Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Road Gator

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Every sunrise promises revelations in the South Texas wildlands, and you just never know what may transpire in the secluded sanctuary of Rio Grande Valley alligators.

Lurking in the shallows of his aquatic lair, this huge gator greets dawn with an unblinking reptilian eye.

That is also a serious gator stretched out in the foreground, raising its head above water. Closer inspection reveals the big fellow sports an impressive row of sharp teeth jutting over its jaw.

The gator in back is at least 12 feet long, likely some 50 years old, and a skillful practitioner of many a predatory pounce.

Menacingly, with ominous stealth, the massive reptile slowly begins his morning prowl, silently sneaking into position for deadly ambush.

There are other imposing alligators in this watery realm where receding waters have concentrated prey in abundance, and despite the congregation of gators, they seem to get along swimmingly.

Suddenly, with a terrific splash, a gar explodes right in front of a lurker eluding the toothy predator.

It’s a busy morning at Gator Pond, and several leap to attack prey along the banks, attempting to trap their quarry against the shore.

While not all efforts are rewarded, this alligator has successfully snatched a big blue crab and nosily crunches the crab’s carapace in powerful jaws.

Retrieving crabby remains from water, the gator dines on the delicacy with dangling claw, and all is devoured.

Later, after consuming la jaiba on the menu and a brief siesta, the alligator decides to take a road trip and climbs up onto the bank, dragging its massive tail behind it, and that is a mighty long tail.

Poking its head out from roadside mesquite, the gator casually strolls across the road where there could be more tasty crab or perhaps some catan.