WHAT IT IS Toughing it out with one of nature’s most fearsome beasts
WHY YOU WON’T DO IT It’s a fight you could only hope to have once
You know the old joke about not annoying an alligator because they can be a bit snappy? There are only a handful of fatalities from alligator attacks in any one year in the United States so it’s important not to live in fear of such a rare event – but if you do get caught in a ‘gator dust-up, there is probably only going to be one winner.
The alligator’s natural habitat is tropical, swampy areas. They are not going to go out of their way to make trouble for you, but if you’re hanging around in their ‘hood, they may consider you fair game. These ancient reptiles are at their most active during warm summer months, and the most dangerous time for attacks is at dusk and in the early evening. If you find yourself in alligator territory, do your best not to attract their attention. For instance, if you’re on a fishing trip, don’t clean fish in the water. Perhaps surprisingly, golfers are also in particular peril – if you hit an awful shot and end up in the water, think very carefully before wading in to recover your lost ball. And if you’re out in the wilds with a favourite pet, keep them away from the water’s edge. Regardless of how faithful Fido is, to an alligator he’s just a tasty snack.
If you see ‘no swimming’ signs, pay attention, and don’t rely on your ability to spot an alligator – they are wily ambush predators who can maintain a very low profile in the water when they want to.
If you’re on land and have a head start, you can try outrunning an alligator – they have a mighty turn of speed but are not keen on prolonged land pursuits.
In the water you can forget about out-swimming your opponent, so if you realize you’ve attracted some unwanted attention, make as much of a commotion as possible. By making a nuisance of yourself, you might convince the alligator you’re just too much trouble
If you become engaged in a physical struggle, fight back. The alligator will attempt to drag you beneath the surface and pull you into a death roll. Hit the alligator where it hurts – go for the eyes, nostrils and ears, poking them with fingers or any weapon you can find. Try to cut them, or hit them as hard as you possibly can. To stop an alligator drowning underwater, it has a flap of tissue at the back of the throat behind the tongue. If the creature has managed to get its jaws around your limbs, aim for this flap with an arm or leg in the hope that it will instinctively release you.