The Brief A large alligator was found chilling in the backyard pool of a South Texas home. "Gator Jake" Reinbolt said the massive reptile measured 10 feet long but was missing about 6 inches of his tail. A large alligator who had clearly been through it was recently found lounging in the backyard pool of a South Texas home. Photos showed the massive reptile enjoying the pool before Reinbolt and his colleague were able to trap him. "He would have been slightly longer but he was missing the last 4 to 6 inches of his tail," Reinbolt said.