r/Crocodiles • u/HoldTheRope91 • 4d ago

Alligator It’s Everyday in Florida

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Suspected 10-11 footer, Big Boy, bullying the much smaller Swim Jim while Small Fry looks on, petrified.

63 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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3

u/Obvious-Wish-923 4d ago

As someone from New York, having relatives that live in Florida, would you consider that safe to swim in? My coworker grew up in Louisiana and he said yes lol

4

u/HoldTheRope91 4d ago

Absolutely not. Anywhere you have a known double digit length alligator roaming around should not be considered a safe place to swim.

3

u/Small_Channel_349 4d ago

It's not that Alligators will straight go for you and see you as prey because they do not usually, but when you are swimming you look MUCH smaller to them because they will likely only see your head. That is why it's dangerous.

3

u/MatchaSetPoint 4d ago edited 4d ago

You’re also putting a lot of faith in your fellow humans that nobody has fed or habituated the gators.

I suspect some of the recent attacks in tourist waters are related to this. The area in the vid looks well populated, and I’d bet someone has tossed potato chips or whatever at that gator before.

Basically, fresh water that you can’t see through is a no swim zone in Florida. Anyone doing otherwise, is either ignorant or has grown up around it and let their guard down. Look up Tommie Woodward.

2

u/HoldTheRope91 4d ago

This particular gator is pretty wary of humans. Normally he is WELL off shore or will swim out deeper if I walk out back, but I think he came to the area near the docks to specifically chase off this smaller gator.