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[chrisgillette]

A huge and exciting announcement, today I closed on a 40 acre property!! We will be expanding our rescue efforts and cannot wait to build a beautiful sanctuary on the property!! Plenty of room for lots of scaly friends!! It is in the Ocala area, so a bit of haul, and I’ll be coming down weekly to work with the gators still! This is my dream, @gabbynikolle and I plan on building what we hope will be the largest alligator rescue in Florida. We are going to need soooooo much help. So this is a public announcement that we need all hands on deck! We need handy men, help with fencing, digging, we need painters, electricians, movers, cage builders, ANYTHING will help with this massive undertaking. We plan on slowly moving in the next month, and to be completely moved in by April. This is also a great time for any company that has been asking to work with us to send us cages to the new house! We have been holding off on getting new cages for a while, because we were anticipating that we would be moving soon. We will especially need people skilled with fencing, digging ponds, swimming pools, and enclosure building. We will also be more than happy to shout out any companies that work with us through this! If you want to offer assistance please email [email protected] and I’ll be checking my DMs. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp3HjHSPSlo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

What do you guys think of this new pic of me and Casper?? New profile pic? Album cover? Wanted poster?😂 You can come swim with me and Casper! If you want to come join you can book online now, go to www.crocodilechris.com Let me know if you want to go!! This is done safely at the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue in Homestead, Fl. It is for people of any skill level. There is a safety fence separately guests from the gators. Observation and photos only at @evergladesoutpost and tour participants are separated from gators by safety fence. Remember all the gators you see me working with are rescue nuisance gators, caught from the wild as big as you see them now! None are raised in captivity, I didn’t know them from babies, they’re wild animals I work on training. Nuisance gators are ones that show up in a backyard or other unwanted place and are typically shot and killed, the state kills 7k-8k each year. We volunteer our time to catch & rescue them and bring them to sanctuaries, unpaid. Wetsuit by @cressi1946 Photo taken by @george_da_nature_dude_ with my aquatics housing and 90D #glades #southflorida #Miami #glades #reptile #reptilesofinstagram #underwaterphotography #gatortour #underwatergatortour #thingstodoinmiami #subaruambassador https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn8CysEuteR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

Yep that’s me posted on the @floridaman account 😂😂😂 this is from like ten years ago😂 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn49RqsPIiF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

Heading back into the Peruvian Amazon today!! I’m leading a group of 9 people on an epic adventure, we will be hiking in the jungle day and night in search of wildlife!! Here are a few shots from previous expeditions of my favorite snake to find here, the mighty bushmaster!!! The largest viper in the world, this massive venomous snake is always on of my prime targets to see! I will have little to no connection to the outside world the next ten days, so wish us luck and I’ll see you guys on the other side!! #venomous #venomoussnake #bushmaster #lachesis #animals #reptile #snake #peru #amazon #peruvianamazon #perutravel #southamerica #jungle #dangerous https://www.instagram.com/p/CkgI52Uuqux/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

We just rescued this cute little gator out of a fountain at a neighborhood! That’s a first😂. There was a steady stream of cars driving by hitting the brakes like “wait what was that??”. As cute as he is, don’t ever try to handle any gators of any size on your own as it is illegal. Leave it to the licensed professionals. Typically nuisance gators are caught and killed. Between seven and eight THOUSAND per year. This is why it’s so important to NEVER feed wild gators, even babies. (This is not a baby btw, this one is 6ft long) Once fed they lose their fear of humans and come too close. Once an alligator is deemed to be dangerous to people, pets, or livestock, or end up in places they’re not supposed to be, it is labeled as a nuisance alligator. By law, nuisance alligators either must be destroyed or kept in captivity if over 4ft. They cannot be relocated or released back into the wild, due to their incredible homing ability (they’ll often try to return to the place they were caught). With @gabbynikolle #alligator #Florida #SouthFlorida #Everglades #glades #adventure #coexist #respect #reptile #dangerous #animal #animals #educational #animaleducation #subaruambassador https://www.instagram.com/p/CidzA5suFIy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

Check out this handsome fella! @gabbynikolle and I just rescued this nuisance gator. We just got him out of a neighborhood after he killed a raccoon, turtle and duck today according to the homeowners. We decided to name him joker and he is around 9 feet in over 200 pounds. Typically nuisance gators like this are all killed. Between seven and eight THOUSAND per year. This is why it’s so important to NEVER feed wild gators, they lose their fear of humans and come too close, posing a threat. Once an alligator is deemed to be dangerous to people, pets, or livestock, it is labeled as a nuisance alligator. By law, nuisance alligators either must be destroyed or kept in captivity. They cannot be relocated or released back into the wild, due to their incredible homing ability (they’ll often try to return to the place they were caught). Luckily for him we will be taking him to the rescue instead of being killed as most are, and he will live out his life being well fed, taken care of, and loved. #gator #alligator #rescue #rescue #florida https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg-nv31t2ky/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

I had a great time talking about alligator safety today on America’s Newsroom on Fox News!! They specifically asked for Casper’s political views, but I had to say no comment😂. Don’t worry we kept it all gator facts and safety and nothing about politics! It was very short and sweet as news segments are, but I think I got some good points across! Alligators are not out to get us, stay safe by never feeding a wild gator, keep kids and pets away from the water’s edge, and never go swimming in gator habitat! #gator #alligator #florida #educational #scicomm https://www.instagram.com/p/CgzVXJKulIg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

A few photos of Aries and me, He’s such an awesome croc! This was the same day he tried to take my head off on the video I posted(if you haven’t seen go look, lots of views😂). A point people have a really hard time understanding is that these dynamic animals are not the one-sided wall of aggression they think, but intelligent complex creatures that choose each decision with thought based on experience. Within one minute everything is great, he’s nice and calm and happy, in fact onlookers say he looks completely tame and wouldn’t even hurt me. Next minute is in that video I posted last week where he tried to take off me head. “But he was so calm before that” people say, then the other side says “he’s purely instinctual killing machine”. They’re both wrong, I like to remind everyone these are intelligent wild animals, they change their kind like you and adapt like you. One of the most frustrating things about humans is our tendency to think in extremes- just look to politics to see it in full- but in this case either he’s a blood thirsty killing machines or a perfectly tame puppy. Reality lies in the middle, as it does in almost all topics. He’s no puppy but he’s also not the mindless killer people imagine. I’ll include info on him from previous posts—People obsess on generalizations like crocs are more aggressive, etc. It totally depends on the species(over a dozen species of croc) and it hugely depends on the individual! I’ve had *some gators way worse than *some crocs, and vice versa. Generally crocs are faster and more predatory, and more dangerous to work with for a skilled handler. But then they’ll look at gators as if they’re now lesser, but I like to remind everyone, dead is dead, they’ll both kill you just the same, especially when you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s like you’re choosing to get shot in the head with a 9mm or 45acp. You’re still dead either way. At the @evergladesoutpost thanks for the photo @george_da_nature_dude_ #croc #crocodile #Everglades #Glades #Florida #SouthFlorida #Miami #animal #animals #reptile #danger #dangerous #animaltraining #scicomm #educational #subaruambassador https://www.instagram.com/p/CfsdDiwNACA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

Some recent shots from my underwater gator tours!! We had an awesome group of four friends come join! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to join me and Casper! Let me know which one is your favorite! If you want shots like this I’ve got spots open this Friday and Saturday! You can come swim with me and Casper and get photos like these! . The tour appeals to both adventurers and animal lovers, and I offer to shoot my own photo package for them as well. If you want to come join you can book online now, go to www.crocodilechris.com Let me know if you want to go!! Share the water with alligators in a safe and controlled environment! This is done safely at the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue in Homestead, Fl. It is for people of any skill level, you don’t have to be scuba certified, just have an interest in wildlife! This is a no contact experience! Observation and photos only at @evergladesoutpost Taken by with my Canon 90D and 10-22 lens with @aquaticadigital housing. #gator #alligator #florida #everglades #southflorida #Miami #glades #reptile #reptilesofinstagram #underwaterphotography #gatortour #underwatergatortour https://www.instagram.com/p/CcjEqd2u3dC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

Some recent shots from my underwater gator tours!! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to join me and Casper! Let me know which one is your favorite! If you want shots like this I’ve got spots open this Friday and Saturday! You can come swim with me and Casper and get photos like these! . The tour appeals to both adventurers and animal lovers, and I offer to shoot my own photo package for them as well. If you want to come join you can book online now, go to www.crocodilechris.com Let me know if you want to go!! Share the water with alligators in a safe and controlled environment! This is done safely at the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue in Homestead, Fl. It is for people of any skill level, you don’t have to be scuba certified, just have an interest in wildlife! This is a no contact experience! Observation and photos only at @evergladesoutpost Taken by with my Canon 90D and 10-22 lens with @aquaticadigital housing. #gator #alligator #florida #everglades #southflorida #Miami #glades #reptile #reptilesofinstagram #underwaterphotography #gatortour #underwatergatortour https://www.instagram.com/p/CcTPw29OKLm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

A few bull shark photos from my snorkel trip a few days ago!! Bulls at sunset, it was really cool but photographically difficult as I was trying to show the sharks and the sunset. The one open mouth shot got that but was a little too far away for good color, but still not too bad! Fun day out with @x__e__l__a Bull sharks are one of the most feared and notorious shark species in the world, come see the reality of how beautiful and misunderstood they are! Sharks are among the top predatory animals on this planet, first appearing 420,000,000 years ago. I could’ve said 400 million years ago but I really wanted you to look at that number and think about it. It’s an incomprehensible amount of time. That’s around 200 million years before he first dinosaurs. They have evolved into over 400 species living today, with many more existing in the past. Throughout this time sharks have evolved into varied forms, from the 60ft megalodon shark to the dwarf lantern shark at an adult size of just over 7 inches. There are many kinds of sharks in strange shapes from the goblin shark to the whale shark, but the “classic” #shark look has remained extremely successful throughout the eons. The evolutionary success story known as the shark has survived multiple mass extinction events, but many species of shark will not survive the current anthropocene extinction. That is the sixth mass extinction on our planet, currently happening right now and directly caused by humans. For those looking to learn more on that checkout The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, but to keep relevant to sharks-many species’ populations have plummeted 80-90%. Do your part to help save them, never support shark fin soup or shark meat(yes this happens in US supermarkets), reduce seafood consumption as they’re often by catch, and help educate others! Don’t fish for sharks, even catch and release kills many through stress! All my dive gear is by @cressi1946 I’m shooting with a Canon 90D, 10-22mm wide angle lens, @aquaticadigital housing. #Shark #SharkDiving #Florida #Diving #Snorkeling #Freedive #SandbarShark https://www.instagram.com/p/CcLy_Ezv64k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chrisgillette]

It’s like taking a swim back 65 million years ago. Diving with a massive 15ft wild crocodile! This was such an incredible encounter!! These are a few shots of the huge American crocodile I’ve posted before. This is when he was swimming up toy surface for a breath, note the water clarity difference from top to bottom! I also included a shot of his face I’ve shared before. I have the full photo set up on my photography website www.ChriGillette.com and you can order prints! This is the same croc I posted before with the massive alligator I posted the epic video about on my YT. I had no idea how the croc would react and creeping around 15ft underwater in limited viz with this massive croc was intimidating to say the least. People always ask “how do you make it safe?” and my answer is always the same “who EVER said it was safe!?!” This is extremely dangerous with high risk of death. It’s always kinda funny and weird explaining that to people, like they genuinely don’t understand that the risk is real, it’s not a game, and if it was these animals play for keeps lol. There’s no safety net, your life is literally in your hands and the danger is very real. Thankfully this croc was very calm, but I feel I sometimes show the “nice” side a little too much and don’t remind people enough that literal death is RIGHT there if you mess up or don’t know what you’re doing. So here’s your reminder, this stuff is real, never try this on your own! Checkout the full video!! Taken with my Canon 90D and 10-22 lens with @aquaticadigital housing. #croc #crocodile #gator #alligator #florida #dangerous #reptile #animals #underwaterphotography #americancrocodile #diving #canon #canonphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb5vgyXOvn6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[chrisgillette]

Who wants to come down to the Amazon with me this fall??? I’m running another trip, open to the public, down to the Peruvian Amazon in the fall, October 29-November 8. This will be my eighth expedition down, and every time is amazing with new creatures and experiences!! These are a few shots from last falls trip!! Photos 1/2/9 are of bushmasters, we found TWO on the last trip! 3 is of one of two rainbow boas last trip 4/7 are of a gorgeous dwarf caiman 5 red vine snake, a common but beautiful snake 6 is a greater hatchet faced frog 8 is the frog of frogs of the area, the fringes leaf frog 10 is the South American coral snake Micrurus lemniscatus I’ll be leading an another expedition where we hope to see another bushmaster, along with other exciting wildlife!! Come join! If interested send me an email [email protected] Headlamp from @fenixlightingus #venomous #venomoussnake #frog #amphibian #reptile #adventure #bushmaster #lachesis #animals #reptile #snake #peru #amazon #peruvianamazon #perutravel #southamerica #jungle #dangerous https://www.instagram.com/p/CbNiKymOHzI/?utm_medium=tumblr

[chrisgillette]

Some recent shots from my underwater gator tours!! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to join me and Casper! Let me know which one is your favorite! If you want shots like this I’ve got spots open this Friday and Saturday! You can come swim with me and Casper! We keep everything in low numbers and Covid safe. The tours have always been very small private groups anyways so it fits into the current guidelines, and we will be following CDC guidelines. . The tour appeals to both adventurers and animal lovers, and I offer to shoot my own photo package for them as well. If you want to come join you can book online now, go to www.crocodilechris.com Let me know if you want to go!! Share the water with alligators in a safe and controlled environment! This is done safely at the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue in Homestead, Fl. It is for people of any skill level, you don’t have to be scuba certified, just have an interest in wildlife! This is a no contact experience! Observation and photos only at @evergladesoutpost Taken by with my Canon 90D and 10-22 lens with @aquaticadigital housing. #gator #alligator #florida #everglades #southflorida #Miami #glades #reptile #reptilesofinstagram #underwaterphotography #gatortour #underwatergatortour https://www.instagram.com/p/CbI0_B_FUUo/?utm_medium=tumblr

[chrisgillette]

Quick photo dump from the latest two weeks! Swipe through, what’s your favorite animal? 1 gray ratsnake I spotted while getting my wetsuit on before diving a spring 2 Brillo the armadillo! This guy and he rest of the photos are from our visit to @snakebytestv reptarium! 3 two headed California kingsnake! My first time seeing this in person 4&5 Asian water monitor 6 bowser the alligator snapping turtle 7 the two headed king snake again, so cool! 8 Salt and Pepper, albino and melanistic alligators!! So cool to see side by side!! 9 another shot of pepper the melanistic alligator 10 the whole group of us at the reptarium, so much fun!!! Huge thanks again to @snakebytestv #Snake #Alligator #Gator #Reptile #Animal #Animals https://www.instagram.com/p/CbDYga5uvaO/?utm_medium=tumblr

[chrisgillette]

Underwater photo I took of a wild alligator in the Everglades, I just posted up the video on YT! Linked in bio and on my story. This one was blind in one eye. It was in a really cool pose and great background! As always, don’t try this at home kids. Swimming with alligators is incredibly dangerous and your likelihood of survival if bit in the water is close to zero, once grabbed you’ll be deathrolled and drowned very quickly. I’ve been handling gators professionally over a decade, never enter the water where gators can be present. Photographed underwater in the wild with a Canon 90D, 10-22mm wide angle lens, Aquatica housing and Inon strobes. If you enjoy my photos I always read and appreciate comments, also feel free to share and see more at my website www.ChrisGillette.com #aquaticadigital #underwaterphotography #uwphotography #gator #alligator #everglades #florida #southflorida #glades #adventure #coexist #respect #reptile #adventure #floridalife #southflorida #miami #getcloser #evergladesnationalpark @aquaticadigital @canonusa @canon_photos https://www.instagram.com/p/CZU0aSmPK6B/?utm_medium=tumblr

[chrisgillette]

Some recent shots from my underwater gator tours!! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to join me and Casper! Let me know which one is your favorite! If you want shots like this I’ve got spots open this Friday and Saturday! You can come swim with me and Casper! We keep everything in low numbers and Covid safe. The tours have always been very small private groups anyways so it fits into the current guidelines, and we will be following CDC guidelines. . The tour appeals to both adventurers and animal lovers, and I offer to shoot my own photo package for them as well. If you want to come join you can book online now, go to www.crocodilechris.com Let me know if you want to go!! Share the water with alligators in a safe and controlled environment! This is done safely at the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue in Homestead, Fl. It is for people of any skill level, you don’t have to be scuba certified, just have an interest in wildlife! This is a no contact experience! Observation and photos only at @evergladesoutpost Taken by with my Canon 90D and 10-22 lens with @aquaticadigital housing. #gator #alligator #florida #everglades #southflorida #Miami #glades #reptile #reptilesofinstagram #underwaterphotography #gatortour #underwatergatortour https://www.instagram.com/p/CZNcBJGvc3W/?utm_medium=tumblr