So, how does an alligator head end up on a lawn in Waukesha County, Wisconsin? The answer to that mystery has something to do with a black cat called Burnt Toast!
Alligators are not a native species of Wisconsin. They simply would not be able to survive the harsh winters. So, where could it have come from? This news report indicates that it was a fresh alligator head and not a souvenir so it was most likely a pet.
Look What the Cat Dragged In!
How Did a Gator Head End Up on a Wisconsin Lawn?
Every year, a small number of people take on exotic pets without doing their research. Soon, they struggle to be able to look after these animals and release them into the wild. However, that is the worst thing that you can do. It is cruel to the animals because they are in a habitat that they are not equipped to survive in. This means that many of them die and that is probably what happened here.
Also, dangerous animals like this gator could present a risk to humans who would not expect to come across an animal like this if they were swimming in the lake. Finally, they are a threat to the indigenous wildlife and can disrupt carefully balanced local ecosystems and food chains. American alligators are found in 10 US states with the highest populations found in Florida and Louisiana. They live in freshwater environments and will attack humans if they feel threatened.
The American Alligator is not a native species of Wisconsin
©iStock.com/Cindy Larson
Cat Brings Home a Gator’s Head
The chances of Toast the cat killing this gator are remote, to say the least. In fact, gators are more likely to attack domestic pets than the other way around. So, the cat probably found the head floating in the lake and decided to bring it home as a gift. Toast was probably very proud of himself and this is typical behavior for a domestic cat.
This is backed up by Toast’s owner, Wendy Wiesehuegel, who thought that she had spotted a gator in the lake previously. The authorities explained that there are no laws prohibiting people from keeping alligators as pets in this area but it should only be done responsibly. Releasing them in local lakes is not responsible – even though it made Toast’s week!
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Deborah Ferrin/Shutterstock.com
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