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Home » Consumer Information » Occupational Safety » Animal Control

Alligators

Although alligators fear humans and try to avoid them, they can kill a person. Alligator bites are serious injuries that can result in infection or the amputation of a limb, and an alligator's tail is heavy and strong enough to knock a person down and break bones. Although alligators rarely kill, they claimed 12 lives between 2001 and 2007, so people should leave them alone and never feed them, as alligators that associate people with food can become a dangerous problem.

Reasons why an alligator might attack include:

  • Defense – Males are extremely territorial and females are highly protective of their nests and young.
  • Hunger – Although not their preferred food, alligators will eat humans.
  • Dour disposition – Just like people, there are alligators that are just plain mean that will attack even without provocation.

Precautions that can be taken to avoid an alligator attack include:

  • Staying out of streams, lakes, ponds or in the sea near a river mouth in areas where alligators are found.
  • Don't leave trash around or collect water from the same spot every day.
  • Don't dangle legs and arms in the water.
  • Only swim in areas posted as safe.
  • If you see an alligator, keep a minimum of 30 feet away.
  • If you hear crunching or hissing sounds, leave the area immediately.
  • Stay away from the edge of the water in alligator zones, as they can propel themselves out of the water a great speeds.
  • If you come across alligator babies, leave the area immediately.

If an alligator attacks, the victim should run away in a straight line. Alligators can only run about 30 feet before having to rest. However, they can swim for hours on end. If the alligator is successful in biting its victim, trying to pry open the animal's jaws is a futile endeavor. Instead victims can either play dead so that the alligator will stop shaking them and leave them alone or hit the alligator repeatedly on its nose, poke it in the eyes and scream until it lets go.