Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Gator In The Sewers! Gator In The Sewers!


By

Jen Carlson

Published Aug 23, 2010

Modified Aug 23, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Elizabeth Ferguson via the Post

 


By

Jen Carlson

Published Aug 23, 2010

Modified Aug 23, 2010


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

If you've ever shrugged off the idea of gators in our sewers before, you might be interested in hearing about this alligator that was just pulled from the sewer system in Queens. Yes, the legend is real.

According to the NY Post, an 18-inch gator crawled out of an overflowing storm drain in Astoria yesterday afternoon and quickly sought refuge underneath a car. This all happened on Newtown Avenue and 29th Street, where locals were heard screaming, "Crocodile!" (The Daily News points out that the difference between a croc and a gator is all in the snout.)

While the NYPD were quick to take cell phone pics of the creature, they weren't ready to declare it actually came from the sewer; a spokesman told the paper, "It could have been dumped from a car or it could have come out of a sewer." The gator was taken by Animal Care & Control, and will now be taken to a licensed rehabilitator or reptile sanctuary... but maybe he should be taken in for questioning first so we can find out about the colony of sewer gators he undoubtedly left behind.

Tagged

alligator

astoria

gator

legend

queens

sewer


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC

The DSA's NYC chapter accused the NYPD of collaborating with ICE and demanded Mayor Mamdani hold Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch responsible.

By

Elizabeth Kim

,

Brigid Bergin

and

Ben Feuerherd

Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET


Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash

When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.

By

Kaya Laterman

News

Two people killed in Bronx vehicle crash

When officers arrived on the scene in Allerton Friday afternoon, they found three pedestrians who were unconscious with trauma to the head and body, according to the NYPD. Two individuals later died.

By

Kaya Laterman


NY will opt in Trump’s school choice program, Hochul says

By

Jon Campbell

Residents, lawmakers warned for months of potential for deadly ICE activity in Marble Hill

By

David Brand

Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione

By

Samantha Max


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .