A Cuban identified on TikTok as @calos.reyes69 became the center of attention in a video that leaves no one indifferent: for almost five minutes, he tries to remove a piece of nylon entangled in the head of a crocodile he affectionately calls "Boca," with whom he coexists as if it were a domestic pet.
The clip opens with a casual explanation: “Well, I had to buy food for Boca because I was traveling.” With that statement, it’s clear that the man regularly takes care of the reptile and that their relationship goes far beyond a chance encounter.
Throughout the recording, the Cuban repeatedly tries to lure the animal towards him to reach the nylon, without any tools or protection. The alligator doesn't always cooperate: at several moments, it shows signs of aggression, something that its owner acknowledges with humor. "Now the bullet is in a bad mood, let's see how it messes with its little crazy one," he comments with laughter.
The man's patience is tested for several minutes. "Come here, Mom, come on, don't be a pain, I think I want to get that trash off you," he says to the reptile while trying to approach without provoking it.
After nearly four minutes of verbal and physical struggle, he achieves his goal. "Oh, thank God, thank you, my lord, I was able to take it away from her, now come to eat," he exclaims with relief. The outcome confirms their mutual trust: the alligator calmly approaches to eat, and the owner interprets this as a clear sign. "She trusts me, now she’s coming to eat," he says with satisfaction.
The video also conveys an implicit message about pollution. At one point in the clip, the protagonist laments, "People throwing nylon here." Plastic waste poses a documented threat to crocodilians, who can become entangled in it or ingest it, leading to consequences ranging from severe injuries to death.
The scene is not an isolated case in Cuba. In mid-August, another Cuban went viral for showcasing her pet crocodile named "Marpacífico," although she herself warned that she does not recommend having one at home. In April, a video of Cubans bathing in a canal with an alligator present caused controversy due to the recklessness it displayed.
Videos of Cubans interacting with alligators and crocodiles have become a recurring genre on social media, but few showcase the level of familiarity —and risk— displayed by the protagonist of this clip, who at no point seems to consider that the animal in front of him weighs several kilos and has jaws capable of inflicting irreversible damage.
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