Watch This Menacing Alligator Sneak Up on a Paddleboarder and Refuse to Back Down

Fishing can be a relaxing experience filled with moments of excitement when your line tenses up. How a paddleboarder can casually fish in an alligator-infested river is beyond me, however. Watch how this man with nerves of steel handles an aggressive gator.

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Do Alligators Attack Humans?

Although alligators can easily overpower humans, they do not typically attack them. In fact, they’re naturally frightened by humans and retreat if they encounter them. They don’t consider them prey; however, in some situations, alligators may attack.  

Deaths due to alligators are even more rare but serious injuries are possible if a gator decides to attack. They can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour on land, which makes them that much more unnerving. Ideally, humans should retreat if they spot an alligator to prevent even a rare occurrence from happening.

How to Escape an Alligator Attack

If you happen to spot an alligator, the best bet is to keep your distance. They’re unlikely to attack and you should remain at least 30 feet from one if you spot it. If an alligator decides to chase, run in a straight line away from it. If it attacks, poke at the sensitive parts of its body, including its eyes. Kick and punch its head and if it tries to reposition you after grabbing hold, that short opening is a chance for escape.

Fishing Day Goes Awry

This narrated video starts off with a view of a man fishing out on a river in Florida. The narrator explains that what was a ‘normal’ alligator encounter took a turn for the worse. The man spent the first half of the day successfully catching a few fish. He’s minding his own business, holding onto his fishing pole when an alligator comes into view in the water on his right.

You can see how he twitches in fear as he uses some swear words followed up by “alligator.” He acknowledges the fear he felt and tells the gator to get out of there. The gator does the opposite. The man quickly puts his fishing pole down on his paddleboard and picks up his paddle, ready to defend himself.

The man doesn’t hesitate to smack it on top of the head in one swift motion. The gator doesn’t back down. The man says, “You are ready to fight!” and proceeds to smack it again. He laughs as he does this as if amused by the enormous, clearly aggressive gator. He tries to paddle away but it’s a standoff at this point. The gator isn’t budging. Interestingly enough, the man shows more concern for his paddleboard than for himself. Watch the video to see what he says just before the gator disappears underwater.

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