This is theory only, and all mine. However I think it makes sense.

Recently, since the weather warmed up, the trails have more Alligators in the way. That’s 100 %  normal, except it’s not just the ‘teenagers’ anymore.

The photograph above is not a small gator, and he is almost blocking the trail, and…he is not leaving.

Teenagers are less than 3 feet (91.5cm). They grow a foot a year until around 3, then they start the change to a ‘grownup’.

My theory is they still act like they did when younger, and small guys always hang out on the trails.

Now they are big but still want to hang out. The other day for the first time I had to turn back, I was completely out numbered by the big guys.

A little later I barged through as usual, but this time I paid more attention to them. Wow, I think they’re taking back the swamps!