WORLD OF WEIRD · HALLOWEEN
This Gator Is Really Into Halloween!
Forget the pumpkin-carving tools. This Florida Halloween tradition calls for some much bigger teeth.
Some people draw faces on pumpkins. Some carve them. And in Florida, some alligators are apparently in charge of demolition.
An Orlando animal handler known as the Gator Crusader made news in 2025 for footage of an alligator crushing a pumpkin in its jaws. FOX 13 Tampa Bay covered Michael Womer's unusual Halloween tradition, featuring video licensed through Storyful. We're linking to that footage rather than republishing it without permission.
Pumpkin carving, Florida style
The difference is simple: a human takes time to cut out a spooky smile; a powerful gator delivers a Halloween crunch. It's entertaining to watch, but this is a demonstration handled by experienced professionals, not something anyone should attempt around wildlife.
The tradition isn't limited to an old viral video. Gatorland's official 2026 Halloween schedule included seasonal activities, and local reporting described gator pumpkin-crushing presentations during the park's October festivities.
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Sources: FOX 13 / Storyful, October 30, 2025; Gatorland's 2026 official event schedule; WKMG 2026 event reporting. The banner is illustrative, not a photograph of the reported gator.