Thanks for sharing your experience—what a vivid encounter! It sounds like you’ve got a real slice of wild Florida right in your backyard. That size estimate puts her at a pretty impressive length, and those growls are a classic territorial warning, especially if she’s nesting nearby. You’re absolutely right—alligators were there first, and it’s their habitat too. If you ever feel unsafe, Florida Fish and Wildlife can assess the situation and determine if relocation is necessary. But it’s also incredible to be able to observe such a powerful animal so closely (from a safe distance, of course!). Keep an eye (and an ear) out—sounds like you’ve got quite the wild neighbors.

We bought ourselves a little portion of swamp (excuse me – wetlands) in Florida, north of Tampa, about 16 months ago. We have also have a huge pond on our property, with the east edge being approximately 8′ from the driveway. We’ve always heard the juniors chirping in the near distance, but this is the 1st time we’ve seen anything. I walked out on the porch this morning to get grab a package and was greeted with 3 very large/loud growls. By the time i slipped on my shoes and went back out, it (probably she) was in the center of the pond. Given the measure of approximately 9-10″ from between the eyes to between the nostrils, she would be about 9′ or so long. Not sure if we can have her relocated since it would just be across the west side of the pond – we moved into her land . . .