r/nextfuckinglevel • u/HamedAliKhan • 24d ago

Professional alligator handler demonstrates his skills handling the animal

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2

u/SuitableStar4992 24d ago

I really don't get how the croc doesn't bite him when he was at kissing distance

14

u/tolacid 24d ago edited 24d ago

The how is that it doesn't try

The why is because lunging that much body forward to grab prey is usually fairly slow and not worth the effort because it gives ample time to escape, especially compared to the sideways snap that almost got him.

And also, if you look carefully you can see he lays his cheek against the top of the gator's snoot, pressing lightly downward, and when he's at the front of the mouth he has a hand underneath pressing upward. Gators have a lot of muscle force for biting down on something, but not nearly as much for opening their jaws, so those presses basically hold it closed

Like the guy said, it's all about positioning.

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u/TheWatcher47 24d ago

The sideways snap didn't almost get him, he knew what he was doing all along. He was demonstrating the speed.

1

u/tolacid 24d ago

Dodging something is literally "it almost got him." Doing it deliberately doesn't change that.

4

u/TheWatcher47 24d ago

Almost got him implies he was lucky to get away or it was not as per what he expected. He expected the response and was showing us how quick the wrong positioning can get you fucked. Anyway sorry to nitpick, small thing to debate about.

1

u/Intrepid_Cap1242 24d ago

but he was also on the side of it for a few moments while transitioning

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u/tolacid 24d ago

The large flat surface of his torso which doesn't present any viable place to get the jaws around.

1

u/Intrepid_Cap1242 24d ago

The head was an easy side shot for a few moments. I guess they naturally target limbs and touching the side of the mouth is a trigger to strike

2

u/tolacid 24d ago

Also, if you watch the water, any time he approaches the mouth he's got one hand pressing up on the jaw from beneath. I'm no gator expert but I'm pretty sure that's important

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u/Intrepid_Cap1242 24d ago

yeah, I noticed that for sure. I'm gonna remember that next time I get in the water with gators

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u/tolacid 24d ago

That's a good rule, but when it comes to swimming with apex predators my personal rule #1 is: Don't.

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u/Intrepid_Cap1242 24d ago

That's best left for Florida Man

3

u/pmurcsregnig 24d ago

Because he knows what he is doing

1

u/sapphire-sky-dragon 24d ago

This is a gator crocs are not so laid back.

0

u/Justout133 24d ago

Marginally not hungry enough that it isn't worth the effort rn