Many visitors to Sanibel Island visit the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge to see the amazing birds, the abundant alligators and our infamous Croc.  For those who know what I am talking about it is likely you saw her for yourself - 14 feet long and a gazillion teeth - she was one of the most amazing and scary creatures I have ever witnessed. 

It was reported in the News Press today that she has died.  She was found dead about a mile and a half from the refuge along the banks of the Sanibel River.  It appears that she died from natural causes and the recent cold spell likely didn't help this amphibian. 

We will all be a little sadder going through Ding and anticipating that perhaps around the next bend we would see her sunning herself, her mouth agape displaying all her hundreds of teeth.  For the years that I have lived on Sanibel, the croc was distinctly Sanibel and a creature of awe in an awe-inspiring place.  She will be missed.

For more information...

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101290375