Photos: Monster Gator Returns, Chomps on Giant Turtle

Remember that monster gator that created quite a buzz earlier this month by strolling across a Florida golf course while players were shooting a round?

It seems he’s still there and he’s hungry – very hungry.

The gator, now named Goliath by the folks at Myakka Pines Golf Club, is capturing national attention yet again after the course posted some photos of him eating a morning snack on Facebook Thursday.

“Lots of people are asking what alligators eat,” the post says. “Here is Goliath having a turtle for breakfast. (Sorta nasty to see but it’s the reality of wild animals).”

While it’s unclear just what type of turtle Goliath dished up, the course’s photos make it clear it was no tiny snack.

See Also:

• Monster Gator Invades Florida Golf Course
• 765-Pound Monster Gator Bagged in Florida
• Giant Shrimp Reeled In by Florida Fisherman

Goliath first captured the national spotlight in early March when the Englewood course posted shots of him crossing green No. 7 on his way to a pond. The alligator appeared so massive in the photos, the Internet sparked with conversations about whether the photos were real or Photoshopped.

While some doubted the legitimacy of the shots, Mickie Zada, the club’s general manager, told The Blaze they are very real. In fact, she told the publication the course used to have a “much larger gator” in residence that was affectionately nicknamed “Big George.”

Alligators are a common sight on Florida golf courses (and elsewhere in the state), but encountering one as big as Goliath appears to be is rare.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports female alligators rarely grow bigger than 10 feet in length. Males can grow “much larger.” The record in Florida is 14 feet, 3 ½ inches. That male was found in Lake Washington in Brevard County. Back in October, a 765-pound, 13-foot creature named “Lumpy” was bagged in North Florida.

As for Goliath’s future on the greens, the club seems to be reveling in all the attention the critter has brought its way.

“Man this is fun,” the club’s Facebook page read Wednesday, acknowledging the draw Goliath has proven to be.

Images from the Myakka Pines Golf Club Facebook page

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