Alligator with penchant for convertibles browses cars at SC dealership, photos show
A large alligator showed up at a Mazda dealership in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, and photos show the inquisitive reptile actually browsed pre-owned sports cars before being carted away by state wildlife officers.
It happened Tuesday, May 23, in North Charleston — and the gator lingered for about an hour, mostly around the MX-5 Mazda convertibles.
As might be expected, Stokes MAZDA Superstore seized the moment.
“Why did the gator cross the road? To get to Stokes Mazda of course!” the dealership wrote on Facebook.
“We had a very unexpected visitor today! But at Stokes Mazda we help everyone (and everything) check out our vehicles! ... He liked that red convertible.”
Video shows the alligator literally went from one sports car to the next, sniffing the paint and checking the under carriage — a popular spot for alligators to hide.
The gator seemed particularly interested in the “Manager’s Special” — a pre-owned 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible “with only 29,410 miles.”
However, “he just couldn’t find what he was looking for so we called him a ride,” the dealership said.
That ride was the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, which sent experienced trappers to catch the alligator and haul it to an undisclosed body of water.
There were no reports of injuries to people or vehicles during the incident.
Commenters met the dealership joke for joke on social media, with some asking if the gator had a trade in or requested a test drive.
Alligators are native to eastern South Carolina, where they reach about 13 feet and live as long as 60 years, according to state officials.
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