It’s a question that feels uniquely Floridian: How many deputies does it take to move a massive alligator off the street? In Sarasota County, the answer is at least seven — plus a skilled trapper, according to the sheriff’s office.

On Tuesday, the agency posted a video on Facebook showing deputies wrangling a 14-foot, 600-pound alligator and loading it into a truck. The animal was later taken to an alligator farm for release.

“This massive guest had plans to stay for the holidays, but we had other ideas,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

Or, as the old saying goes: “See ya later, alligator.”

How big can Florida alligators get?

American alligators are common across Florida, and while most don’t come close to this size, some can reach truly staggering lengths. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, adult males typically grow up to 14 feet, though rare individuals can exceed that. 

Florida’s longest verified alligator was a 14-foot, 3½-inch male from Lake Washington in Brevard County, according to the FWC. The state’s heaviest alligator was a 1,043-pound male from Orange Lake in Alachua County that measured 13 feet, 10½ inches long.

Most females are much smaller, usually topping out around 10 feet. Despite their size, wildlife officials emphasize that alligators generally avoid humans and only become a concern when they show up in residential areas or, as in this case, block a roadway.

Where Florida’s biggest alligators have been found 

Florida’s largest alligators are most often found in the state’s biggest freshwater systems, particularly in East-Central and North Florida, according to experts.

Wildlife officials say giant males frequently come from Lake Washington in Brevard County, Orange Lake in Alachua County, and across the St. Johns River system, which includes vast marshes and slow-moving tributaries ideal for large alligators.

Other hotspots include Lake George, one of Florida’s largest lakes, and parts of Lake Okeechobee, where abundant fish and expansive habitat help support high numbers of large alligators. 

These areas offer consistent food sources and relatively undisturbed environments, giving big males the space they need to grow over many decades.

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