Crocs away! Moment alligator snuggles up to the wheels of a US Air Force plane at Tampa airbase before conservationists are called in to remove him

In a tale that could only happen in the Sunshine State, a daring alligator was wrangled to safety after snuggling up to the wheels of an US Air Force plane in Florida yesterday.

The reptile made a surprise appearance at Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base on Earth Day, and was captured on video resting below an aircraft before being jostled away by conservationists. 

In footage shared by MacDill on their Facebook page, the unexpected visitor can be seen slithering onto the tarmac and slinking near the aircraft, seemingly eyeing it as a prime nesting spot.

It wasn't long before the alligator made itself comfortable and nestled itself between the colossal wheels of the plane - making the beast look pocked-sized in comparison. 

In a video later shared by MacDill, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers can be seen springing into action as they lead to the alligator to safety.

A daring alligator was wrangled to safety after snuggling up to the wheels of an US Air Force plane in Florida yesterday

The reptile made a surprise appearance at Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base on Earth Day, and was captured on video resting below an aircraft before being jostled away by conservationists

Two officers use the weight of their body and precise techniques with the use of ropes to deftly wrangle the wayward reptile as it lurked perilously close to the aircraft. 

MacDill joked that the alligator was pushed out of its home by Elvis, an even bigger gator known to frequent the area.

The base thanked FWC for the help and added that the gator had been relocated to a more suitable location.

In an update to their Facebook post, MacDill wrote: 'Our newest toothy Airman has been relocated to a more suitable environment off base. 

'Special thanks to FWC for the assist. They think Elvis pushed this guy away from home. Great captions below! Happy Earth Day!'

They added: 'UPDATE: The gator is now in the Hillsborough River.'

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the timing of the alligator's unexpected excursion may be linked to the onset of mating season. 

With courtship rituals commencing in early April and the height of mating season looming in May or June, it seems this adventurous alligator was on a quest of its own, seeking out a mate or perhaps simply exploring its surroundings. 

the unexpected visitor can be seen slithering onto the tarmac and slinking near the aircraft, seemingly eyeing it as a prime nesting spot

It wasn't long before the alligator made itself comfortable and nestled itself between the colossal wheels of the plane - making the beast look pocked-sized in comparison

In a video later shared by MacDill, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers can be seen springing into action as they lead to the alligator to safety

Two officers use the weight of their body and precise techniques with the use of ropes to deftly wrangle the wayward reptile as it lurked perilously close to the aircraft

It comes after an 11-foot, 750-pound blind alligator was removed from a home in upstate New York earlier this month.

The 30-year-old alligator, nicknamed Albert, had been living in a man's home on Marie Drive in Hamburg, New York.

According to environmental conservation officers, the man had designed his house to suit the alligator.

The conservation officers alleged that the man, whose identity has not been reported, allowed visitors to get into the pool to pet the unsecured alligator.

While the man did previously have a DEC license for possession of Albert, the license expired in 2021, and the man did not renew it.