From UF/IFAS
Risky human behavior, not aggression by alligators, is the leading cause of alligator bites, according to a groundbreaking study by scientists at the University of Florida and Centre College in Kentucky.
Published in the journal Human—Wildlife Interactions, the research is the first to develop a ranking system that categorizes human actions immediately before an alligator encounter. Researchers found that in 96% of recorded incidents, some form of human inattention or risk-taking preceded the attack. The findings show how alligator bites are not random; they’re preventable.
Related: Managing conflict with wildlife: Living with alligators.
The insights come at a time of year when alligator activity is ramping up. Mating season, which runs from April through June in Florida and the Southeast, brings more frequent movement and territorial behavior among alligators, making human awareness and safe practices even more essential.
“I wondered if crocodilians had an unwarranted reputation for attacks the same way snakes do,” said Mark Teshera, lead author of the study and a biology professor at Center College. “It was important to create a ranking system for risky human behaviors because it showed that the overwhelming majority of bites stemmed from some level of humans engaging in risky behavior in places where alligators live. Therefore, we should not call these encounters ‘attacks.’”
An alligator safety and warning sign on a fence.
Tyler Jones
To reach their conclusions, the team analyzed nearly three centuries of records on human-alligator interactions from 1734 to 2021 using the CrocBITE database, now called CrocAttack.org. The team then augmented that information with internet searches, literature reviews, and communications with wildlife agencies. Each case was classified by the level of human behavior risk: no risk, low, moderate, or high.
Most bites occurred following moderate-risk behaviors, such as swimming or wading in areas known to be inhabited by alligators. The highest proportion of fatal bites occurred after high-risk behaviors, such as deliberately entering alligator-inhabited waters. In contrast, low and no-risk behaviors, like walking near water or simply being present on land, rarely resulted in attacks.
“The takeaway lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present,” said Frank Mazzotti, professor of wildlife ecology at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC) and an author on the study.
The most surprising finding was how high the percentage was for humans engaging in risky behavior. This indicates that humans, rather than alligators, are at fault in the vast majority of cases where bites occur, said Teshera.
Alligator laying on the ground. Photo taken 01-26-21.
Tyler Jones
The results emphasize that alligators aren’t seeking conflict, but they will respond when humans provide what scientists call an “attractive stimulus,” such as by splashing, swimming or entering alligator habitats.
Although some bites happened without clear warning, in many cases, people unknowingly triggered the alligator’s natural response to defend itself or to hunt.
Researchers stress that humans are entering the environment of a large, wild predator much like hikers entering bear country or swimmers in shark-inhabited waters and should assume some level of responsibility and attentiveness.
“By examining these risk categories, and some of the activities people were involved in immediately preceding a bite, we are hoping that it reminds the public how crucial it is to maintain situational awareness in alligator country, which will hopefully decrease future negative encounters,” said Teshera.
People preparing to kayak on a Florida lake. Photo taken 09-26-18.
Tyler Jones
A better-educated public and more creative messaging about how to stay safe in gator territory could prevent injuries and save alligator lives, too.
“Frequently, when the alligator responsible for the bite is identified, it is removed by authorities and euthanized, losing its life because of risky human behavior,” said Mazzotti.
The researchers recommend that wildlife managers adopt diverse, targeted communication strategies to promote safe behavior around alligators. Increased awareness, they say, could dramatically reduce the number of bites and the need to euthanize alligators after attacks.
“Ultimately, the study underscores that situational awareness and informed choices, especially during recreational activities in alligator country, can help protect both people and wildlife,” said Mazzotti.
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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human, and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries and all Florida residents.
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