Experts were called out to trap it and find it a new place to roam.
HOUSTON — An unexpected visitor showed up at a northeast Harris County home on Monday morning.
A homeowner on Garrett Road stepped outside and came face to face with a huge gator in his front yard.
That homeowner did an about face, went back inside, and called for help! The Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office responded and sent an alligator wrangler to capture it and move it to a safer location.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, alligators are active in spring and summer, moving to breed and find new habitats. Most that move around are the smaller ones that have been pushed out by larger ones.
Gators have a natural fear of people and usually head the other way when approached. if you have a close encounter with a gator, back away slowly. It’s rare for wild gators to chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances. They will defend themselves when cornered and a female gator may chase someone who gets too close to the nest.
If a gator comes out of the water toward you, report it to Texas Parks and Wildlife. It’s a nuisance gator that needs to be relocated. In many cases, the gator has been fed by people.
And if you’re walking your dog near water make sure they’re on a leash. Dogs may be curious and approach. And the gator may see it as a source of food!
Here are a whole lot more DOs and DON’Ts of alligators in Texas.