And he brought friends 😳
Wildlife Encounters in Bluffton
Adrienne LeBlanc, who lives in Bluffton, South Carolina, is accustomed to encountering wildlife due to her home’s proximity to rivers and a lagoon. Alligators are a common sight in her neighborhood.
A Close Encounter
Earlier this week, Tropical Storm Debby caused significant rain and flooding in LeBlanc’s area. As a result, alligators ventured closer to her home than ever before.
A Startling Discovery
On Tuesday, as her yard was submerged under floodwaters, LeBlanc noticed an alligator swimming towards her house. She spotted the reptile just feet away from her window, making for a surprising and unnerving sight.
A Rare and Startling Sight
LeBlanc reflected on her experience, saying, “It’s not uncommon in the low country to see alligators, but to see them coming that close to your humble abode — it’ll take your breath away.”
An Alligator Invasion
Over the following days, the floodwaters continued to draw alligators closer to LeBlanc’s home. She observed at least six to eight alligators exploring her backyard.
Close Encounters
At one point, LeBlanc counted three alligators swimming between the bushes and the oak tree in her yard. “That is truly startling,” she remarked, reflecting on the unusual and alarming situation.
Territorial Behavior
The alligators weren’t always calm. “They were territorial, and if one got too close, they would start to wrestle in the water,” LeBlanc explained.
Curiosity and Survival
LeBlanc speculated that the alligators might have been curious, as they had never had the chance to explore her backyard before. Additionally, with the flood displacing many animals from their usual habitats, the alligators might have been searching for food.
“The other night, it was a symphony of noises, between the gators roaring and the frogs ribbiting,” LeBlanc said.
As Tropical Storm Debby begins to die down, water levels in LeBlanc’s neighborhood will continue to recede, and the alligators will return to their lagoon. Despite this, the sight of these prehistoric creatures making themselves comfortable right outside her home is something LeBlanc is unlikely to forget soon. “It’s a sight to be seen,” she reflected.