Small gator goes for a swim in Cinco Ranch pool…and doesn’t want to leave

KATY, Texas — There was an unwanted and unexpected visitor in a Katy-area pool Tuesday afternoon. 

Cinco Ranch resident Gabriela Smith and her husband found a small gator in their pool. And it took quite the effort to try to get it out.

They used a pool skimmer to chase it around, and at one point caught the little guy, but it wasn’t getting out of the water that easily.

It managed to escape the net multiple times, and as of this posting, was still in their backyard.

Below are some of the photos Gabriela shared with us showing the gator.

While the Cinco Ranch pool gator was a little fella, there were some big ones roaming recently in other parts of town, including out in Sienna over the weekend.  That’s where a massive gator was spotted taking a stroll down 

That wasn’t the only gator spotted in Sienna Sunday.  Another viewer shared video from Sienna of a gator crossing the street.

Gator season and nesting season continues through the end of May.

So what should you do if you encounter an alligator?  Below are some pointers from Texas Parks and Wildlife.

• Most alligators naturally avoid people and will usually retreat when approached.
• If an alligator hisses, Texas Parks and Wildlife says it’s a warning that you are too close and should slowly back away.
• Wildlife officials say alligators basking near ponds or streams are often just regulating their body temperature and are not necessarily hunting.
• Any alligator that approaches people, comes out of the water toward humans or lingers near homes could be considered a nuisance animal.
• Pet owners are urged to keep animals leashed and away from the water because alligators may see them as an easy food source.
• Officials say people should never attempt to move an alligator seen in a roadway and should instead contact local authorities.
• Feeding alligators is illegal in Texas and can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans.

Earlier this month, we posted about a gator in Sienna that stopped by an elementary school.

Before that, there was a monster gator on a golf course in Sienna.

And then there’s Cinco Ranch, where a gator was wandering the streets.

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