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Unprovoked alligator attacks are almost unheard of. There are often a series of events built up to the attack that are likely avoidable. And most of the time, it’s humans at blame, not the gator. We often think of feeding alligators as a ‘harmless’ act, but it’s just the very opposite. It desensitizes them from humans and sees them as a source of food rather than a fearsome threat. Or maybe we approach a momma’s nesting site a little bit too close for comfort. Here’s some ways to avoid upsetting a gator; and remember you’re entering their territory, not the other way around. A common sense thought: Almost any canal or lake in an area where gators are native.. Could contain a gator! So try & avoid swimming in them, and your chances of attack are slim to nothing. Be aware! Gators are stealthy predators, so look out for the key signs: Eyes peering out of the water, even their snouts; or the little wake marks after they go under! And please, please, please, avoid dangling your feet over water. If you see a gator, leave! Chances are it sees you too. Unless it’s really close, I would suggest maintaining the same distance at all times.  Don’t feed alligators! Along with the facts mentioned above, they’re quick as lightning if they catch a whiff of good food. Yes, this does (especially) include marshmallows.  Clearly, don’t provoke them. Whether it’s trying to touch them with your hands, throwing rocks at them, or poking them with sticks.. You’re just begging to be attacked. Don’t be at bodies of water during sunset or sunrise. This is key hunting time for gators, and you’re not excluded from the menu. Even if it’s rare to be killed by a gator, we can’t forget they are apex predators! Know the time for mating season. Typically it’s between May and June, and you don’t wanna be near a male gator when all they can think about is food and sex. And if you are attacked.. Try and get at their eyes, jam your fingers in their nose, or hammer their snout.. Honestly, I’ve never done this personally so I don’t know how it works.. Hopefully, you never have to find out. Do not let the gator bring you to the water! This is where they’re especially talented at death rolls and drowning prey, which is the last thing  you want to happen. If only bitten, seek medical attention. Gator bites are infamous for getting  infected.  Photo credit: Michael-Ann 
For animal enthusiasts, this is a little bit of common sense.. But it’s all too common for people to mix up alligators (family Alligatoridae) and crocodiles (family Crocodylidae). Although they both belong to the order Crocodilia, alligators and crocodiles have their own unique characteristics. For instance, alligators have rounded and wide U-shaped snouts, whereas crocodiles have more pointed V-shaped snouts. Also, crocs have teeth that protrude from the jaw, whether open or closed. Alligators have some pretty, pearly whites that are easily hidden with a closed mouth. A generalization made is that crocodiles have special glands in their tongue to get rid of salt, allowing them to live in saltier locations. This may not always prove to be true, like with the freshwater croc that Australia knows so well, and other possible exceptions with the 23 species of crocodiles. Alligators have a less productive gland, so the two species of alligator stick to freshwater habitats. If worst comes to worst and you can’t identify the large reptile in front of you, refer to it as a crocodilian. This is a term that not only accounts for alligators and crocodiles, but also the lesser known gharial.
This bad boy is one of only two known alligator species; The Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) is smaller than it’s relative the American Alligator, growing an average of 1.5 m (5 ft). They’re native to China, but critically endangered. It’s predicted there’s less than 200 wild individuals; and only 50 of them are old enough to mate! Scientists believe the decline in population is due to not only their habitat being turned into rice patties, but the poisoning of rats which these reptiles will then consume.  So how do you tell the Chinese Alligator from the American Alligator, or even from Crocodiles? Unlike the American Alligator, the Chinese Alligator is fully armored, which is a feature that has otherwise only been seen in a few crocodiles. If you see what you presume is a crocodile, try and think again! If the snout is short and blunt, it’s more likely to be an alligator. If the snout is more tapered and toothy looking, even with the mouth closed, chances are it’s a crocodile.  Photo credit: Jon Inghram
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