An alligator in Cascade Lake?
A local woman and some children certainly believe so, and called Rochester police Tuesday night to report the sighting.
The call came in about 8:15 p.m., sending two officers to the area in northwest Rochester, said Lt. Mike Sadauskis. They searched for about 45 minutes for the animal, but couldn't find anything.
The woman said the 3- to 4-foot long "alligator or crocodile started to come out of the water," the report says, but stayed in.
If the witnesses aren't mistaken, the reptile is likely a former pet that either escaped or was set loose, Sadauskis said.
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He cautioned residents not to approach it if they spot it, but to call law enforcement immediately. He also warned pet owners to be aware of the possibility the alligator is there.
Adult alligators are black or dark olive-brown with white undersides, while juveniles have contrasting white or yellow marks which fade with age. The average length is about 13 feet.
The type of food eaten by alligators depends on their age and size. When young, alligators eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans and worms. As they mature, progressively larger prey is taken, including larger fish such as gar, turtles and various mammals, particularly muskrats, as well as birds, deer and other reptiles.
