The study finds 96% of Gator bites result from risky human behavior

As for Gator bites, it turns out that we are the problem (This is us). Recent studies have found that the bigger part of the incidents with an alligator with violence in the United States has been provoked by “risky human behavior”.

Scientists at the University of Florida and Center College in Kentucky conducted the study analyzed by recorded human bites from American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) Dating from the 18th century. Almost all the time, the meetings were preceded by people who do not pay attention or take unscrupulous risks, such as swimming in waters, clearly inhabited by fierce reptiles. The findings show that most Gator bites are preventable, the authors say.

Researchers were inspired to view the nature of Gator bites from another reptiles, usually –and incorrectly– Black for attacking people seamlessly: snakes.

“I was wondering if crocodiles had an unjustified reputation of attacks in the same way as the snakes do,” says Mark Teshera, a leading author of the study and a professor of biology at Center College, at a statement from the University of Florida.

Teshera and his colleagues started searching through the Crocbite database (now located on Crocattack.org) that has collected data on recorded attacks by alligator and crocodile around the world. To track other documented incidents, they searched online in academic literature and also reached out to state fish and wildlife agencies. In total, they analyzed 270 Gator bite incidents in 11 states, registered between 1734 and 2021, 44 of which are fatal.

The researchers then categorized the behavior in which people participated just before the bite at the level of risk. In 96% of the incidents, the bites happened only after the person had taken on some “risky human behavior”, approximately half involved in a moderate level of risk. These risks include people who do not carefully monitor their children, people ignore published signs that warn of gators in the water, or “contact while they are disadvantaged.” Gates barely bites someone without provocation, with someone just walking along the way, and these bites tend to cause less severe injuries (none of the “without risk” bites is fatal).

The findings, published In Human-Wildlife, interactions suggest that most Gator bites should not be seen as “attacks” in the first place, according to the authors. And they claim that almost all incidents can be prevented as long as people take the right precautions around alligators.

“The lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if people are aware of their environment and minimize risky behaviors, such as walking small pets near water bodies or swimming, where the alligators are present,” says the researcher Frank Mazi, a professor of ecology. Lauderdale.

Gators are found Throughout Florida and parts of the United States to the southeast, especially along the coastal wetlands. They are known to be more active and territorial during their mating season, which begins in April and extends until June. So now it’s the best time to be actively guarded if you live in Gator Country.