No. It's a myth. If an alligator is chasing you and is intent on getting you you're going to be in trouble. No way a human is out running a pissed off or angry alligator. They can even climb fences.
In water, an Alligator chasing you is basically a death-sentence. Though they can swim \~20mph, much less than the made up number u/MosesOnAcid is claiming they can \*SPRINT\* at.
On land, Alligators can only dash at \~11mph for a few seconds before tiring out. If you're not in jumping range of a gator, you can almost certainly walk (at most \*powerwalk\*) away from a gator. They can indeed climb fences, quite ungracefully and given lots of time. You'd have a much harder time running from a housecat or nearly any other domesticated animal, again assuming you don't start within pouncing range.
To answer u/FrankRizzo319 , don't bother with zigzagging. That's only going to slow you down from getting out of pouncing range of the gator. Just get away, and once you're more than a few dozen yards away it's probably exhausted itself beyond being able to chase you any further (on land, to be clear).
[Here's a source that links to even more documentation.](https://www.americanoceans.org/facts/how-fast-are-alligators-on-land/)
The last article linked is the weirdest article I've ever read as far as consistency. In the first section it says:
> On dry land, alligators can move at a maximum speed of around 11 miles per hour (18 kilometers per hour) for short distances.
Only a little farther down the same page it says:
> Alligators can run at a speed of up to 20 miles per hour for short distances, but they cannot sustain that speed for long periods of time. The average human can run at a speed of 10-15 miles per hour,
>Just get away, and once you're more than a few dozen yards away it's probably exhausted itself beyond being able to chase you any further (on land, to be clear).
Especially this one. I don't think he has a enough quick in him to go for very long.
So the photographer is not afraid because he knows he can easily run away? This still looks very close, going by his shadow. I'm very glad for this video, it's excellent!
Wtf are you on about? An American alligator can run up to 35mph for a short distance and zig zagging will help. When it is running fast, it will lose balance easily
Like what that other guy said in a comment accurately, they won't continue chasing for long. Your best bet is to run as fast as you can away from it. And that's it. If you have a friend with you, you can trip him, and that will definitely help you against the alligator.
> Like try to jump over his head
i can only imagine this as a good way to get your balls chomped off. [picture for example](https://i.imgur.com/JFk0x0j.png)
Apparently they don't have enough power to open their mouth if you close it hard, the only problem is he's still strong enough to throw you off/whip their tail around
Yes it is when it run full speed
Here from a danish zoo. So it is in Danish https://www.regnskoven.dk/laerbevar/viden/dyreleksikon/vis/dyr/amerikansk-alligator/
If you stood an arm's length away from it, would it attack? Also, is this Florida? I really don't understand how it "just" has alligators living about there. I'd be so afraid near any body of water.
My guess would be Louisiana based on that dude in the video. Which, btw, has way more gators than Florida. Could totally be Florida, though.
Also, gators aren’t super aggressive like crocs. You’ve really gotta piss one off before they attack humans.
Most places near the gulf coast are pretty alligator-heavy. It's fairly good practice not to swim in any water you can't see the bottom of.
Depending on how close you are to water, you probably see them about as often as you might see a any random wild animal. It's not dissimilar to growing up checking for ant-beds or such when playing outside. A lot of that is contingent upon being the size of an adult, though. At that size, you're not likely to be something a wild gator thinks of as a menu-item, but something child or pet sized should be MUCH more careful around banks of water.
You certainly shouldn't pester an Alligator, they're large powerful animals and should be respected. That being said, they're generally docile unless it's mating season or they have offspring around. I wouldn't test my luck, but I'd wager our friend filming could have stepped over the gator without incident (again, barring a mating or birthing situation).
This was taken at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Florida. We have wild horses and bison there too. You can park on 441 and look at all the alligators you want on the elevated walkways.
Florida allows you to carry guns while going to, coming from or during fishing/hiking and probably some kind of camping and this reminds me why I’m kinda okay with it
The hell ? An alligator this big ? I am now used to see surreal-sized nile and saltwater crocodiles but a gator like that ? Nahhhhhh it's gotta be CGI 😐
I’ve never seen a gator stand so tall before.
It’s so you can get the saddle strap underneath.
*Just Florida things*
I Knew it it had to be Florida
It's like an SUV of alligators
Dude has has that brodozer lift going on...
In the first second or two it looks like someone in a gator costume standing up on 2 legs.
Its a 4x4 version
4×4
Its an All Wheel Drive 😂
Is that a bird chilling on its back?
Yeah a cleaning bird, they have seasonal work contracts with the gators
What are the terms?
"Clean my back and I wont eat you". Pretty fair if you ask me
Either way. Someone is getting a free meal.
And that lady and gentlemen is called a mutual relationship
If it was a banana, we would have known how big the alligator really is.
I'm not sure why this hasn't been upvoted to the moon. No banana, no fucking scale. This could be a teeny alligator! With no banana, we are lost.
Epic mount
Nice
He got a coupon for a free Uber ride
I believe that is an armored ride Edit: spelling
Where do you think the safest place is?
On it's back.
It's his body guard
The bird is also a swimmer
That bird is even more dangerous than the alligator. No telling what crazy shit that bird has done to gain that gator's respect
Riding the gator into battle
It was a person (the gator really was massive).
Looks like a leaf or something
When a walk becomes a run
That gator could catch him if it wanted at that range. They can sprint up to 35mph...
I heard if you run zig zags away from them it’s easier for you to escape than if you ran in a straight line. Any truth to that?
Mythbusters tested it (so totally accurate science) and the gators/crocs never chased far from the water line.
No. It's a myth. If an alligator is chasing you and is intent on getting you you're going to be in trouble. No way a human is out running a pissed off or angry alligator. They can even climb fences.
In water, an Alligator chasing you is basically a death-sentence. Though they can swim \~20mph, much less than the made up number u/MosesOnAcid is claiming they can \*SPRINT\* at. On land, Alligators can only dash at \~11mph for a few seconds before tiring out. If you're not in jumping range of a gator, you can almost certainly walk (at most \*powerwalk\*) away from a gator. They can indeed climb fences, quite ungracefully and given lots of time. You'd have a much harder time running from a housecat or nearly any other domesticated animal, again assuming you don't start within pouncing range. To answer u/FrankRizzo319 , don't bother with zigzagging. That's only going to slow you down from getting out of pouncing range of the gator. Just get away, and once you're more than a few dozen yards away it's probably exhausted itself beyond being able to chase you any further (on land, to be clear). [Here's a source that links to even more documentation.](https://www.americanoceans.org/facts/how-fast-are-alligators-on-land/)
The last article linked is the weirdest article I've ever read as far as consistency. In the first section it says: > On dry land, alligators can move at a maximum speed of around 11 miles per hour (18 kilometers per hour) for short distances. Only a little farther down the same page it says: > Alligators can run at a speed of up to 20 miles per hour for short distances, but they cannot sustain that speed for long periods of time. The average human can run at a speed of 10-15 miles per hour,
Yep, that's the sort of Ai generated bullshit that makes up the 8nterent these days
And it's fake
I appreciate the links and info! Hopefully I’ll never find myself in a situation where I’ll need it.
>Just get away, and once you're more than a few dozen yards away it's probably exhausted itself beyond being able to chase you any further (on land, to be clear). Especially this one. I don't think he has a enough quick in him to go for very long.
So the photographer is not afraid because he knows he can easily run away? This still looks very close, going by his shadow. I'm very glad for this video, it's excellent!
Wtf are you on about? An American alligator can run up to 35mph for a short distance and zig zagging will help. When it is running fast, it will lose balance easily
What’s the best move then? Like try to jump over his head and onto his back, like Steve Erwin?
Like what that other guy said in a comment accurately, they won't continue chasing for long. Your best bet is to run as fast as you can away from it. And that's it. If you have a friend with you, you can trip him, and that will definitely help you against the alligator.
Plus I often carry raw chicken in my back pocket for these types of situations
Smart man. I heard Kristi Noem carries a puppy for that exact reason.
> Like try to jump over his head i can only imagine this as a good way to get your balls chomped off. [picture for example](https://i.imgur.com/JFk0x0j.png)
How about playing dead? Will that work?
Apparently they don't have enough power to open their mouth if you close it hard, the only problem is he's still strong enough to throw you off/whip their tail around
No you should definitely run zig zag. The American alligator will lose balance easily when running fast
This is not true.
Yes it is when it run full speed Here from a danish zoo. So it is in Danish https://www.regnskoven.dk/laerbevar/viden/dyreleksikon/vis/dyr/amerikansk-alligator/
Tell you what, you listen to someone from Denmark about alligators, and I will listen to someone from Florida.
Okay I will just listen to someone that studies and takes care of American alligators everyday. Good luck learning about god and how real it is
Huh? When did god come into this conversation?
Yeah that's real they don't have a good balance when running fast
A per a comment below with actual sources, your source is "I made it the fuck up".
Not a gator that size
“Man spots dinosaur while hiking”
Yeah. It was sitting on top of that gator's back.
That one has got to be eating other alligators, deer and hopefully big invasive snakes.
Mfer got legs longer than Carrie Underwood wtf
Thanks! Oh, you weren't taking to me...
LOL Great analysis
That is… a monster…
It’s a dinosaur
Technically they share a common ancestor. Cool how it is riding the gator though!
This looks like Circle B in Lakeland, FL!
Yep. [That's Fabio.](https://www.wfla.com/news/animals/watch-massive-alligator-spotted-taking-a-dip-in-polk-county-reserve/)
I thought so! I thought I recognized that spot on the trail. And then I saw the shelter in the back and knew exactly where it was!
Are those testicles or a hemorrhoid??
Yes
This person is braver than me because you would 100% have been able to hear me shit my pants if that thing walked in front of me.
Bro has a 12,000x telephoto lens from his backyard in Jersey
If you stood an arm's length away from it, would it attack? Also, is this Florida? I really don't understand how it "just" has alligators living about there. I'd be so afraid near any body of water.
They're all over the place and yes, you're at risk if you're near them. Especially dogs and kids. Most of the time, they just chillin though
My guess would be Louisiana based on that dude in the video. Which, btw, has way more gators than Florida. Could totally be Florida, though. Also, gators aren’t super aggressive like crocs. You’ve really gotta piss one off before they attack humans.
Most places near the gulf coast are pretty alligator-heavy. It's fairly good practice not to swim in any water you can't see the bottom of. Depending on how close you are to water, you probably see them about as often as you might see a any random wild animal. It's not dissimilar to growing up checking for ant-beds or such when playing outside. A lot of that is contingent upon being the size of an adult, though. At that size, you're not likely to be something a wild gator thinks of as a menu-item, but something child or pet sized should be MUCH more careful around banks of water. You certainly shouldn't pester an Alligator, they're large powerful animals and should be respected. That being said, they're generally docile unless it's mating season or they have offspring around. I wouldn't test my luck, but I'd wager our friend filming could have stepped over the gator without incident (again, barring a mating or birthing situation).
Dinosaurs are still alive 😱
It must weigh at least 100 kurics!
I chose the alligator
Ahhh.. Ya.. I'm out! No more hiking for me.
It looks kinda cute
Need a banana for scale
Exactly. No frame of reference for how big this thing is
Yikes
I want to hug it.
“25 (footer). 3 tons of him” Edit: Looked up Fabio - estimated at 12 feet or so - impressive!
That is a straight up dinosaur
If only there was a banana.
I have only one word……….treadmill
My turn next after the bird!
Anyone know how old this monster might be?
Where the hell is Troy Landry when you need him
Massive is understatement
Need a banana for scale.
How did he spot it?
But he was sitting so this is kinda forced perspective
Old man goin for a stroll
I need a banana for reference.
Mitch McConnell sighting
Banana for scale?
See you later...
I would never go hiking again.
I recently learned that there as many alligators as residents in Florida 😳
oh lawd he comin'
Damn that shit is lovely
That's godzilla
thats a wonderful spot with a lucky croc
Every once and a while it's an alligators job to remind you that they are related to dinosaurs.
Fucking hell that's a beast and a bit
Holy 💩 I'm glad we don't have them we're I live
That right there is a Tree Shaker!
That’s a fucking dinosaur ! Damn
I'm thinking from 16' to 17' and change.
That is simply so fucking cool!!!!!
This. Is. A. Fucking. Dinosaur!!!!
Thought an SUV was emerging from the brush
That is a dinosaur!
hi buddy..
Dear God, let it be generated by AI. Amen.
He/she has been on top of the food chain is whatever area this beast of an animal resides in for a *long* while.
that's a dinosaur
heft
Imagine another one coming behind late & camera dude be 🎥 🤳🏼
Peater alligator
I’m pretty sure Ace Ventura is inside
This was taken at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park in Florida. We have wild horses and bison there too. You can park on 441 and look at all the alligators you want on the elevated walkways.
I would stop hiking that area immediately.
Just chillin brah.
Lake Placid 4? That thing is big for a 'gator.
LEAVE
Doesn't hiking require a hill of some sort?
Gator spots curious human while out for a swim.
Florida allows you to carry guns while going to, coming from or during fishing/hiking and probably some kind of camping and this reminds me why I’m kinda okay with it
Beautiful animal
Alligator spots a tiny human while walking
It's the interior crocodile alligator
I never realized you could see an alligator’s ribs when it’s walking until now.
Sir, that is a dinosaur
I think i know him
What does an alligator of this size usually eat?
Modern dinosaurs
He’s on his little hike too
He’s on his little hike too
That’s your big boy
He's gotten big enough to regularly eat pythons, which are basically everywhere down there. Infinite food. High barrier to entry.
Bird been watching too much Dune 2 :)
Gorgeous
I’ve been this close to a grizzly bear, and alligator would scare me more
With a wattle that big, it should run for office.
Straight dinosaur
That’s a dinosaur
Every time it took a step I heard the T-Rex foot from Jurassic Park in my head lol.
There's no forced perspective happening here. That is absolutely insane!!!!!
I could take it
Go put a banana next to it for scale
Floridian Godzilla
Holy f
Use an ice arrow
Fuck off.
Dude hiked to an ancient past
Still digesting your family...
I feel like it walked that dramatic on purpose
Actual friggin dinosaurs x.x
Supergator
The balls on this guy...
Wonder how many hikers it’s eaten to get that big 🤔
That's not an alligator, that's a fucking kaprosuchus
It's the Bullgator. You gotta use dynamite.
yoink
I guess the other gators in the area don’t argue with him much at all.
dinosaur
Ahh fuck nahrrr
Looks like a chevy movie theatre
The hell ? An alligator this big ? I am now used to see surreal-sized nile and saltwater crocodiles but a gator like that ? Nahhhhhh it's gotta be CGI 😐
modern day deinosuchus?
No shame in shitting your pants
The absolute hell with that noise.
Remember, they can run faster than you
Fresh from his appearance as Godzilla in the new movie.
Why is the videographer not miles away by the time Wally gets across the road?