A southern Alabama man discovered a very unwanted surprise in his garage last week.

According to the homeowner, a nearly six-foot-long alligator was hiding under the workbench. After making this startling discovery, the man immediately called Gulf Shores Police, who quickly dispatched officers to the scene.

“The hard part is getting on top of them and blocking their mouth,” Officer William Phillips, one of the officers who responded, told Fox News. “Once you get their mouth blocked, then you've got to get their arms and their front legs, because they're going to lunge at you about two-thirds of their body length.”

Mr Phillips said April is thought to be courtship season for crocodiles, with May and June being the official mating season.

The former game warden also offers advice to the public on what to do if they come into contact with an alligator at this time of year.

“Leave it to the professionals. Don't try to be a hero.”

The crocodiles were captured and then relocated to more suitable habitat.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News.