A nearly three-meter-long alligator broke into the pool of a house in Toscana Isles, a residential community in Sarasota County, Florida, after pushing and breaking through the mesh structure that protected the area, according to the Venice Police Department.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at 5:45 AM. The Ring security camera installed on the property detected the intruder and alerted the homeowner, who was able to see in real-time how the reptile, measuring 2.84 meters (nine feet and four inches), was taking a morning dip in their pool.
An authorized catcher from the State Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) removed the animal without any reported injuries.
Toscana Isles is a gated community in Nokomis, to the north of Venice, surrounded by over 200 acres of interconnected lakes, an environment that supports the regular presence of aquatic wildlife and makes such encounters more likely.
The Venice Police took advantage of the publication to remind residents of the basic guidelines for coexisting with these reptiles: always observe them from a safe distance, keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge, and prevent children from approaching ponds, lakes, or canals. Any sighting of an alligator that poses a threat should be reported to the FWC number: 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).
"Don't let your morning routine turn into a 'see you later, alligator' story," wrote the Venice Police at the end of their post, urging residents to respect the space of these wild animals.
Authorities reminded that Florida is currently in the peak season for alligator nesting.
The breeding season occurs between May and June, the females build nests and lay eggs between the end of June and early July, and the hatchlings typically emerge between mid-August and early September.
During July, adult specimens increase their presence in residential areas because females aggressively defend their nests.
This incident is not the first of its kind in the area. In April 2024, an alligator forced its way through a locked door and entered the kitchen of a residence in Venice, and it took five FWC officials to remove it.
Similarly, in March 2025, another specimen broke through the mesh of a patio door and appeared in the kitchen of a house in Fort Myers, in southwest Florida. In October of that same year, a giant alligator tried to sneak into a home in Ave María in Collier County.
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