Once endangered, the Florida alligator has made a comeback and can be found in county water bodies, according to Pinellas County's Animal Services website.

CNN: In Florida, gator takes bite out of crime -- and man

The university decided to upgrade from a smaller dog mascot to counter rival Florida's tough-looking alligator, Albert.

FORBES: Magazine Article

This week's contributor is Dwayne Robinson, student writer at The Alligator, the University of Florida student newspaper.

CNN: College GOP group pitching 'big tent'

They were heading down a swath of highway raised out of the wetlands, past a schizophrenic landscape of saw-grass prairies and strip malls, where the road signs warned of panthers and the billboards advertised alligator zoos and other South Florida attractions.

NEWYORKER: The Valetudinarian

For instance, the San Diego Zoo received two female Chinese alligators from a zoological park in Florida in early July and wants to start breeding the critically endangered species if they can get a male Chinese alligator next year.

BBC: The dual sides of animal captivity