What? A croc?

Reports of recent crocodile sightings on the Tennessee River have wildlife officials on alert and searching the banks of Flint Creek and Dry Branch.

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge has received multiple reports of crocodiles, which are not native to this area, and despite initial skepticism, even national biologists are taking reports seriously.

“We’ve heard this before, but it’s usually from someone who doesn’t understand there’s a difference between crocodiles and alligators,” said Luke Snoute, Southeast manager of the Reptile Conservation Society.

Snoute arrived Monday from Jacksonville, Fla., to see for himself.

He said that whatever type of reptile the four witnesses saw, it showed no aggression, even when tapped with a boat paddle.

If the reports prove accurate, it would be the first crocodile in Alabama history.

Alligator sightings are common because the refuge released them on the 34,000-acre wildlife preserve in the 1970s as predators to reduce an out-of-control beaver population.

After public outcry, the refuge tried to remove the alligators but could never locate all of them.

Wildlife biologists are taking the recent crocodile sightings more seriously because there were four in two weeks, including one from a professional angler, Chester “Gator” Seminole from South Florida. He assured biologists he knows the difference between the two types of reptiles. The fisherman reported getting close enough to touch it with a paddle.

“He said he’s fished the Everglades since he was knee-high, and though he didn’t come out and say it, we got the idea he has killed a few in his lifetime,” Snoute said.

There are distinct differences between the two species:

Shape of the jaw — Alligators tend to have wide, U-shaped, rounded snouts, while crocodiles tend to have longer, more pointed, V-shaped snouts.

Teeth — The fourth tooth on the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip on crocodiles, so you can see it when their mouths are closed. In alligators, this fourth tooth is covered.

Habitat — Crocodiles have special glands in their tongues that can get rid of excess salt, so they tend to live in saltwater habitats. Alligators have these glands, too, but they don’t work as well, so alligators prefer to live in freshwater habitats.

With 23 species of crocodilians, though, these general rules don’t always apply. There are exceptions.

Australian native?

Snoute said the most common freshwater crocodile, however, is native to Australia, which is even harder to fathom than one swimming up the Tenn-Tom from Mobile via Florida.

If it is a true freshwater species, the public can find comfort knowing it’s not a man-eater because its jaws are too small to seriously harm humans. They are remarkably docile, Snoute added, which would explain why a fisherman was able to get close enough to tap one with a paddle.

‘Labrador’ reptile

“They’re sort of the Labrador retriever of the reptile world,” Snoute said. “They might lick you to death.”

Leroy Buford of Falkville reported the first sighting March 15, while fishing along the Flint Creek bank near the Hickory Hills boat ramp. The second came from two Northwest Decatur residents while exercising on the walking trail around Dry Branch.

Flint Creek report

Seminole, the pro fisherman, made the third sighting in Flint Creek near Point Mallard. Another bank fisherman, Bubba Hicks, also reported seeing a crocodile near Hickory Hills.

The Dry Branch sighting is a little sketchy, Snoute said, but he will still look for evidence there.

Allie Kroco said she was walking the trail with her cousin when the relative saw something that startled her.

“She gasped, ‘That big ol’ log just moved,’ ” Kroco said. “I turned and looked where she was pointing and saw it, too.

“I think it was a crocodile,” she said. “It was ugly and scary looking. I guess it could have been an alligator. I don’t really know. I know it was no log.”

She said she is now exercising at Wilson Morgan Park.

Poodle alert

Buford said his miniature poodle, Princess, alerted him to the reptile with excited barking. It was about 30 feet from shore and was motionless until he cast a lure a few feet from it in an attempt to snag it.

“I must of scared it because it wrangled around and made a big splash before it disappeared under water,” he said. “I swear it had to be over 10 feet. When it turned, I saw its lower teeth. I saw a show on Animal Planet, and that’s how you tell it’s a crocodile.”

Buford said he’s gone back to the same place nearly every day since then but has not had another sighting.

“I hope I get some sort of government reward if I catch it,” he added. “Hopefully, they’ll let me keep it so I can stuff it and put it in my living room over the fireplace.”

Snoute said the most logical explanation is that the crocodile is really an alligator with a tooth deformity. It’s rare, but that’s generally what most of the crocodile sightings in alligator country end up being.

“From my experience,” he said, “most crocodile stories are just a bunch of crock anyway.”

Which might describe this story.

Happy April Fools Day!