Your Heart Will Skip a Beat When You See This Hungry Alligator Stalk a Man In Its Swamp

Somebody queue the Jaws music because what you’re about to see will have you steering clear of any body of water. It all starts with a couple of buddies who were enjoying a day on the water in Florida. 

With guns in tow, these gentlemen were duck hunting and had quite a successful afternoon. Spotted not far from their canoe you can see an alligator chomping on one of the ducks that were shot down. 

The hunters were already on their way but were walking toward their canoe stationed on the other side of the water. Unfortunately, the ferocious alligator had other plans and begins stalking the men. 

Alligators have keen hearing, sight, and smell. They are masters at silently following their prey. Alligators are known to live in Florida, and locals frequently have encounters with the reptiles close to their houses, golf courses, or roadways. Attacks on humans are still uncommon, especially fatal ones.

The hunter smacks the surface of the water with his gun to warn the alligator to back off. The ancient apex predator doesn’t listen and continues to follow the man closely. In hopes of truly scaring the creature off, the gun cocks and the hunter shoots a shot straight toward the gator! 

This time, the reptile gets the message and stops in its tracks. 

Alligator Behavior

The lizard-like shape and thick skin are made of closely spaced, overlapping bone plates that define alligators. While young, the American alligator has yellow bands down its back; by adulthood, it is often brownish. Though their normal height is between six and 12 feet, these creatures have been reported to get as long as 19 feet. 

Adults of average size can submerge for more than an hour without breathing. Their bodies slither in a snake-like manner as they swim, and their muscular, oar-like tails, which are also lethal weapons, propel them forward with strong strokes.

Just the alligator’s eyes, ears, and nostrils remain above the water’s surface while it floats. Certain organs, they have remarkable protective characteristics. Their nostrils and ears may be concealed by folds of skin, and their eyes may be hidden by semitransparent membranes.

Alligators snare aquatic creatures with their jaws. They use their long, strong tails to force unaware prey into the water so they may catch land animals. Creatures that are too big to be devoured whole are either hacked to bits or drowned and left to decompose in underground tunnels. 

These tunnels, which are excavated at or near the water’s edge, can be rather long and lead to a den or chamber towards the end. In these dens, alligators spend the winter months hibernating. 

Don’t forget to watch the wild compilation of close calls with crocodiles and alligators below! 

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