An alligator takes a bath on the shore of the beach in Miami Beach.

The image of an American alligator bathing on the shore of the beach in Miami Beach has left some internet users speechless, while others don't see anything strange about it.

"Well, I will never bathe at night again," wrote the witness of the scene in his Instagram stories this Thursday, tagging the popular profile Only in Dade in his video.

Meanwhile at Ocean Drive and 10th this morning..., reported Only in Dade hours later along with the images.

In the comments section of the publication, some celebrated the diversity of Florida's wildlife and emphasized that one must get used to it, while others lamented that now not only should one fear the increasingly frequent presence of sharks on the state's beaches, but also that alligators are joining the party, as they do not usually frequent saltwater.

"Florida is the new Australia," pointed out a commentator in reference to the varied and dangerous wildlife that inhabits the Australian continent.

In recent days, Only in Dade had already shared another video in which another alligator -or perhaps who knows if the same one- was seen taking a dip out to sea at South Pointe while not too far away, a swimmer was enjoying themselves.

It is neither remotely the first time -nor is it so unusual- that reptiles take a swim in saltwater.

In November 2022, a video went viral showing an alligator taking a stroll along the beach, in this case between Sebastian Inlet and the Mel Fisher Museum, in Brevard County, Florida.

In the images, which went viral on social media, the crocodile was seen remaining motionless on the shore while the waves crashed against its body. However, at another moment in the clip, the animal could be seen entering the water prepared to take a dip.

This sighting of a crocodile in Sebastian, Florida, which is very far north from the area where they live, is very rare because American crocodiles are found from the northern coast of South America, through Central America and the Caribbean, up to Mexico. In the United States, there is only a population of these reptiles in the far south of Florida," wrote the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) about that incident.

According to the source, American crocodiles have a higher tolerance for saltwater, but they tend to be shy and solitary, so it is unlikely that they will be seen on the beach.

In June 2019, swimmers at a beach in Jacksonville were startled when they spotted an alligator in the water. Those in the sea were immediately instructed to get out, and several lifeguards along with members of the FWC mobilized to remove the animal.

Florida is the natural habitat of the American crocodile. Every year, between April and June, during the mating period of the American crocodile, the FWC usually gives some advice to coexist safely with this species.

Among the recommendations are not feeding them or throwing fresh fish waste in the trash, swimming only in designated areas and only during the day, as well as tying pets with a leash in places far from the water, to prevent crocodiles from mistaking them for prey.