When we were on the Amazon, Annie thought she was grabbing a branch, but it was really a crocodile! We learned that crocodiles and alligators live in the tropics both on land and in water. When they’re in the water, they look just like floating logs.
The next time we’re in gator country, we won’t dangle our hands over the sides of a boat. And we’ll always be really careful at night, when gators are most active. Here are some things you should know about crocs and gators:
1. Walk carefully, and be alert. These animals can remain still for hours and are often hard to spot.
2. Mother gators and crocs will attack in a heartbeat if they are protecting their eggs or babies, so watch for signs of a nest.
3. Back away if a gator takes an interest in you. They attack suddenly, so don’t get close.
4. If one attacks, hit it on the nose with anything you can find! This will make it open its mouth, and you might be able to escape.
5. Never feed these animals. It makes them more likely to approach people if they think they can easily get food.
