Hug A Gator: Gatorman Mike Sturgill Opens Alligator Hugging Business in Tin City, Fla. (VIDEO)

Hug it out, Florida.

Visitors to the Tin City district of Naples can now "Hug & Hold an Alligator" with the city's resident reptile expert, Mike "Gatorman" Sturgill.

For just $5, tourists and their kids will snuggle up with Baby Bobby, a five-year-old alligator weighing approximately 35-pounds, or any of Sturgill's smaller and somewhat cuddly gators.

Opening wasn't all kisses and hugs, though. PETA and other animal rights groups voiced opposition to the business, particularly the practice of muzzling the reptiles' mouths closed. But with the City Council's approval -- and insistence of a $1 million liability insurance plan -- Mike is now open for business.

And so far, the alligator entrepreneur seems optimistic.

"First day in Tin City and we got a few hugs in already today," the "Gatorman" said. "They're smarter than people realize and they love their hugs contrary to what people believe. When you hug this guy he melts right into you because he likes that body heat."

WATCH:

Comments

[Pantsy]

11:21 AM on 11/03/2011

how exactly does one know if a gator actually likes being hugged?

at a mere $5 a pop, he'll be a millionaire in no time!

[ylobrkrd]

02:14 AM on 11/03/2011

I'm willing to bet that gators carry diseases that can be spread to humans.

[Chase Chevalier]

08:19 AM on 11/02/2011

Does this mean even Mr. Obama can one day hope for some hugs also? Wait I don't think the velcro muzzle will fit him.

[robiform]

06:16 AM on 11/02/2011

The idea is better than the one that Gov. Rick "Voldemort" Scott had--promoting alligator hunting as a tourist attraction!

And yes, I am a graduate of the University of Florida, so I'm not too crazy about gator hunting!! :)

[admoor]

02:11 AM on 11/02/2011

What? Hug-a-gator??? You kidding me?! I don't want to hug it. I would like to eat one. I would rather like to see one cooked, well marinated, for my appetizer, thanks!!

[Wolf Klauschie]

01:20 AM on 11/02/2011

I had a Nile Monitor lizard for nine years. Despite her species' reputation for viciousness, we had a very good relationship founded on a lot of hugging/sharing of body heat in her formative years. I was told that while I was in the hospital for a few days she seemed visibly depressed, and she was very clearly excited when I got home. Reptiles, at least some of them, do have emotional attachments to other creatures like us.

[captainindustry]

12:46 AM on 11/02/2011

Hug my ex-wife. $5

[nikolasoddfellow]

12:00 AM on 11/02/2011

Floridian weirdos. (rolls eyes and sashays towards the Ohio famous Hug N Eat A Piglet attraction) :^)

[Gronkie]

11:50 PM on 11/01/2011

I've held gators a couple of times. How many people reading this can say that? That's why I recommend it.

[odinfellow]

11:54 PM on 11/01/2011

I don't mean to be a one-upper, but we used to wrassle them things.

[captainindustry]

12:43 AM on 11/02/2011

the first liar never has a chance.

Me? I was adopted and raised by a big loving mama gator. When she died I cried for weeks.

[Gronkie]

12:34 PM on 11/02/2011

Is that why they call you "Lefty?"

[Tom Servo]

10:40 PM on 11/01/2011

What could go wrong with this?

[captainindustry]

12:43 AM on 11/02/2011

PETA could sue the company for being cruel to lizards.

[planetjeffy]

10:27 PM on 11/01/2011

take the muzzle off
and call it *Hug a gator once*

[Macus]

10:36 PM on 11/01/2011

hug a gator or die trying.

[janeinmia]

10:56 PM on 11/01/2011

Alligators are widely misunderstood. They are not combing the highways and byways looking for human prey -- they prefer something much smaller like birds and turtles (and when they are urbanized and things are out of balance -- small dogs).

I hate to ruin your perfectly good joke, but think it's important for people to know that alligators are an important part of the eco system and do not require killing on sight. I've walked, biked, and canoed right by them and they hardly even notice.

[carnivaluv]

11:41 PM on 11/01/2011

"They hardly even notice". LOLOL. It's you, that doesn't notice, you're being noticed.

[odinfellow]

11:55 PM on 11/01/2011

You're right. Of course, that was pretty funny too.

[olitenup]

10:26 PM on 11/01/2011

and the first time one of those animals bite someone, they will kill it.

How idiotic and abusive. People really have lost all sense of right and wrong.

[captainindustry]

12:45 AM on 11/02/2011

gators are not an endangered species. If you leave them alone, they will multiply like rabbits.

[americanalien]

10:21 PM on 11/01/2011

I heard it's no different than hugging a Republican. Feels the same.

[olitenup]

10:25 PM on 11/01/2011

Ha! Good one.

[Candide33]

10:28 PM on 11/01/2011

Nope, the gator is more cuddly and trustworthy LOL!

[kansas ham on wry]

10:09 PM on 11/01/2011

Yep, it's right next to the 'kiss-an-electric-eel' concession. Franchise opportunities are now available.

[Connie Markley Boppre]

10:10 PM on 11/01/2011

and don't forget the boa constrictor kissing booth. this is absolutely ridiculous.

[kansas ham on wry]

10:05 PM on 11/01/2011

It's right next to the kiss-an-electric-eel concession, just in case your masochistic tendencies aren't sufficiently sated with a reptilian embrace.

[kcinpa]

10:31 PM on 11/01/2011

Fanned for your bio!