Shared Moment: No Vacancy

A photographer captures an image of an alligator pausing for a rest stop on top of a turtle

• Photograph by George Sanker
• PhotoZone
• May 25, 2016

AH, THE INDIGNITY of being mistaken for a bump on a log. While canoeing along Florida’s Hillsborough River, photographer George Sanker saw an American alligator approach a log occupied by a sunning Florida red-bellied cooter. Anticipating “an interaction,” Sanker watched as the alligator nonchalantly climbed aboard. Clearly “uncomfortable,” the turtle eventually pushed off and swam away, says Sanker. “The alligator just wanted that spot.”

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More from National Wildlife magazine and NWF:

Open-Shut Case: Alligator's "Sixth Sense"
An American Original
Ranger Rick's Alligators