One of the many species of animals encountered at the Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge is Alligator mississippiensis, or the American alligator, or just a gator.
It can be dangerous to walk in overgrown areas near water, as alligators have good natural camouflage and can remain perfectly still for long periods, making it easy for an unaware photographer to trip right over one.

#AlligatorMississippiensis #AmericanAlligator #WildlifePhotography, #Photography, #ReptilesOfPixelfed, #ReptilesOfMastodon