What to do if alligator grabs you?

"If an alligator bites you, the best thing to do is fight back," the FWC says, "providing as much noise and resistance as possible. Hitting or kicking the alligator or poking it in its eyes may cause it to release its grip. When alligators seize prey they cannot easily overpower, they will often let go and retreat."

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How do you treat an alligator bite?

Alligators and crocodiles

Wounds should be irrigated and debrided; then delayed primary closure can be done or the wounds allowed to heal by secondary intention. Optimal antibiotic coverage may include trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, a fluoroquinolone, a 3rd-generation cephalosporin, an aminoglycoside, or a combination.

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How fast does an alligator run?

Sure, they may like to conserve energy, but if they have to pick up the pace, watch out! Alligators can reach speeds of up to 35 mph on land (though they are known to tire quickly).

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Are crocodiles more aggressive than alligators?

Typically, crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators, which makes crocodiles more dangerous than alligators. Alligators are opportunistic feeders, meaning that they're not likely to chase you down unless they're provoked. However, that certainly doesn't mean that you should swim with them.

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Could a human beat a crocodile?

A crocodile would win a fight against an unarmed human.

An average crocodile that weighs 700 pounds and measures over 10 feet long is going to be too powerful for a human to overcome.

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How To Survive An Alligator Attack

18 related questions found

Can you outrun a crocodile?

But most large crocs can run between 15 to 22 mph (24-35 km/h). Can a human outrun a crocodile? In most cases, yes. In fact, there are limited instances where a crocodile would ever chase a human.

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Is A alligator Faster Than A crocodile?

Crocodiles: Which is Stronger? Of the two reptiles, the crocodile would win in a face to face combat. Although the alligator is faster, here are the reasons why the crocodile would win: Crocodiles are usually bigger and heavier.

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What's the bite force of a alligator?

Animal Species

Alligators have the strongest bite force measured; 2000 pounds per square inch. For comparison, lions bite with 600 pounds of pressure and humans have 120 pounds of pressure per square inch!

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Can alligators climb stairs?

Rumor has it that cows have trouble going down the stairs. Unfortunately, it appears alligators have no problem navigating up a flight of steps.

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How do you escape a chased alligator?

If you can escape on land, run away in a straight line. Experts debunk the advice to zig-zag. Gators can move really fast on land, but only in short bursts and distances before they tire out. Try to cause a gag reflex by jamming any objects you can reach into the back of the alligator's mouth.

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Can you close a crocodile mouth shut?

The crocodile jaw has very little opening strength, though; a crocodile's mouth can be held shut with just a rubber band. In addition to their strong jaws, crocodiles have very keen hearing.

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Can you tranquilize a crocodile?

Valium is an effective agent for calming very large crocodiles in traps during removal operations. Its effect is short-lived, typically lasting 2-3 hours.

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How do you open an alligator mouth?

Don't try to pry the jaws open. The alligator is stronger. Stick your arm deeper into the mouth and press the palatal valve in the back of the throat to trigger the opening of the jaws.

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How painful is a crocodile bite?

A crocodile's jaw crushes down on its victim with 3,700 pounds per square inch of force. That's more than three-and-a-half times the bite of a lion and 25 times that of a human.

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Why do alligators bite so hard?

Growing their largest jaw muscle to lie alongside the neck turns out to be effective for both camouflage and forceful biting simultaneously. For their size, big alligators and crocodiles have low-profile heads and bodies. They are surprisingly stealthy, “like animal submarines.

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Are there alligators in Europe?

Alligator Bay prides itself on having the largest population of gators in Europe. It's home to 150 alligators and crocodiles. Visitors to the zoo love to see its albino gators and tortoise farm.

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Why are crocodiles so aggressive?

Brien said aggression in saltwater crocodiles is “hardwired from hatching” but there is no clear explanation why the species is so short-tempered. One theory is that competition with other crocodiles, combined with its sheer size, has instilled the aggression.

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Can a human swim faster than a crocodile?

No. The fastest recorded speed of humans while swimming is around 143 meters per minute. An alligator can do the same distance at 536 meters per minute.

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What should you never do at a crocodile?

Never provoke, harass or interfere with crocodiles, even small ones. Never feed crocodiles — it is illegal and dangerous. Be extra vigilant around water at night and during the breeding season from September to April. Avoid approaching the edge of the water and don't paddle or wade at the edge of the water.

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Can you swim with crocodiles?

Crocodiles are wild animals, and we are not – and nor do we want to be – in control of their actions. However when these sort of interactions are executed in a safe and regulated manner without causing distress to the crocodiles, then yes it's safe.

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What animal can beat a crocodile?

Big cats like leopards and panthers sometimes kill and eat these big reptiles. Large snakes can also do a lot of damage to alligators and crocodiles.

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