A solo alligator in a viral video shows just what can happen if you get too close to his territory. It’s common sense to not get close to a gator, even if you’re on a boat. Unfortunately, one group of tourists saw what happened when people don’t listen. Unless provoked or made to feel intimidated in some way, alligators are often not found to be aggressive animals. The desire for humans to reside on or close to lakes, canals, etc. is a major contributing factor to alligator strikes in relation to human population expansion. Unintentional alligator bites have grown in frequency, without a doubt. When large construction vehicles and buildings appear in the area where alligators once lived, they become territorial. The alligators will relocate, but given their territorial nature, they won’t travel very far. Alligators do bite, and they will. They react instinctively, and if people feed them, they will lose their fear of people and eventually begin to associate people with food, which could result in an attack. An alligator is relaxing in the sun when a tour boat pulls as closely as possible next to the animal. It doesn’t take long to notice that the gator isn’t happy about the situation. He starts to back away before charging forward straight onto the boat!
A Moment of Terror
Can you imagine sitting front row on this vessel only to have a rogue alligator run just inches from you? I can’t imagine how terrifying that would feel. As the wild animal got on the boat, he quickly made his way across and into the water. Many comments on the video mention the creature likely felt cornered and shimmying across the boat is the only way he could escape. One person says, “Very irresponsible of the captain to put them in harm’s way, I’m from Florida and there are alligators everywhere. Respect them.” Another person mentions how lucky the people onboard are, “An alligator’s only escape route from the bank is into water. You approach him in his home and block his only escape. You’re lucky he went flight instead of fight.” Although alligators cannot walk backward while lying on their bellies, they can walk backward when using the “high walk,” which is the most popular style of mobility for alligators on land. An alligator’s entire body and most of its tail are elevated off the ground when it is high walking. Thankfully, this gator just wanted to get out of the situation and as far away from this group of tourists as possible. Stay on the edge of your seat as your watch the terrifying footage below.
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