Alligator emerges from the surf on Florida beach popular with spring breakers

Florida beachgoers were joined by a special guest Saturday at St. Andrews State Park when an alligator emerged from the tide, according to WJAX, a CBS station serving Jacksonville.

The alligator was spotted sunbathing on the beach in Panama City by Lisa Powell Niemiec, whose photos of the surf-loving reptile went viral and were shared nearly 7,000 times.

Alligators are not usually seen in salt water for more than a few days at a time, typically choosing to hunt and breed in swamp, lakes, springs and other fresh water bodies, according to the National Ocean Service.

Read the full article at WJAX.