Giant Costa Rican Crocodile at Corcovado
This post started out as a photo essay on the differences between alligators and crocodiles as part of my new daily travel photo section.
Click here to check out the series
While writing the intro to the photos, I suddenly had a lot more to say than a mere paragraph on the subject, and while writing, the post metamorphosed into my belief that the dangers these animals pose far outweigh their reputation. Then I began to reflect on some of my personal experiences and what started as just a photo shifted to an all out post.
A Costa Rican crocodile at Corcovado National Park
Sometimes when traveling the adventure can suddenly head into unexpected channels and turn into something quite different. It is interesting that the same experience can happen when chronicling a trip. This is true with any endeavor.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an alligator and a crocodile? If you have then check out the photos. There is a close up for each animal taken with a zoom lens. If you happen to get this close to either of these animals in person then this post will help identify which animal is about to kill you.
Alligator photo taken at Shark Valley in the Florida Everglades
Giant alligator basking in the sun at St. Marck's Wildlife Refuge in Florida
Alligator at Shark Valley in the Everglades
In reality, the danger posed by crocodiles and alligators is overblown. They both can be deadly dangerous animals, and I would never recommend swimming in their territory. If you are in Florida, swim at a pool or a swimming area that is guaranteed to be alligator free.
I read somewhere that there has never been a documented crocodile bite in Florida. Crocodiles are endangered in Florida, so it is not a shocking surprise, but they do exist and are supposed to be formidable hunters, yet never a bite. There have been plenty of alligator attacks in Florida, but even these attacks are few and far between for the amount of people and alligators that co-exist in Florida.
Alligator at the Anhinga Trail
According to two online sources: the last documented fatal alligator attack in Florida occurred in November of 2007. One of the online sources is a database that gives an account of every attack that occurred in Florida. It makes for some interesting reading.
The last fatal attack happened when a male fleeing police after burglarizing cars jumped into a retention pond near the Miccosukee Resort and Convention Center. He was killed by a 9 foot alligator. This to me does not speak of the danger of alligators, but that crime does not pay.
Awww, aren't they cute - baby alligators at Shark Valley in the Florida Everglades
Costa Rica is a country surrounded by oceans with a healthy crocodile population, yet they average about one death per year from a crocodile. This statistic yearly sucks for that one person, but for a country with millions of people and millions of tourists to only have one death per year is pretty telling.
Crocodile near Sirena Station in Corcovado National Park
The first time I canoed in the Florida Everglades as a teenager I was petrified at the thought of paddling with alligators. We also had our family dog in one of the canoes. I rationalized this would mean we would be trolling bait for hungry alligators. We canoed from Flamingo through Bear Lake out to the ocean at Cape Sable. Cape Sable is the farthest southern point on mainland Florida excluding the Keys.
One of the lakes we paddled through on this journey was Alligator Lake. They choose a good name for the lake. Up to this point we had only seen one small gator, but as soon as we entered Alligator Lake they were everywhere. There must have been ten alligators swimming or basking on the shoreline.
Instead of freezing in terror as soon as I saw multiple large alligators, the contact with them disarmed my fear. They wanted absolutely nothing to do with us. Every time we paddled close to them, and we never did this on purpose, they submerged and swam away. They acted like giant turtles.
Alligator at St. Marck's National Wildlife Refuge in Florida
My dad was in the lead canoe, and he caused a ten foot gator to submerge in front of him. Thinking the coast was clear he rose to the surface just as my mom and I in the second canoe came on the scene. He rose up feet in front of our boat and when he saw us he immediately went underwater again creating a huge splash. It scared the hell out of us, but in retrospect, the giant beast was doing everything he could to avoid us. Do not be afraid to canoe the Florida Everglades. Paddling with alligators is thrilling and safe.
This post is limited to alligators and crocodiles in the western hemisphere. I read an account of an adventurer who was plucked out of his kayak last year on a river in the Congo by a 15 foot crocodile. I do not think I will be paddling any African Rivers in the near future. Read the amazing account of this encounter on Outside Magazine. It is worth the 20 minutes it takes to read.
Stay tuned,
TT
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Always wondered about canoeing or kayaking the Everglades and after reading your post I think I’d be game.
Leigh recently posted..My Favourite Reads From 2011 & What’s on My 2012 Wish List
This post only discusses the relationship between canoeist and alligator. I could go on and on about how great the Everglades are and Florida as a whole for that matter when it comes to canoeing, kayaking, and adventure travel. The bird life is fantastic as well.
I did something very similar to this in Mexico. We actually got to feed the crocs chicken, too! And in Ghana the locals actually swim with the crocodiles and sit on them (no joke, I saw it!). Very interesting.
Jessica Festa recently posted..Video and Photos: SantaCon New York City 2011
Thanks for the croc – gator contrasts …enjoyed the photos…
Cheers…
Definitely not something I would be interested in. A few months ago I read a great story about this extreme adventure guy. Don’t even remember where I read it but he was known around the world. Guy was plucked off a kayak by a massive crocodile. He was never seen again. No thanks!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Slovenia life, history, and war in Yugoslavia – an interview with Marijan Kriskovic
Jeremy,
I put that link at the bottom of my story. 15 foot man eating crocodiles in Africa are a much different animal than the alligators and crocodiles that live in and around Florida. Still have to exercise caution, but it is much more safe in this hemisphere.
Holy crap you did! I didn’t think that could possibly be the same story but after clicking on it, it is! Can’t believe we both read that story and were thinking of it related to this post. Can’t believe that guy died like that! I read that whole story.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Holiday travel tips: Traveling with kids
Yea, that story is really disturbing. I am not surprised we both read it. I first came across it on twitter. I can only imagine how the two Americans feel. Can you imagine hiring a guide and then watching him die in that fashion right before your eyes. Horrifying.