Watch: Gator Strolls Through Florida Neighborhood

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — Residents of Wilderness Lake Preserve recently had a close encounter of the reptilian kind courtesy of an alligator with a passion for roaming.

The alligator was spotted by Randy Spencer Monday morning as it strolled up a driveway and in between two houses. Intrigued by the sight, Spencer grabbed a camera and started shooting video, which he posted to Instagram Tuesday.

Spence’s encounter isn’t all that uncommon in neighborhoods throughout Florida this time of year. After all, the state is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators. As reptiles, they are known to become more active as the temperatures rise. With a long string of days in the 90-degree range this summer, activity levels have been high.

“All reptiles are more active in warmer months,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Gary Morse. “The body temperature and activity levels of alligators and other reptiles is directly related to the temperature of their surroundings.”

See also: Florida Alligators: What You Need to Know

While roaming alligators are relatively common in the Sunshine State, not all encounters with the creatures end well. Earlier this month, a St. Petersburg woman’s dog was attacked and killed by an alligator in Lealman.

Attacks on humans are quite rare, but not unheard of.

See also: Alligator Kills Florida Woman’s Dog

Last October, a 62-year-old man swimming in Blue Springs State Park died as a result of an alligator attack. A 12-1/2-foot alligator was captured and euthanized following that attack. In June, 2-year-old Lane Graves died following an encounter with an alligator at Disney’s Grand Floridian resort.

Despite the state’s bustling alligator population, serious attacks and fatalities are not common in Florida. Between 1948 and 2013, there were 22 fatalities recorded, according to FWC records. During that period, a total of 122 minor bites and 235 major bites were also logged. The last fatal alligator attack on record prior to 2015 occurred in 2007.

See also: Fatal Disney Gator Attack Details Released by State

To help people stay safe around alligators, the state has created an educational brochure that Morse recommends all residents and visitors check out.

“It’s imperative that people become informed about alligators and alligator safety,” he said. “Go to our website at MyFWC.com and read the Living With Alligators brochure.”

Attacks are rare, but run-ins with nuisance alligators are not. The state fields so many nuisance alligator calls over the course of any given year it has set up its own hotline. The number to call to report gator concerns is 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

The state received 13,962 calls about nuisance alligators in 2015. A total of 7,513 alligators were removed as a result of those calls.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission