Bitten by an Alligator? 300 Years of Research Show That It’s Your Own Fault

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is present in 10 U.S. Southern Atlantic and Gulf Coast states*, inhabiting freshwater wetlands including marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers, and swamps. Though alligators have a reputation for being aggressive, blood-thirsty carnivores with a penchant for human flesh, it simply isn’t true. The reality is that these enormous reptiles are rather shy and would prefer to keep human interactions to a minimum. As a result, alligator attacks on humans are rare, with an average of seven per year. So, what causes alligators to attack humans? The University of Florida in Gainesville, in partnership with Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, recently undertook a study to ascertain why alligators attack humans. The research determined that human behavior is the cause of alligator attacks on humans 96% of the time. Continue reading to learn what the study discovered about human behavior and its role in alligator attacks.

Lack of Awareness

When I asked how one can determine if there is an alligator in the water, my Louisiana kinfolk responded, “If the water is wet, there’s a gator in it.” My kin don’t lack awareness, and none have ever suffered an alligator bite. The University of Florida/Centre College study, which analyzed documented alligator/human encounters between 1734-2021, discovered that human inattention plays a key role in 96% of alligator attacks. Nearly 300 years of evidence exonerate the alligator from responsibility in 9.6/10 attacks.

Like sharks and bears, wild animals with reputations for aggressive behavior, alligators aren’t monsters actively seeking human prey. “Alligators are not aggressive eating machines,” says Dr. Frank J. Mazzotti, professor of wildlife ecology at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) and an author of the study. “Most bites by alligators are preventable if people are aware of their surroundings and realize that any body of water could have an alligator in it.”

Being aware of your surroundings is paramount to remaining safe, especially where alligators are known to be present. This is particularly true during mating season when gators become more active. Beginning in April and lasting through June, breeding time can increase the risk of attack. During the courtship stage in April, males may become more aggressive while seeking a mate. Later in the season, females who are protecting a clutch of eggs may appear antagonistic. Regardless of the time of year, remaining vigilant is the best way to avoid being bitten by an alligator.

Risky Business

Another principal component of alligator attacks on humans is risky human behavior. The study ranked behaviors that preceded alligator encounters from no-risk to high-risk. Walking on a paved path or being distant from a body of water was considered a no-risk behavior. Swimming where alligators might be present, but haven’t been sighted, was ranked as a moderate risk. Intentionally interacting with or otherwise provoking an alligator, swimming in waters in which alligators are conspicuously present, or being compromised by recreational drugs and/or alcohol were ranked as high-risk behaviors.

The study concluded that most alligator bites result from moderate-risk behaviors, such as wading or swimming in bodies of water known to harbor gators. However, the study further determined that the majority of fatal alligator attacks resulted from high-risk behaviors.

Of the 30 fatal alligator encounters in the 21st century thus far, the lion’s share are attributable to wrong place/wrong time scenarios, with many involving elders walking small dogs near retention ponds. Alligators, timid as they may be, are apex predators who could easily mistake a small dog for prey, heightening the chance of an encounter. Small dogs also tend to be vocal. Their vocalizations, especially when accompanied by motion, like walking, could be perceived as threatening to a startled gator. Walking small pets during the daytime when alligators are basking rather than feeding could potentially save a life. Or two.

The sad reality is that alligators that have been identified as having attacked a human are frequently euthanized. These gentle giants are paying for human inattention and hijinks with their lives.

Avoiding Alligators

In areas where alligators are present or may be present, paying attention is key to avoiding unpleasant alligator interactions. Best practice dictates avoiding recreational water activities between dusk and dawn when gators are most active.

Never feed an alligator. Feeding alligators increases the risk of attacks, as it reduces their fear of humans, while creating an association between humans and food. Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and South Carolina have passed legislation that prohibits the feeding of alligators, though each state’s regulations vary.

If you find yourself in a situation in which you unexpectedly encounter an alligator on land, calmly, silently, and slowly back away. Avoid making sudden or jerky movements or loud noises, which could frighten or startle the alligator. Remember, the alligator doesn’t want to tangle with you and won’t unless it feels threatened.

The study suggests that increasing awareness through community education and innovative marketing campaigns could reduce the number of alligator attacks, reducing the need to euthanize innocent alligators.

*Alligators are found in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.