Alligator Attacks
The Truth about Alligator Attacks
Alligator attacks are on the rise worldwide, partially because housing sprawl during the recent boom economy was bringing people and alligators into closer proximity to each other.
Are alligator attacks inevitable when a human and an alligator find themselves in the same area?
Experts say that alligators have an inherent fear of humans, and do not go out of their way to attack them. Alligators are commonly seen in states like Florida, where they are members of their environment in positive ways as well as the publicized negative ways.
But, that being said, alligator attacks do happen in Florida, and elsewhere. There have been sixteen fatal attacks reported in Florida since the 1950's. In addition, roughly fifteen to twenty non-fatal alligator attacks occur each year there. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, most attacks appear to happen when people are near or in the water.
No one can predict whether you will be attacked, if you live in an area with alligators present. There are ways to decrease your chances of being a victim of alligator attacks, however. They include:
Keeping a safe distance away from any alligator you see.
Never harassing alligators or throwing things at them.
Never feed alligators. This can cause them to overcome their natural fear of people.
Keeping feet, hands, legs and arms inside the boat if you're out on the water.
Staying aware of the possibility that alligators are in the area when you're swimming.
Everyone has heard horror stories about alligator attacks, but learning about alligators will help you understand why they act the way they do. Alligators have been inhabitants of Florida for centuries, in lakes, rivers, swamps and marshes. Florida has experienced a great deal of human population growth in recent years, and it's only natural that humans will begin to infringe on the territories of the alligator.
Alligator attacks are not as common as cable news channels make them sound, but whenever people and alligators are living in the same general areas, conflict is always a possibility. Alligators are predators by nature, and their large size enables them to intimidate intruders like pets and livestock. Sometimes it will go far enough that these animals are victims of alligator attacks.
Since 1948, there have been more than 275 documented unprovoked alligator attacks on humans, and seventeen of these resulted in death of the person attacked. Most alligator calls to the FWC are nuisance calls, though, reporting such things as alligators in pools, and like incidents.
You can help yourself, as stated above, from being a victim of an attack. Be aware and be wary when you're in an area that you know or suspect may have alligators present. In this way, you can diffuse many attacks before they occur.