An iconic Florida alligator nicknamed “Croczilla” for its impressive 14-foot length, possibly the largest in the state, has been caught on video showing off its sharp bites.
Footage recorded by wildlife photographer Kym Clark showed the lone, scaly celebrity sunbathing by a pond and opening its jaws wide open.
“What a lucky day,” Clark can be heard exclaiming in the background, while keeping his camera focused on the gigantic reptile.
It was Clark’s second encounter in a year with what she described as “the largest wild American alligator recorded in Everglades National Park,” and potentially in the entire state of Florida.
At a whopping 14 feet, “Croczilla” is the largest member of its species ever recorded in the wild.
An iconic American alligator nicknamed “Croczilla” was caught on video in Florida’s Everglades National Park. Tale
“It’s quite possible that Croczilla was as happy to see me as I was to see him!” Clark gushed in an Instagram post on Tuesday. “We only met one more time, but it was definitely love at first sight.”
“This huge American alligator is absolutely the king of the Everglades,” he added.
Wildlife photographer Kym Clark stumbled upon the 14-foot reptile, which is believed to be the largest ever recorded in the wild. Tale
Clark’s first sighting of this prehistoric-looking creature took place in April.
“This crocodile has been on my (reptile hunting) bucket list for a while. [sic] now,” he wrote at the time in a caption accompanying a video showing “Croczilla” unhinging his powerful jaws to reveal dozens of teeth. “I’m so excited to have finally met him!!!”
Clark noted that “an open mouth is not a sign of aggression, but generally a way of regulating body temperature or a yawn.”
Clark touted the gigantic reptile as the “king of the Everglades.” Tale
There are an estimated 1,000 to 2,500 crocodiles inhabiting the Sunshine State, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
These large reptiles are currently classified as an “endangered” species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn