Knock, knock: 9-foot alligator found on doorstep at Tampa home

TAMPA, Fla. — Knock, knock. Who’s there? An alligator on the doorstep.

Residents at a Florida home were startled to find a nearly 9-foot alligator on their doorstep Tuesday. The large gator was missing two of its limbs and was perfectly content to relax by the front door of the Tampa home, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

According to a Facebook post by Croc Encounters, the Tampa-based wildlife sanctuary received a call when the residents could not persuade the reptile to leave the premises.

“He was not too happy to be evicted from his comfortable, shady spot as he smashed everything in sight upon exiting,” Croc Encounters wrote on Facebook.

Taking a cue from the sign at the front door that advised “No Soliciting,” the residents also posted another sign that read, “Delivery Stop! Leave Packages here! ALLIGATOR at front door!! (seriously).”

Croc Encounters said that the gator may have lost its two limbs in a fight with another alligator.

Karina Paner, and her husband, John Paner, directors at Croc Encounters, captured the alligator by jumping on it and lifting it into the back of a truck, the Times reported.

Karina Paner told the newspaper she believed the alligator weighed between 150 and 200 pounds.

The facility said it was able to remove the alligator and will give it a new home at its compound.

Cox Media Group