Georgia Man Finds “Massive” 700 Pound Alligator In Ditch

Youtube / 6abc Philadelphia / Georgia DNR Staff

Turns out – not everything is bigger in Texas. That’s right folks, Georgia’s latest discovery may have just put the Lone Star state to shame. Deep down south, one wildlife biologist encountered the find of a lifetime – amazingly weighing in 700 lbs.

A Massive Find

On February 18, wildlife biologist, Brent Howze found a 13 foot, 4-inch long alligator, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Howze found it in an irrigation ditch near a lake – describing it as “massive,” the alligator weighed an estimated 700 pounds.

While some of the community was skeptical at first, the pictures don’t lie. A photograph went viral after showing just how ginormous the gator was while Howze sat behind him.

According to the Department of Natural Resources spokesperson, Sarah Hanson, due to the gator’s poor condition, it was euthanized after having several old gunshot wounds in it.

Hanson also explained that this isn’t the largest alligator ever found in Georgia following their 2015 find – a 14-foot-1-inch gator. Although finding a gator over 14 inches is rare, it has been learned that male alligators can actually grow as long as 16 feet.

A Hiding Habitat

Wondering just how this gator grew so big? Well, it required some serious hiding. According to Hanson, the only way an alligator can grow to that size would be by avoiding human contact. She explained, “This guy was hiding pretty good to get that big.”

After some fear rose across the state, Howze reassured citizens that the encounter is nothing to be worried about.

“You’re perfectly safe. These animals exist. They’ve been here for centuries, they’ve been existing with people for centuries and they’re gonna continue to,” he told a local TV station.