped his brother Cody take a 750-pound, 12. The claim: An alligator killed in Florida measured over 28 feet in length. Female alligators are fiercely protective of the nest and hatchlings and are especially dangerous. 7 m) alligator in Lake Norman was presented to the local news later that year. Easy hike. m. S. An alligator will generate approximately 3000 teeth through the course of its life, though it only has an average of 75 teeth in its mouth at any given time. Hidden treasure! Several alligator attacks were recorded in Florida in 2022, but only three happened in lakes. His parents tried to rescue him; the father was attacked by a second alligator. PROSPECT PARK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A sick 4-foot-long alligator was caught on Sunday in Brooklyn and officials are looking for the person responsible. Statewide, 6,700 nuisance alligators w ere killed or relocated in 2017. m. 1576W Map It: Lake Type: Reservoir Surface Area. In the United States, alligators live in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South. Two brothers from Harris County have caught what is believed to be the largest alligator harvested from Lake Harding. Last season, his 74-year-old father Charlie drew a tag on Lake Seminole. SMITH LAKE – Residents and sport fishers around Smith Lake appear to be coming into increasing contact with alligators in the lake. Our list of the most dangerous places in Georgia begins in Lake Country. Alligators like swampy areas, and they like rivers too. Two brothers from Harris County have caught what is believed to be the largest alligator harvested from Lake Harding. The largest lake with alligators in the north Texas area is Lake Tawakoni, which has an estimated 400 alligators. The lake is stocked with various types of fish, and visitors can also take in the stunning views and enjoy some. Take a boat out for the day and look for gators cruising through the waters or. Brazos Bend State Park in Needville has a population estimated to be larger than 250 adults. For a long time, the lake was really in a sad state and not a whole lot would or even could grow in abundance here. Fish around the. Crocodiles can weigh as many as 2,200 pounds but average about 1,000 pounds. They also live in swamps, marshes and lakes. Cheapest place to stay in Lake Harding is Hostel ∙ 7 guests. American alligators are a protected species under the Endangered Species Act as a Threatened species. Alligators are usually found in freshwater, slow-moving rivers. Don’t let that run you off quite yet, though. A majority of these attacks occurred while the person was swimming, wading, or at the water’s edge (CrocBITE database). As a general rule, alligators don’t live in Lake Lanier. They could be breaking the law. In May, a video of what appeared to be an alligator in Lake Hartwell went viral, collecting more than 100,000 views in only. Don't EditAlligator attacks are fairly rare and usually result from the desensitization of the animal to humans by illegal feeding (Harding and Wolf, 2006). Over Memorial Day weekend, three large alligators caused a stir after they were spotted at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. While the sightings may have locals concerned, the Georgia. Several tributaries,. He was the eighth-largest alligator ever killed in the state and the biggest trapped. on June 14, 2016, at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa just outside of Orlando, Florida. Let us examine three of the lakes where these attacks occurred. Wildlife officials estimate there may be only about a dozen in the state. Johns River in northeast Florida, has the most-- more than 2,300. The weight of the alligator was determined in 74. The Coweta County Water and Sewerage. There are more than 2 million alligators in the wild in Louisiana, which has the world’s biggest alligator population. Yes, alligators live in Houston and the surrounding areas. Most popular short term in Lake Harding is La Quinta by Wyndham Columbus State University. By reporting a sighting, the population can be monitored and managed. South Carolina has been home to more than 100,000 alligators. By Romeo Octav. When an alligator's mouth is shut, you can only see the top teeth. Alabama DCNR 12. The lake is formed by Bartlett's Ferry Dam, and the lake is located in Harris County, Georgia with some portions of the lake going into Alabama. “I was hunting with Charles and my dad on that trip last year, and we saw a lot of big gators on Lake Seminole,” said Mark, according to GON. 83 m) in length (52 of which were >10 feet [3. View listing photos, review sales history, and use our detailed real estate filters to find the perfect place. On May 31, a man named Sean McGuinness was killed viciously by an alligator in Largo, Florida. "It was like a movie scene, but real. Males can grow to 19 feet in length and weigh up to 900 pounds, while females tend to be somewhat smaller on average. American alligators may live in Lake Norman but are not widespread there. “The American alligator was once very common in rivers, creeks and backwater sloughs of East and South Texas,” the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website shows. Officials actually state that alligators in West Point Lake is not out of the norm it is a bit uncommon, but they are viewable from time to time in the lake. Caddo Lake has one of the largest alligator populations compared to other Texas lakes. Lake Waccamaw is known for having active alligators — and this coming weekend will have its annual. All the bugs in Lake Country. With Lake Martin being such a tourist attraction, there are constantly watersport enthusiasts zipping around the. Harding Lake is known for its hearty fish population of both introduced and native fish. While there is no official count for the number of alligators in Lake Seminole, Florida, the rough estimates are generally between 55 and 65. The Peninsula Trail at Lake Hope is a peaceful, 3-mile hike in the southeast corner of the state. This figure represents adult males, and the adult females are lighter. Lake Kissimmee, near Orlando,. Massive 705-Pound Alligator Caught From Georgia’s Lake Harding. Arkansas is home to some alligators, but not here. Anyway, about the weight of alligators versus crocodiles: Alligators don’t usually weigh more than 500-800 points – 1,000 maximum. Lake Harding homeowner Christie Sykes is sharing an unsettling video of a large alligator swimming in the popular lake as a warning to parents to watch their children, grandchildren and. How many square miles is Lake Harding? 9. Lake Jesup in Central Florida is the most alligator-infested lake in the country, with around 13,000 at any given time. Spend a day on Lake Fort Phantom Hill. He was identified as Lane Graves of. 1 the. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. The lake was originally built by the Columbus Power Company in. In May, a video of what appeared to be an alligator in Lake Hartwell went viral, collecting more than 100,000 views in only. One way to see alligators in Lake Okeechobee is to walk or bike along the. Lake Eustis in the Harris Chain of Lakes is known for excellent fishing, boating, and a large population of alligators. In addition to the 13-foot one caught in 2022, there have also been several 12-foot-long ones. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there have been a total of 413 unprovoked alligator attacks on humans in Florida between 1948 and 2021. 6:15 AM on Sep 30, 2021 CDT. Most people assume that they are an endangered species but, in fact, they aren’t. The gator was found hiding under a travel trailer when the homeowner stepped. Cars backed up as the alligator made its way across State Road 417. Yes, naturally, alligators do live in Lake Lanier. They live along rivers such as the Escambia and Perdido and also in lakes such as Lake Eufala, Lake Forest, or Big Creek Lake. Alligators, endocrine disruption and eutrophic lakes. There is also a Boat Club and a Sailing Club. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. An adult alligator has between 74 and 84 teeth that are mostly hollow. They could be breaking the law. Alligators can be found in just about any body of water in Florida, including lakes, rivers, and swamps. Adult male American alligators. Florida man killed in possible alligator attack while searching lake for Frisbees. Alabama. One of the best advantages of Lake Harding is it is not at populated or busy as many of the larger lakes. The area surrounding the lake offers several outdoor activities, such as camping, boating, and hiking. Adult male American alligators. This was not the couple’s first time hunting gators, with Cody and his brother taking a 12’ 6” specimen on Lake Harding in 2021. The couple had been in pursuit of the alligator since. . It gets very crowded in warm weather but bass can be caught on long points and main lake structure on worms. Alligators can live up to 60 years in captivity but in the wild they rarely live more than 50 years. 790 Harding Ln, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 2G2 is currently not for sale. Alligators are large reptiles that live in both water and dry land, however, they thrive in slow moving water. Fishermen should dispose of fish scraps in garbage. Atlanta7 contributions. Bassfishing72. Bankhead Lake is a 9,000-acre lake in the northeast section of the state, 20 miles west of Birmingham. A Florida family is “in shambles” after a mother was found dead in the mouth of an alligator. In addition to lakes, alligators can be found in coastal marshes, the Cypress-tupelo swamp, and the Atchafalaya Basin swamp. Does Tybee Island have alligators? Georgia’s Most Alligator-Infested Lake. TWRA Agent Ray. I was just about to write a column about alligators spreading up the Chattahoochee to Lake Harding, at least – as evidenced by Facebook posts of a large alligator there. 2. It was there that, in 2019, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) harvested a 700-pound, 13-foot, 4-inch alligator. They can be found mostly in the southern parts of the USA, mostly in the state of Florida, Louisiana and Alabama. The male of the species is notably bigger than the female. A man looking for Frisbees in a Florida lake on Tuesday was killed by an alligator, according to authorities and media reports. The species was not known to exist in either Lake Norman or the Catawba River. Every now and again, they’ll wander into a lake or creek if they can find enough of a food source. Authorities responded to a call in Largo, in the Tampa Bay area, about a gator in the.