Three-year-old boy wrestles alligator at wildlife park!Rex


Who needs a ball pool or softplay centre when you can spend your play times wrestling with an ALLIGATOR!

For plucky three-year-old Charlie Parker, normal toddler pursuits are just plain dull - this animal-loving tot prefers to get his thrills by wrestling in the water with a North American 'gator!

Gump - as the reptile has been christened - is just one of many creatures Charlie has at his disposal as playmates at the Ballarat Wildlife Park in Victoria, Australia. The little lad is also said to be at ease handling 2.5m boa constrictors and other lizards and snakes.

His proud dad Greg says that cheeky Charlie comes from three generations of animal carers, and loves being around the creatures.

"We didn't go out to encourage it but he just loves reptiles," Greg told the Mail, "Like everybody he's frightened of some things... others not so much."

Although Gump is still a baby at the moment, adult males of his species can grow to more than 13ft in length - wonder if Charlie will still want him as a playmate then?!

Top 10 family pets

  • Ferret
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Playful, busy and constantly on the move.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> You need more than one - they like company - and a very large hutch to keep them in.</p>
    Ferret
  • Guinea pig
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Gets ridiculously excited about lettuce (you can tell by the high-pitched squeaks).</p> <p> <strong>Minus: </strong></p> <p> Needs a large run, safe from predators - which has to be indoors in cold weather.</p>
    Guinea pig
  • Goldfish
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Calming, colourful and simple to look after.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> You have to keep an eye on small children who like throwing in too much food.</p>
    Goldfish
  • Dog
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Loyal, loving and part of the family.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Needs to be taken for a walk every day (and you have to pick up the poo).</p>
    Dog
  • Stick insect
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Minimal maintenance - needs only leaves and water.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Not overly affectionate. Can sometimes be confused with a twig.</p>
    Stick insect
  • Cat
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Beautiful to watch, and scares away mice.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Some are affectionate, some aren&rsquo;t (and there&rsquo;s nothing worse than being cold-shouldered by a cat).</p>
    Cat
  • Rabbit
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Affectionate and good-natured (although has been known to nip).</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Will probably need a hutch outside - which means clearing out dirty straw even when it&rsquo;s cold and raining.</p>
    Rabbit
  • Tortoise
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Looks incredibly wise and lives for a long time. Beware endangered species.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Not really around much for four or five months of the year.</p>
    Tortoise
  • Hamster
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Incredibly sweet and admirably fast.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Brilliant escape artist - and very smelly if the cage isn&rsquo;t cleaned often.</p>
    Hamster
  • Gerbil
    <p> <strong>Plus:</strong></p> <p> Small, furry and sweet.</p> <p> <strong>Minus:</strong></p> <p> Loves digging tunnels, so you&rsquo;ll need a very large cage with potting compost at the bottom.</p>
    Gerbil