So here's Torii Hunter kissing an alligator on a dare from Justin Verlander (UPDATE: Almost!)

Because Tuesday was an average day at Spring Training in Lakeland, Fla., there was an alligator hanging out in the Tigers clubhouse. Torii Hunter, who grew up on the outskirts of gator country in Arkansas, apparently has a bit of a phobia when it comes to the reptiles.

So Justin Verlander did the only sensible thing: He dared Hunter to kiss it. The outfielder faced his fears, though whether those fears were conquered or not is still not a settled matter:

(No actual alligator boots were made in the making of this Instagram.)

Update 3/5: "I didn't actually kiss it," Hunter said Wednesday morning. "I was on the backside of it. I'm definitely afraid, and my wife wouldn't kiss me after that. What if he broke loose and bit my nose off? Noseless Torii."