'Hug An Alligator' Is Now Open For Business
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
If you have always wanted to get close to an alligator, you are in luck. Naples, Fl resident Mike Sturgill a.k.a. Gator Man Mike, will not only allow you to touch the scaly reptiles, but also, give them a big hug for a mere $5.00USD.
While it may sound dangerous, Mike insists that his Gators are quite harmless, because he has had them since they were hatchlings. His chief hugger is a five-year old 35lbs Gator called Baby Bobby. According to his owner, Baby Bobby just loves to snuggle up to humans because of their body heat.
The chief hugger also has two younger apprentice - Smaller Gators called Toby and Wally. They step in when customers are a little squeamish about hugging big bad Baby Bobby and are also in training take over as chief huggers in a few years time, when Baby Bobby becomes too big to be cuddly and will have to be retired from the business.
While Mike may be comfortable with his Gators, the officials of the City Council of Naples were a little nervous about the business, especially given that he wanted to set it up next to a candy shop in the the bustling Tin City shopping district. They only gave the green light after he agreed to muzzle the Gators' mouths with velcro and obtain a million dollar liability insurance in case, one of the reptiles decided to nip a client.
The venture, dubbed Gator Man Mike's opened its door to fans earlier this week and so far, business has been pretty decent. Baby Bobby's first customer was a brave five-year old who seemed to love every minute of it! Would you hug a Gator? Be sure to let us know, by adding your comments below.
Resources: nbc-2.com, huffingtonpost.com, odditycentral.com
Cite Article
Geography
Learn Keywords in this Article
44 Comments
- Salmaan M.over 14 yearsThat is so cool how you can just walk up to alligator and give it a hug!!! Now I want a pet alligator. Where do you get pet alligators from, a beach?
- james over 14 yearsI want to pet an allagator when it just hachet.
- Camover 14 yearsThat would be awesome! Were do I sign up.
- Hrishikeshover 14 yearsThat is so cool!!!! I cant believe they are actually hugging an alligator.
- evan :)over 14 yearsthats so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
- Ryan :)over 14 yearsWow!!!!!! That would be so much fun. I need to convince my parents to take me to Naples!!!!! I wonder if I will ever hug an Alligator?
- gibran:)over 14 yearsput a video.
- kallenover 14 yearsI wonder if I ever hug an alligator, hope it wouldn't bite me.
- Nayabover 14 yearsThis is really neat! I wanna hug a alligator without getting hurt.
- james over 14 yearsI want to have a alagator.