Orange Alligator Sighted in Nokomis, Florida

An orange alligator was recently sighted in the sleepy little town of Nokomis in Florida. Located on the Gulf Coast, Nokomis is south of Sarasota, a bustling city famous for its sandy white beaches and posh resorts. While orange is not exactly the most common color worn by alligators in Florida - green from green-black is more popular - this guy has managed to attract national attention after Sylvia Mythen spotted the reptile and took a photograph of it. The orange alligator was seen lounging by a lake in Sorrento Woods.

Alligators are seen practically everywhere in Florida especially near swamps and lakes. Whenever my husband and I go hiking at the nearby Carlton Reserve a few miles north of where we live, alligator sightings are not at all uncommon. Of course, the ones we see have their natural coloring as most reptiles do. There are exceptions for the smaller classes of reptiles, especially those seen in southern Arizona where we used to live. Lizards smaller than half a foot scampering all over the desert might have orange, red, or even blue down their backs. Alligators are another story of course, and they are not the type of lizard you want to walk up to and pet. But this orange alligator is famous, although the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission claims the animal is either covered in paint or some other substance that makes it look like it raided an orange grove. Orange juice has not yet been ruled out though the abundance of vitamin C in the gator's digestive system would keep it healthy enough from getting sick.

It is possible the reptile was painted orange by some kids as a prank. Alligators are capable of sleeping quite soundly when temperatures drop to a certain point as they did recently here in Florida. Normally winters are very mild in this state but due to the recent snowstorms the east coast of the nation received, the cold air managed to travel south, causing cold-blooded animals to fall asleep wherever they are. If the orange alligator was indeed painted, chances are the paint will eventually wash off when the animal goes swimming in the lake. In the meantime, the sighting of this unusual alligator gives it its well deserved fifteen minutes of fame.

http://http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110106/BREAKING/110109882?tc=ar