See This Giant Alligator Chase a Fisherman Down a Trail From the Waterside

Did you know that tarpon fishing could be a dangerous sport? It is when an alligator gets involved! The man in this clip was enjoying a quiet day’s fishing at some tropical wetlands in Florida. With a fish on the line, he starts to wind the spool reel and that’s when he spots the gator. The reptile raises its head above the water and follows the fish – which unfortunately also leads it straight to the man. He runs back into the vegetation and even though the gator initially follows him, it eventually gives up. Scroll down to see the full footage of the tussle between a human and a gator over a fish!

Do Alligators Normally Eat Fish?

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has a varied diet that certainly includes fish. They are a generalist carnivore and studies of their diet have shown that it is made up of invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Birds and fish make up anything from 0 to 11 percent of their diet.

Alligators eat largemouth bass and spotted gar but have also been spotted feasting on water moccasins, common moorhens, and even feral hogs. They will also eat carrion if their primary food sources are not available. They have even been found with bottle caps in their stomach and they often eat rock. The stones help to mash up the food in their stomachs.

Do Alligators Attack People?

It is rare for alligators to attack humans but it can happen. There are an average of six fatal attacks every year in the United States. Most attacks take place when the animal feels threatened or is provoked. Attacks are also more likely if humans invade the alligator’s territory.

In Florida where this clip was filmed, there had been 401 registered bites between 1948 and 2019, and 25 of these were fatal. Alligators have a bite force of over 2000 psi so if they do decide to attack, they can do a lot of damage!

How to Avoid Alligator Attacks

There are plenty of things that you can do to significantly reduce the risk of getting hurt by an alligator. You can start by not entering waters where they are known to reside. This is also very important for children and pets. Entering water in the dark is even more risky because this is when the alligators are more active and more difficult to spot.

If the alligator attacks you, be loud and fight back. Aim for their eyes as this is the most sensitive part!

Watch the Incredible Footage Below

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Mix Tape/Shutterstock.com