Alligators have killed 2 people in the Carolinas this year. What do you do if you see one?
With its large size, leathery shield-like skin and long snout, an alligator can be an intimidating sight to encounter.
Although alligators aren’t especially pervasive in North Carolina, they are present in the region. But two women have been killed in the Carolinas by alligators just this summer.
Knowing what to do if you encounter an alligator can prevent injury or worse for yourself and those around you.
Here’s what to know about alligators attacks, where they are found in the Carolinas, and how to stay safe if you encounter them:
How often do alligators attack people?
The news of two fatal alligator attacks in the Carolinas in one summer — one in the Myrtle Beach area and the other in the Hilton Head area — has put a spotlight on the dangers they can create.
But, experts say, attacks are still relatively rare in the U.S.
A study published in the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine found that in the 56-year period from 1948 to 2004, there were 15 alligator-related deaths and 376 alligator-related injuries reported nationwide.
“As the human population encroaches on the habitat of alligators, attacks and nuisance complaints increase,” the study stated.
Are there alligators in North Carolina?
Alligators are “common in some coastal areas” of North Carolina, according to the state’s Wildlife Resources Commission.
“In NC, males can reach 13 feet and weigh up to 500 pounds or more,” the agency states. “Females generally grow to less than 9 feet and weigh up to 200 pounds.”
Alligators are also found in nearby states such as South Carolina and Florida.
In the Carolinas and the rest of the region, alligators are typically found in “freshwater swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes and the backwaters of large rivers.”
“They have also been observed in brackish water and even on beaches,” the commission says.
How to stay safe around alligators
Although alligator attacks are relatively rare, there are steps you can take to avoid them, the University of Florida’s “Croc Docs” team explains, including:
Never feeding an alligator
Staying away from areas known to have alligators
Swimming only in daylight and in areas designated as safe for swimming
Keeping pets away from bodies of water
If you do find yourself confronted with an alligator, UF researchers recommend taking steps to get away and/or fight back, including:
Running away in a straight line, not a “zig-zag”
Poking the alligator in the eye
Punching and kicking the alligator, “ especially around the head”
Jamming objects down the alligator’s mouth to try to trigger its gag reflect
“Often an alligator will reposition a prey item in its mouth,” the program’s guidance adds. “That is your opportunity to escape.”
This story was originally published August 16, 2022 at 3:08 PM with the headline "Alligators have killed 2 people in the Carolinas this year. What do you do if you see one?."
