Gator Vs. Robot: Camera In FL Stormwater Drain Confuses 5-Foot Gator

OVIEDO, FL — A stormwater crew’s four-wheel robotic camera confused a gator hanging out in a central Florida storm drain and recorded the encounter with the reptile. (Watch the video below.)

A crew working for Oviedo was out at Lockwood Boulevard near Riverside Park to investigate potholes that have appeared in the area when workers sent the robotic camera into the pipes to investigate possible anomalies under the roadway.

“They usually bring the robot out to inspect when there are potential roadway defects to see if any pipes have leaks, cracks, defects, etc. underground,” the city wrote in a Facebook post.

Related Stories:

• Officer Lassos Gator Taking Stroll In Central Florida: Police
• Big Mack The Gator Removed From Philly Home, Heads To FL Sanctuary
• Cannibal Gator Snacking On Smaller Gator Caught On Camera In Orlando
• 9-Foot Gator Bites FL Man Answering Door To His Home: Report
• Sandhill Crane Scares Off 8-Foot Gator In Sarasota Neighborhood: Watch

During Friday’s inspection, the crew’s robot unexpectedly encountered a 5-foot-long alligator in the pipe.

“At first, they thought it was a toad and, in the video, you see two little glowing eyes until you get closer — but when it turned around, they saw the long tail of the alligator and followed it through the pipes,” the city wrote.

The robot made it about 340 feet into the pipe before it got stuck and the confused gator wandered off.

“Just another reason not to go wandering down into the Stormwater pipes! Thank goodness our crews have a robot,” the city wrote.

Watch an encounter between a 5-foot-gator and a stormwater crew’s robotic camera: