Herb Posted May 18, 2015 Posted May 18, 2015 Hi All, other than 3rd hand information or urban/suburban legends; has anyone ever been bitten by an alligator while collecting ? Doing something stupid like trying to catch one or pet it doesn't count. "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks
Hunt4teeth Posted May 18, 2015 Posted May 18, 2015 Once I heard a guy's sister's boyfriend's mother-in-law knew a women whose son dated a girl who was told.......Oh never mind!
jpc Posted May 18, 2015 Posted May 18, 2015 Funny.. I was just wondering the same thing today.. hours before I saw this post.
Al Dente Posted May 18, 2015 Posted May 18, 2015 Alligator attacks are very rare but in 2007 a man in South Carolina was attacked while snorkeling at Lake Moultrie. He had his arm ripped off. Two fossil collecting friends told me he was looking for fossils while snorkeling but from all the news reports that I've read the victim claims he was exercising when it happened. Here are two news reports on the incident. The second report shows a nice picture of the alligator with the victims arm in its mouth. I've also seen photos of the arm being removed from the alligator after it was shot. They were unable to reattach the arm. http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20070917/PC1602/309179941 http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=06471082315
Harry Pristis Posted May 18, 2015 Posted May 18, 2015 Though attacks are relatively rare, never assume that it couldn't happen to you. You are in their space while in the river. Individual gators are growing larger, on average, and there are many more of them in Florida now. There is more competition for food. A big, hungry gator in breeding condition - or with a nest - is nothing to tangle with. Stay alert. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest
jcbshark Posted May 19, 2015 Posted May 19, 2015 While there are plenty of Gators here they're not too hard to avoid. You do need to steer clear of mommas with babies but I don't worry too much about the ones you might run into well off the beaten path so long as they don't have little ones . Personally, I would be much more leary of the ones who get fed in the parks or near the bridges that don't have a natural fear of me anymore. Most times they shoot for the water and try to hide. As long as they're not laying on a Mammoth tooth, I'll move on to the next spot Every once in a great while it's not just a big rock down there!
Harry Pristis Posted May 19, 2015 Posted May 19, 2015 While there are plenty of Gators here they're not too hard to avoid. You do need to steer clear of mommas with babies but I don't worry too much about the ones you might run into well off the beaten path so long as they don't have little ones . Personally, I would be much more leary of the ones who get fed in the parks or near the bridges that don't have a natural fear of me anymore. Most times they shoot for the water and try to hide. As long as they're not laying on a Mammoth tooth, I'll move on to the next spot Well, it's easy to avoid 'gators which you can see. It's the one that you don't see that is a threat. Mating season and nesting season are most hazardous. Mother 'gators keep their young in secluded locations, not out in the river where the young are vulnerable to predation. The problem with being selectively leery of fed 'gators is that those animals don't wear fluorescent party hats. That is, you can't tell the difference between fearful and fearless 'gators by their appearance, if you see one. Stay alert . . . That way, you'll avoid more 'gators of any possible temperament. As you explore upstream in the Peace River in times of low water, you will find new pools to search for fossils. Part of your routine as you set up should be to scan the pool for tell-tale nose and eyeballs protruding from the surface. Look for slides, places where a 'gator regularly hauls out. Then, make it a habit to look around once in a while. The odds of a 'gator attack are low for the average Floridian, somewhat higher for those who frequent the rivers. Be aware of your surroundings in the river, and you'll reduce your already-low risk. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest
Herb Posted May 19, 2015 Author Posted May 19, 2015 Still haven't heard about anyone actually being bitten collecting. Seems as though if you take the same precautions as with sharks, snakes and most other wild critters. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone. Don't dangle your feet and hands over the side of the boat and don't wear shiny things it should not be an issue, Thanks for all the insights everyone. "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks
fossilized6s Posted May 20, 2015 Posted May 20, 2015 I would say the snakes are the real threat. They are everywhere down there, especially by the rivers. As the others have said, just be cautious of your surroundings. Most 'gators spook easily. Whatever you do, do not feed them. Also loud thrashing and splashing attracts them. Also I've heard several stories of people getting robbed on the rivers. ~Charlie~ "There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why.....i dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" ~RFK ->Get your Mosasaur print ->How to spot a fake Trilobite ->How to identify a CONCRETION from a DINOSAUR EGG
Herb Posted May 20, 2015 Author Posted May 20, 2015 I can't imagine what they would get? I don't carry anything valuable with me? "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks
Harry Pristis Posted May 20, 2015 Posted May 20, 2015 This thread has veered off into the realm of silly. You'll be safe from pirates on the Peace River. Now, if you park your vehicle in an out of the way place anywhere, you may have it burgled. That is a universal hazard, but not a particular hazard in rural South Florida. http://pristis.wix.com/the-demijohn-page What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time? ---Shakespeare, The Tempest
jcbshark Posted May 20, 2015 Posted May 20, 2015 I've got to say I park in the most out of the way places and the worst I've had happened is to be offered a beer : ) Every once in a great while it's not just a big rock down there!
Shellseeker Posted May 20, 2015 Posted May 20, 2015 I agree with most of what has been said in this thread -- for those interested https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_alligator_attacks_in_the_United_States_by_decade The only fatality in the Peace River happened in 1977. Alligators are not a reason to avoid the Peace River. You just have to use your common sense. This is a situation where Darwin Awards apply. I am far more likely to be killed driving on Florida highways going to the Peace River than from anything that might happen "in" the Peace River. Jack The White Queen ".... in her youth she could believe "six impossible things before breakfast"
Herb Posted May 20, 2015 Author Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) Amen and I was soo looking forward to meeting Jack Sparrow. Edited May 20, 2015 by Herb "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks
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