The Alligator Has the Right of Way

Tourists. Some are sensible; some are not. Florida alligator takes woman's shoe after she provoked him: 'Serves her right' | FOX 35 Orlando

A Florida alligator got some not-so-subtle revenge against a woman who threw her shoes at it – by taking one of them with him into the water.

There is video provided by a woman from the United Kingdom, on vacation in Florida. She seems shocked to see an alligator, but has the sense to stay away. Another group has less sense, and a woman throws her shoes at the gator. She loses one.

Authorities estimate that there are 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Stay alert. If you want to go swimming, find a nice clean pool, and stay out of the lakes. Be careful swimming! 20 most alligator-infested lakes in Florida

Over the last 10 years, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year that are serious enough to require professional medical treatment, according to the FWC.

While it is unusual for gators to attack people, one did kill a small child at a Disney resort several years ago

Lane Graves, 2, was grabbed by an alligator while playing in the water at the Seven Seas Lagoon at Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Orlando in 2016.

An 85-year-old woman was killed in 2023. Pets are more likely to be targeted.

That article ends with a list of 20 lakes, and other bodies of water, and the estimated alligator population.

SiGraybeard's advice from a few years back 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.

If you are near fresh, or brackish water in Florida, there are gators around. If you're near salt water, there are probably sharks in that water, and there may be American Crocodiles, if you are in the extreme southern part of the mainland.

The original incident at the top took place in Kissimmee, Florida, which is just south of Orlando. It is a popular place for tourists to stay when visiting The Mouse™ because there are homes and condos available for rent like hotels. Better than Airbnb because most of them have professional management companies to handle the maintenance, and cleaning.

I wanted to call this Peak Florida, but these are definitely tourists.