Alligator Attacks

Alligators are one of the few nonvenomous reptiles, which can cause serious injury or death in humans. Since the modern sprawl of the suburbs and marketing to spread to previously untouched areas, the amount of contact between alligators and people will continue to grow. Occurred from 1948 to 2004 an estimated 376 injuries have by alligators. Have occurred since the 1970s, at least 25 deaths, with more and more deaths occur per decade.

Two types of alligators arenative to the United States. The American Alligator is the more common of the two species, and originated only on the southern tip of Florida. The reptiles can also in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, found Mississippi, and Texas. Occasional observations occur in other states, although the northern area, which is limited by cold temperatures.

Different types of activities are often the source of the interactions in gator attacks on humans.The attempt to capture the animal represents 17.4% of the attacks. Swimming and fishing related attacks are also common intersections of the reptiles and humans. In addition, retrieving golf balls composed about 10% of violent confrontations. Walking, running, water and gardening in the vicinity of banks is another location of the attacks, caused by about 7% of the attacks by this type of activity.

In general, the alligator is not an aggressive animal to humans. However, certain alligators canare becoming more violent. Women guarding nests and food habit alligators can be very dangerous for humans. In addition, people are invading the home of animals such as retrieving a lost golf ball with a risk of a violent interaction.

Golf attacks are common in Florida because of the prevalence of American alligators. A man was recently attacked by a 10 feet, 11 inches are looking at Lake Venice Golf Club trial in an attempt to have his ball in a pond at the sixthHole. Although a sign was placed in the vicinity, that said: "Beware of Alligator", the man reached into the pond to rescue his ball. A one-eyed alligator latched on to his forearm and pulled the man into the water. Luckily, another man nearby and was able to beat out of the gator to assist.