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cab67

(3,848 posts)
10. Not entirely true.
Sun May 17, 2026, 06:54 PM
Sunday

On land, a gator is only a threat if you come very close (i.e.about the length of the animal or less). They can lunge, but they really can't run.

They're ambush predators; if they know you can see them, they absolutely won't pursue you. They'll only attack if they think you're a threat. As long as you keep some space between you and an alligator on land, you're completely safe.

Also bear in mind that alligators prefer smaller prey than crocodiles. And that assumes they're looking for prey on land, which is almost never the case; they strongly prefer to ambush prey from the water.

Crocodiles can actually gallop. They''re the only reptiles that can do this. But alligators have never been seen galloping, and when crocodiles do it, it's always to escape a threat - not to catch prey. And they can't do it very far.

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Can they be identified as different individuals? efhmc Sunday #1
What do you mean? LetMyPeopleVote Sunday #4
For instance, if I saw this one last week, can I or will I be able to id it as the same specimen? efhmc Sunday #7
Often, yes. cab67 Sunday #13
I really prefer not to get close enough to check out their teeth. Thanks anyway. efhmc Sunday #16
binoculars are adequate for larger gators. cab67 Sunday #17
Gators can outrun a person easily The Blue Flower Sunday #2
Well that is scary. efhmc Sunday #8
Not entirely true. cab67 Sunday #10
Very interesting. Thank you. efhmc Sunday #12
for once... cab67 Sunday #14
I am in central (right wing) Texas but was in Houston for many years. I miss it so very much. I miss the diversity, the efhmc Sunday #15
Thank you for this information LetMyPeopleVote Monday #18
You want to keep your distance LetMyPeopleVote Monday #20
This is something of an urban legend. cab67 23 hrs ago #21
I agree that the real danger is if the lunges at you LetMyPeopleVote 21 hrs ago #23
This is true. cab67 20 hrs ago #24
It's gator breeding season, they're just out looking for a good time. sop Sunday #3
Back when my kids were in scouting, we camped at a park full of gators LetMyPeopleVote Sunday #5
Well, aren't we all but my idea of doing that is reading about other folk's doing the looking. efhmc Sunday #9
Is he big ENOUGH? Maybe needs to chow down on a Greg Abbott or Ken Paxton---don't ya think? hlthe2b Sunday #6
What to do? Norrrm Sunday #11
My daughter used to ride horses in Sienna - TBF Monday #19
This was on the local ABC station last night LetMyPeopleVote 21 hrs ago #22
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