Is it true that there are alligators in the sewers?

Trumping all myths, however, is the fact that alligators wouldn't survive long in sewers. In a 1982 interview with The New York Times, sewer bureau spokesman John T. Flaherty said, "I could cite you many cogent, logical reasons why the sewer system is not a fit habitat for an alligator.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on livescience.com


Are there actually alligators in the sewers?

Alligators do not live in sewers. Though, sewer alligator stories date back to the late 1920s and early 1930s; in most instances, they are part of a contemporary legend. They are based upon reports of alligator sightings in rather unorthodox locations, in particular, New York City, but have yet to be confirmed.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on beniciaplumbing.com


How do alligators end up in sewers?

Alligators have been sighted in the drains and sewers of Florida as recently as 2017, due to many of these waste outlets' backing out onto the swamps. During storm surges and in the colder winter months, alligators sometimes shelter in convenient drains and hunt for rats to supplement their diet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


Can alligators come through the toilet?

In New York, stories of alligators in the sewers have proliferated since the 1930s, but they are probably just urban legends. In Paris, however, a crocodile was found in the city's sewers in the 1980s under Pont Neuf. There is no record, though, of an animal of this kind getting round a U-bend and arriving in a toilet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bbc.com


Do animals live in sewers?

Sometimes, animals found in sewers just get caught in the waste system, either lost or trapped by size or circumstance. There are anecdotes a-plenty of animals living in drains, though it admittedly makes for a horrible combination.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ranker.com


5 Most Compelling Pieces Of Sewer Alligator Evidence



What creatures are found in sewers?

It seems there is no end to the constant stream of news of animals of all shapes and sizes being found lurking in sewers or stuck in pipes, from relatively obvious candidates like rats and foxes through to ducks, dogs, cats, lizards, sheep and even entire cows!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lanesfordrains.co.uk


Are sewer rats real?

Sewer rats can be found anywhere with indoor plumbing, as long as the diameter of the drain system is large enough for the rats to fit through. However, the higher populations of urban areas does mean you may be more likely to find a rat in the toilet bowl if you live in a city.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on terminix.com


Can snakes swim up toilets?

Yes, but it's not common. Sometimes snakes will swim up through the pipes or enter a bathroom through an open window or door and coil up in a toilet bowl in search of a place to cool down during the hot, dry summers. However, this doesn't really happen in urban areas.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on animals.howstuffworks.com


Can a frog swim up your toilet?

Frogs need moisture to keep their bodies from drying out and can often be found near sources of water. Sometimes that water source is your toilet bowl. That's right, frogs can and do swim up your drain pipe and suddenly appear in your toilet bowl.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sec1031.com


Do alligators eat people?

It's never a good idea to get purposefully close to an alligator, tempt, or provoke it in any way. However, alligator attacks are fairly rare—and they eat people even less commonly. Only a small fraction of attacks are deadly, and often the remains are found intact after an attack.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on a-z-animals.com


Can alligators survive in New York City?

No concrete proof of alligator—albino or otherwise—has ever surfaced. And while a two-foot alligator was found in the sewers near a restaurant in New York City back in 2010—which is not the 50s—it's very unlikely that gator would have survived much longer in that environment.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ripleys.com


Are there alligators in London?

NHS statistics revealed at least seven people were attacked by crocodiles and alligators in England in 2018. But there are no native or wild species of crocs in the UK.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on examinerlive.co.uk


Are there alligators in New York lakes?

Alligators are not native to New York. Officials figure they were someone's pets and they released them into the river. It is illegal to keep an alligator as a pet on New York. Later in the afternoon, the gator was alive and well at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville .
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on newyorkupstate.com


Can alligators survive in Massachusetts?

Although sightings of alligators in Massachusetts are rare, there have been several sightings of gators across southern U.S. states over the last few months. The reptiles thrive in summer conditions but sometimes remain dormant in winter as the cool temperatures slow down their metabolism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on newsweek.com


Are there really alligators in Florida?

Alligators have inhabited Florida's marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties. In recent years, Florida has experienced tremendous human population growth. Many residents seek waterfront homes, and increasingly participate in water-related activities.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myfwc.com


Is there crocodiles in New Zealand?

Are there Crocodiles in New Zealand? Much like with the snakes, New Zealand is officially a croc-free country. This isn't to say that one or two might not show their faces from time to time, however, as there has been a confirmed sighting or two over the years.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on journeyingtheglobe.com


How do snakes get in toilets?

A snake can get into an opening on the connecting pipes, the inspection chamber, septic tank, soak-away pit (like a big crack on the cover slab) and conveniently make its way into the pipe that links the toilet bowl to these structures, then up, into the house.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on punchng.com


Can a spider survive being flushed down the toilet?

No, they drown. Spiders which you find in the bath have fallen in, not, as widely assumed, emerged from the plug-hole, as they cannot get past the U-bend (they drown).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theguardian.com


Can rats swim up toilets?

Not only are rats excellent swimmers, but they also have a compressible ribcage that allows them to squeeze into tight spaces with ease. In addition, they can hold their breath for minutes at a time. This combination allows rats to swim up through the sewers and get inside the inner workings of your toilet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on advancedipm.com


Do snakes poop?

' This opening can be found at the end of a snake's belly and beginning of its tail; unsurprisingly, the feces are the same width as the snake's body. A snake will use the same opening to defecate, urinate, mate, and lay eggs—now that's multi-purpose!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blogs.ucl.ac.uk


Do snakes drown?

Registered. Most snakes will soak in a bowl if they can fit in it. Try to provide a relatively large bowl in comparison to the length or size of the snake as it's not impossible for an animal to become stuck and drown.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on reptileforums.co.uk


What do snakes poop look like?

Chances are you're really wondering what snake poop looks like. For starters, it's usually brown, just like most other animal droppings. In fact, it is very difficult to distinguish snake poop from the poop of other carnivores. It may have streaks of white urea along it or a white urea cap.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wildlife-removal.com


Will a rat bite me in my sleep?

Most bites happen at night while the patient is sleeping. Rats tend to bite parts of the body that are exposed during sleep, like hands and fingers. Rat bites are usually not severe: most bites are simply washed and the patient is immediately released. The infection rate of rat bites is very low -- about 2%.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ratbehavior.org


Do rats eat poo?

Do rats eat their own faeces and dog poo? Rats will eat their own faeces – up to 40% – as a source of nutrition and the gut flora required to maintain a healthy digestive system. This is known as coprophagy and is because rats do not fully absorb the nutrients from the food they eat.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pest.co.uk


Can a mouse come up a toilet?

A mouse in the house… is much more likely to be 'mice' in the house, which can be a real problem to get rid of effectively. These little rodents can climb ladders, walls, cables and swim through pipes (yes, they can potentially come up through your toilet!).
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rentokil.co.uk