Alligators in the News

Ever since I lived in Florida, I have been fascinated by the insane things people do around alligators.

First up, Palm Harbor, Florida. Alligator attack: Woman taken to hospital after gator bite in Palm Harbor.

She was walking her dog on a leash. The next moment, she was attacked by an alligator.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirms a 43-year-old woman was bitten by the gator along a small lake in a Palm Harbor neighborhood. It happened on Pine Ridge Boulevard near Commercial Drive.

Pro tip: Don't walk your dog near a lake in Florida. Also keep your kids away from the lakes.

"They prefer freshwater lakes and slow-moving rivers and their associated wetlands, but they also can be found in brackish water habitats," the [Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] spokesperson said. "Anywhere there is standing water, an alligator might be found."

Also, pay attention, because they can turn up in the most unlikely places. Alligator in Florida Found Hanging Out at a Post Office After It Snuck in Overnight.

Imagine going to mail a package at your local post office and seeing an alligator just chillin’ there. It happened to a patron at a location in Spring Hill, Florida.

Stay aware.

And don't do stupid stuff. Man looking for shark teeth in a Florida river survives an alligator bite to his head.

A diver searching for prehistoric shark teeth in Florida's Myakka River is recovering after an alligator bit him on the back of his head.

Jeffrey Heim suffered a skull fracture in the attack, which happened last Sunday in Sarasota County. He needed 34 staples to close the wound. He also suffered puncture wounds on his hand from an alligator bite.

He is lucky to be alive.

SiGraybeard's advice from a couple of years ago is still good.

When in doubt, remember rule #1. [Rule 1 = The alligator has the right of way.] And remember two things. First, a gator can sprint faster than you can run for short distances. They're ambush-style predators and not likely to just attack you on land. If they're hungry, you're close and not aware, I don't rule it out. Second, the gators have learned how to climb fences.