Alligators are fascinating reptiles with large bodies and hard scales. Along with their fascinating features, being such huge predators, they also cast fear in people. Our thoughts immediately turn to animals and people being snatched and swallowed by these terrifying reptiles. Others have wondered if alligators eat humans.
Alligators can eat people, as there have been recorded cases of alligator attacks. But alligator attacks are quite rare, as we are not a part of their natural diet, and they do not actively hunt humans. There have only been 21 fatal alligator attacks worldwide in the last 50 years.
Read more about alligators below.
Why Do We fear Alligators?
Part of why you would be afraid of an alligator immediately when you see one is that we are evolutionarily wired to fear them. Alligators are natural predators; they hunt on both land and in water, and like practically every other predatory animal can be dangerous.
Half of its body constitutes its strong tail. The jaw of a crocodile smashes its victim with 3,700 pounds per square inch of power. That’s more than three and a half times a lion’s bite and 25 times a human’s bite.
Are Alligators Friendly?
It would be an exaggeration to state that alligators are friendly to humans; while they may approach you if they believe you are there to feed them, they are just interested in a quick meal and not in making friends with you.
However, alligators are not always hostile against humans; most alligator “attacks” are harmless interactions that result in the alligator moving away without injuring the victim.
How Often Do Alligators Attack Humans
Alligators are generally peaceful animals that avoid conflict, particularly with humans. As a result, unprovoked alligators rarely represent a threat to humans. Studies show that alligators are responsible for less than 6% of deadly human attacks. In comparison to other predatory species, this is a very low figure.
Alligators usually eat small animals. Their diet consists of fish, birds, turtles, snakes, and frogs are all examples of amphibians. Smaller prey, including crabs, minnows, snails, and worms, are commonly consumed by hatchlings. Alligators eventually progress from little fish to larger prey as they grow.
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How To Keep Safe From Alligators
If you ever come across an alligator, here are some precautions to take to keep it safe.
Do Not Get Close To Alligators
Going too close to alligators may be perceived as agitating them, so avoid locations where they live and feed. If you get too close to them, they may snap at you or hiss to warn you to get away. They may, however, launch a full-fledged attack to show their control.
Keep Away From Their Young
An alligator may also attack humans if they come too close to their young. Although these creatures do not nurse their young, they are protective of them and may snap at you if you approach them.
Baby alligators are normally pretty harmless, and their mother is usually nearby, sometimes under the water, even if you can’t see her. While they are adorable to look at, never attempt to touch them as this may result in an assault by the mother.
Do Not Feed Them
Feeding alligators endanger both people and animals. Providing food for these wild creatures not only makes them bolder and encourages them to seek out humans, but it also changes their natural diet in an undesirable way.
Like you are not supposed to feed ducks, turtles, or any other animals that live in the waters, and you are not supposed to feed the alligators either. This food supply also draws alligators and trains them to associate humans with food. Finally, do not clean fish in the water or leave scraps or bait on the ground, as these are also possible food sources for alligators.
Do Not Swim In Areas With Alligators
Make sure there are no gators in the water body you plunge into! Most attacks occur near or in the water. Swim only in places designated for water activities, and even then, keep an eye out. Boaters should avoid leaning over the side of their vessels because alligators can climb aboard and capsize small vessels as well as snap at dangling limbs.
Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. So it is advised that swim only during daylight hours.
What To Do If You See An Alligator
If you see an alligator, the best course is to leave the sight as soon as possible, without waiting for the alligator to notice you or start approaching you. If the alligator spots you, try to remain calm and back away slowly.
Alligators are drawn by motion, so it’s important to move slowly and steadily. Back away in a straight line, keeping your eyes on the gator at all times, until you are safely out of range or the alligator has lost interest in you.
What To Do If An Alligator Chases You
If you find yourself being chased by an alligator
Run in a straight line
As soon as an alligator begins to move toward you, begin running. Running straight away will put the biggest distance between you and the gator in the least amount of time.
Throw objects at the alligator
If the alligator begins to close in on you, throw anything you have in your hands back at it to halt its movement.
Turn around and fight
If running and throwing objects do not deter the alligator’s pursuit, turn around and confront it. Make loud noises, kick and puck it, and try to poke its eyes out.
Conclusion
Alligators may not actively hunt people but they are dangerous. If an alligator begins approaching you on land, turn and run away. Alligators are fast runners, but they don’t have the amount of endurance that humans do; they will quickly grow tired and, in most cases, will stop pursuing you.
