Having spent much of my youth in Florida, I can tell you that when alligators are feeling lazy they are pretty cool creatures to be around. Problem is, you never know when they are suddenly become motivated to view your limbs as an appetizer. I have held alligators before...but their mouths were banded shut. They are very soft and smooth, not the sliminess you would expect.
For the record...I wouldn't hold the ladder either! LOL
Caged- Who knew she would enjoy being put on display?
When my husband was first starting out in his field, he spent a lot of time in the swamps of Florida. He actually stepped on one of the many gators that he saw. LOL and yes he still has both legs. I think the largest he said he came across was an 18 footer.