Agent Stories | From Closings to Gators

One of the most emblematic images of Florida is the alligator. It’s ubiquitous; even the State University’s football team is named after the amphibian apex predator, and at least once a month there seems to be yet another picture of a lumbering post-Cretaceous dinosaur lumbering across a golf course. It might strike some as odd, however, that as prevalent as the image may be, resident Floridians don’t actually see a live alligator on a regular basis – if at all, depending on where they live.

Lake Panasoffkee in Sumter County is a quiet but popular recreation spot for anyone who loves the outdoors, with a 9911 acre park and preserve and some of the state’s best birdwatching, hunting, hiking, and fishing. In fact, the natural spring-fed lake is well known for its Bass hauls and is a top spot for anglers.

“It’s not a huge big lake, but it’s really pretty out there,” says Jeaneen Crisante.  “There’s also a lot of history to it, and there are still a lot of the old Indian markers and artifacts around.”

Jeaneen, who is an agent at Showcase, and her husband Tim are the relatively new owners of Tom & Jerry’s Airboat Rides, tucked on the South shore of the lake, right on the estuary canals. Neither was exactly set out to own an alligator airboat touring company and educational center; they both have active and thriving careers in commercial and business development properties – but sometimes life throws you curveballs.

“We were just kind of looking for a retirement development, so to speak,” Jeaneen explains. “Being creative researchers, as real estate people are, we just started looking around for something similar; a place where the owners might be retiring and interested in selling their business.”

Tom & Jerry’s was literally a wild shot at the dartboard.  The Crisantes were familiar with its history as a popular tourism spot on the lake, but didn’t have any personal connection to it at all. But some kind of sixth sense encouraged Jeaneen to do some first-hand reconnaissance; she just had a feeling about the place. So she walked up and knocked on the door, asking if the owners were around.

“Within half an hour, they were talking to us about taking it over,” she chuckles. “Which anyone knows, things hardly ever happen that way.”

That was in July of 2024. By late August, in an equally improbable turnaround, the ink on the contract was signed, hands shaken over the deal, and she and her husband took over the business, which included two young juvenile alligators named Hoot and Scoot and the adult gators Tom and Jerry – for whom the park was named – two ball pythons, a corn snake, Buster and Bruiser the African tortoises, and a turtle.

Tom & Jerry’s was literally a wild shot at the dartboard.  The Crisantes were familiar with its history as a popular tourism spot on the lake, but didn’t have any personal connection to it at all. But some kind of sixth sense encouraged Jeaneen to do some first-hand reconnaissance; she just had a feeling about the place. So she walked up and knocked on the door, asking if the owners were around.

“Within half an hour, they were talking to us about taking it over,” she chuckles. “Which anyone knows, things hardly ever happen that way.”

That was in July of 2024. By late August, in an equally improbable turnaround, the ink on the contract was signed, hands shaken over the deal, and she and her husband took over the business, which included two young juvenile alligators named Hoot and Scoot and the adult gators Tom and Jerry – for whom the park was named – two ball pythons, a corn snake, Buster and Bruiser the African tortoises, and a turtle.

If you are resisting the urge to sing “and a partridge in a pear tree”, we totally get it – but it’s doubtful a partridge would last very long here before becoming said alligators’ or the snake’s lunch.

Alligator habitats are concentrated in wetland areas – freshwater marshes, rivers, lakes, and swamps, so generally if you’re living in an urban area, you’re unlikely to see them ambling along Main Street. Golf courses appear to be a favorite hangout because of the abundant water sources (the bane of every player) and the resulting small prey animals, like fish and birds, but otherwise alligators pretty much stick to more sequestered, private accommodations to hunt and nest. They can live up to 50 years in captivity and are generally shy by nature, preferring to bask in the sun in peace and quiet, avoiding humans unless directly threatened. 

They’re considered a keystone species because of the small ponds called “alligator holes” they build in the flat areas of the wetlands. These ponds help retain water during hot, dry seasons, which in turn provides new habitat refuges for aquatic creatures, as well as places for other reptiles to nest and plants to grow. Basically, they’re alligator-built oases that help develop foraging sites and new homes, consistently developing the ecosystems of the wetlands.  

“I think they’re fascinating, and so interesting to watch,” Jeaneen says. “People might not think of alligators having personalities, but it’s surprising just how fast you start to pick up on the different behaviors and ways they react to you. I mean, they’re wild animals, and you don’t want to go and cuddle them – but they recognize people they see regularly.” 

The boat captains who take groups out on the estuary and lakeshore are all intimately knowledgeable about the habitat and its denizens, having years of direct experience with Panasoffkee. It’s their thorough understanding and easy storytelling style that makes the hour-long tour so popular with people, and Jeaneen considers them indispensable and integral to the success of the whole operation, which currently has five airboats that hold between 12-25 passengers. 

“They’ve been on the water doing this for a long time. The gators know them on sight because they know we aren’t there to hurt them, so they’re like, ‘Oh, okay, I guess you’re here to look at me again,” Jeaneen smiles.  “Our captains are who you ask if you want to know anything about the lake, the wildlife, or the alligators and they help each other out. They’re a key part of our success.” 

A big part of their plans, she explains,  includes educational outreach and learning opportunities that support and promote alligator awareness and habitat.  

“We want to give back to the area and encourage more understanding about conserving these natural resources, so we’re building an education center where we can show the animals and teach people more about not only our native species, but other important wildlife that have such a huge impact on our environment.” 

They’re working directly with schools and bus tour companies to create interesting curriculum programs about the indigenous flora and fauna, “and goes in depth into what’s out there on the water, what they’re seeing, and how Mother Nature works,” she adds. Groups can book parties, enjoy picnics and events, take airboat rides, and have the opportunity to meet a baby gator or ball python up close and personal. They’re also acquiring additional animals for the learning center. 

It’s only been a few months since she walked up to that door and knocked, and while buying an alligator airboat business isn’t necessarily the most conventional of retirement properties, Jeaneen is glad she trusted her instincts, because for her and her husband it’s been a thoroughly rewarding journey so far. They’re excited about the upcoming plans and partnerships they’re making, and Jeaneen says it keeps her even more engaged as a REALTOR?, because it expands her own knowledge about the community and its visitors. 

Plus, she says, they’ll never be bored or idle. 

“You can’t retire and do nothing – or at least we couldn’t,” she says. “And it’s great to meet so many people from all over the world and see how much they’re enjoying it.” 

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