Tree-Climbing Gator, Photo Bombing Shark, 'Attack Dog' Attack Backfires

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the more unusual animal-related stories that have made headlines this year so far:

Gator Goes Out On a (Tree) Limb

Florida residents are accustomed to alligators getting out and stretching their legs this time of year. Sightings in residential neighborhoods, along busy streets and even on sandy beaches aren’t all that uncommon. But it’s not every day that an alligator is spotted hanging out in a tree.

Florida Woman Fights To Keep Clothes-Wearing Gator Pet

Measuring about 6 feet in length and weighing in at 125 pounds, Rambo isn’t your ordinary pet. But then again, Lakeland’s Mary Thorn isn’t exactly your ordinary pet owner.

Shark Photobombs Florida Surfer

Photobombing has become such a popular pastime it seems it’s not even safe to go into the water anymore. At least that was the case Thursday for a surfer out riding the waves off Palm Beach.

Tampa Police ‘Standoff’ With Black Bear Ends Peacefully

Tampa Police officers found themselves involved in a standoff of sorts Tuesday morning. According to the agency, one of its officers was responding to an unrelated call around 5:30 a.m. when he saw a large animal running by him.

Watch: Manatee Crashes Florida Backyard

A St. Petersburg woman got quite a surprise over the weekend when she found unusual visitors in her backyard. It seems two manatees took advantage of high waters to pay her a personal visit.

Pit Bull Owner’s Command Bites Him In The Butt: Cops

A 26-year-old Florida man’s attempt to get his pit bull to bite police officers didn’t turn out like he expected. When ordered to “kill ‘em boy, kill ‘em,” the dog turned and bit its owner instead, according to a probable cause affidavit released by the Riviera Beach Police Department.

Largo Police Officer A Reptile Whisperer?

Largo Police Officer Christopher Asbury is gaining quite a reputation on the force for his uncanny knack for saving critters of the reptilian kind. The police department first became aware of Asbury’s unusual talents last week when it received a call about a rather large alligator creating a stir on 8th Avenue.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission