Mighty Alligator Breaks Through Thick Metal Fence in Striking Display of Strength and Determination

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Welcome to the sun-soaked wetlands of Florida, the prime stomping grounds of the American alligator. These robust reptiles are a defining feature of the Floridian landscape, from the sprawling Everglades to marshy lakes and rivers.

Florida’s alligators are impressive creatures, known for their armored bodies, powerful jaws, and keen survival instincts. They can grow up to 15 feet long, making them one of the largest predators in North America. However, gators are more than just apex predators. They’re ecosystem engineers, shaping their watery habitats in ways that benefit countless other species. By digging “gator holes” during the dry season, they create vital water reservoirs for a variety of plants and animals.

Despite their fearsome reputation, Florida’s alligators are as strong as they are smart. As we can see in the video below, their sheer brute force simply shrugs off obstacles in their way. Read on to find out more background on this sometimes misunderstood icon of the southeastern United States.

Are Alligators Dangerous?

The intimidating alligator may seem slow or passive at first. Like any large predator though, they can be dangerous if they feel threatened or if they associate humans with food. For those reasons, it’s always best to avoid bothering or feeding them, despite any temptation to do so – this is best for both you and the alligators.

Although the person in the below clip lent a helping hand to a gator in need, it was still a dangerous move! Always remember that gators may definitely defend themselves if they feel cornered or if their offspring are threatened. However, unprovoked alligator attacks on humans are relatively rare.

Do Alligators Live in Florida?

Native to the region, alligators do indeed live in Florida. In fact, they have been found in every area of the state – basically, anywhere there’s water, you’re more than likely to find alligators. According to yearly research, approximately 1.3 million of these reptiles inhabit Florida. This makes it the second-most alligator-populated U.S. state, only being outranked by Louisiana (home to over 2 million!).

There are, of course, concentrated areas where gators prefer to hang out. For example, the Floridian Okeechobee and Orange lakes have notorious reputations for having so many of these critters, that they’re called “infested“!

Is It Normal for Alligators to Bust Through Barriers?

While it’s always amazing to witness a wild animal doing something extraordinary, that doesn’t mean it’s typical. In this case, an alligator was witnessed pushing between the bars of a metal fence. There are other videos where alligators have been captured scaling chain link fences. Alligators are strong, and they do have some climbing ability, given they are similar to other reptiles like lizards, who have no problem scaling fences, trees, or walls.

However, alligators don’t typically do this. They prefer sticking to their habitats, be it swamps, lakes, or other waterways. A stray alligator wandering about on land looking for a meal may see a fence as an obstacle between it and prey or a place it wants to go and attempt to take that barrier on. But it’s not an everyday occurrence.