 Overview
This page details the American alligator (also known as the Mississippi alligator, or
Pike-headed alligator). These reptiles occupy freshwater swamps and marshes,
rivers, lakes and smaller bodies of water in the southeastern states of Alabama,
Arkansas, North & South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Oklahoma and Texas. They can also tolerate a reasonable degree of salinity
and are occasionally found in brackish water around mangrove swamps.
Even though the risk of a person being
injured or killed by an alligator is very low, it does exist. Though alligators normally avoid humans, they are
often attracted to pets and will vigorously defend their young as much as two
years after birth. These reptiles must be treated with caution. They
are imposingly strong, and if one gets you into the water, you'll very likely forfeit
your life.
Adult males larger than 4.5 m are rare today,
but these animals can reach 5 to 6 meters. Females reach lengths of
just under 3 meters. The large, well-built jaw has ~80 teeth, and is
used to capture, crush and dismember prey. However, alligators cannot
chew, so they swallow their food whole or in chunks.
A bite could result in serious infection as
the mouth is awash with bacteria. Regardless of how minor a bite
appears, consult a physician immediately.
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 Avoiding Alligator Encounters
Familiarize yourself with these animals
BEFORE going into their habitat. That includes knowing
their nesting habits.
Most
attacks occur while the victim is at least partially in the water.
Alligators six feet
or larger present the greatest hazard. Smaller alligators, four
feet or less, pose little threat. However, NEVER toy with the
smaller alligators. They may actually be babies or adolescents, and
the parents may be nearby.
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Keep a VERY wide
margin. Alligators can be surprisingly quick on land and are
capable of running short distances in addition to lunging at you with
explosive force.
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Work in pairs and
stay alert. Alternate responsibilities so one person is always
on the lookout. Most attack victims report they were unaware of
the alligator's presence until the last minute or more usually until the
animal had actually attacked.
Make sure someone knows
where you are going and when you plan to return. Carry
hand-held radios for communication with the aircraft or base camp.
Most attacks associated
with alligators occur when they have been fed by humans or when defending
their nests.
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Fighting Back
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You actually have a small say in
whether you live or die in an attack of this sort. The one thing all
survivors have in common is that they or their friends never gave up.
Granted, if you find yourself the victim
of such an attack there is little you can do. However, your chance of
survival is dependent on your bravery and immediate reaction, as well as
the alligator's grip, size, strength and determination.
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Alligators
cannot swallow underwater -- this may be to your advantage if attacked.
Nonetheless, they can hold their breath for up to an hour, so don't expect
to beat them at this game.
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Though the
muscles that close the jaw are VERY strong, those that open it are
surprisingly weak. You can prevent a gator from opening its mouth by
clasping its snout with your hands or pressing down on the top of its
head.
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Beware of the
"death roll." Alligators will try to drown and dismember
you by aggressively rolling over several times in rapid succession.
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Carry a large, strong
knife in a belt sheath -- one with which you may stab at the gator's
belly, neck, or eyes. Your rock hammer is also an excellent
weapon though it may be of little use underwater.
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