This is not unusual. Nor is it rare. If you live in the sunshine state of Florida you understand you live with Gators. If you live near water, by the way water can be found EVERYWHERE in the state of Florida, you have Gator. We live in a lake community. Our home is located on a canal to the lake. Very shallow waters.
I have posted previously what lives in the shallow canal waters near our dock. This is not new information. Remember if there is water, you must assume there will be Gator. This lil guy did not have to appear for me to know he was living (probably still there) near our dock. We have some reeds to the right of the dock where he likes to sleep. Anyway, Gators are here. Everyone seems to ask have you seen a Gator? Yes, I reply. Are they scary? Yes, they are a wild animal. They are a extremely large lizard with razor sharp teeth. They prefer to chomp on their prey, drag them to the bottom of the water, wait patiently for the prey to die a brutal death of drowning before they chomp, chomp, chomp gobbling them up.
Humans are not on their priority list. Rotting meat, small fowl, rodents. They are lazy giant lizards. People get hurt because by accident they have stepped on this giant lizard, while playing in the water and they're reaction is chomp. Plain and simple. Let's repeat what we have learned. Where there is water in the sunshine state of Florida there is Gator.
Now, what no one ever talks about is the giant lizards kin. This gnarly beast is elusive. Daring, down right scary. He can, does appear out of nowhere. The mire sight has produce the highest girly squeal released from my inner being. Followed by quick high solitary kicks, jumps. Causing near death experience each and every time.
Note, it took every bit of energy for me to take this picture. I lost sleep after said picture. I present to you the evil gator kin. The Hemidactylus. The common lizard.
Do not be a fool by his mire size. He is a cunning, cold-hearted, calculating killer.
This is a infant. The worst of the worst. Unpredictable, elusive.
I went to brush my teeth last night, turn on the light. TA-DA this little beast appears. Immediately I become girly girl, squealing, dancing in one spot, elevating heart rate. I know stroke imminent. The beast runs down the wall nearing his prey. I become silent, realizing my reactions have brought forth near doom. He stops, bobbing he's head sizing his prey. I know he can take me, he knows he can take me. My only options is to back away slowly. I back further away, grab my camera. I need proof. My only option. This beast has eluded me before.
I show hubby my picture. Proving the beast exists. Living in my sanctuary.
Immediately we return to last know location. Gone, disappeared silently. Houdini!. I have produce film this time. The beast never shows himself to hubby. Only me, his prefer prey is female flesh. Again, another night of restless sleep. Each night I wait, days go by. I know he is watching my every move. He will attack, I know this, it's just a matter of time. He will pick a weak moment.
That weak moment happened this morning.
Our shower in our bathroom was his choice. The beast knew where his prey is most vulnerable. What he didn't anticipate is this. Our shower takes forever to produce warm water. I must run the water for a few minutes prior to entering or you freeze your bottom off. Just as I turned the knob the beast appeared out of nowhere. Again, I squeal, causing all rational thought out the window. He knows my weakness, but this time I'm able to think quicker than normal. Luckily I still have my robe on, I turn on the water, the beast runs towards a corner on the shower floor. With the water running I have trapped the beast. I run to get Eldest. Eldest believes as does hubby that I'm a loony loon, but complies. He gathers said beast, softly holding him in the palm of his hand. I tell Eldest no need to the gentle with the beast. Eldest laughs. Just like his father. He has no clue what the beast is after.
Again, another day, another hour has passed. I have survived. I know where the Gator lives. People always talk about the mean ol nasty Gator. I never know where the vile cousin will appear, thus he is the most dangerous lizard living in the sunshine state of Florida. In my opinion.
