When visiting Long Island this summer - maybe for their beaches or wineries - you may want to keep an eye out for alligators.

It's not something you expect to hear, or see, when going to Long Island, NY. But, in the past few years and with sightings as recent as a week ago, there seems to be an increasing pattern of encountering these reptiles.

Now, I don't always cite the New York Post. But when I do, it's apparently about alligator sightings in Long Island. The NYP reports that there have been at least 16 alligators found in Long Island in less than a year, which is nearly half of the total amount discovered in the 1,401 square mile area since 2003. The article continues that the alligators have been averaging about 2 to 3 feet long.

Five of the alligators have been seen in the Peconic River, according to Newsday.

The alligators, which cannot survive the NY winters, appear to have come from people who bought the animals as pets then released them as they got too big. Owning alligators could bring a prison sentence of up to a year or a $1000 fine. And there's a maximum fine of up to $250.

This is not a new problem. Ie - the alligator pictured above was caught on the Long Island Expressway in 2011.

If you do happen to see one, you might want to call 631-444-0250. And/or call the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (preferrably the TMNT from the 80s/90s and not today).