A juvenile Alligator.
You can see the head/nose is a little short compared to the body. If he was not covered in vegetation we would see the mottled hide coloring.
Along this back trail there is a small hummock, just maybe 20 yards off the trail where a female has a nest each year. This could be one of her young from a year or so ago.
Below he is sitting only a few feet from the trail. It’s pretty narrow here with swamp on either side, but it’s unusual to see any large gators here, just smaller ones. We found 2 this time.
Fantastic photograph. He looks very alert. Are the big ones dangerous, sorry I know this might sound a stupid question – but if you encountered one could it eat you?
Normal question, one people should ask. Two part answer.
1. Yes, big ones are the alpha predator. Can be as long as a small car, weight of biggest maybe 500 kg. Brain the size of an apple. Futile to try to out think them LOL.
2. However they very rarely harm people. We are the one predator they have. It’s unusual for them to even try to assert themselves. I see them all the time and they will ‘push back’ a bit. When an alligator does harm a person it is always the persons fault, often walking a dog near water where they live. Gator gets dog, person saves dog, gator gets person.
Wildlife photogs here know gators, keep smart and a safe distance from any of size. When you bump into one, and you will because they are hidden, just go about your business. Good for people to ask the question rather than think they are in a park or zoo.
Thanks.
Thank you for Ted. Makes sense I suppose. I would still be wary of wandering around on my own though ..until I got used to it I guess. You live in an amazing area, your photos are superb by the way 😊
If you can wander a moor, same but different LOL. And thank you for your comments and conversation. Always appreciated.
An exceptional moment and photograph! He is definitely alert and his eyes are so inquisitor. Fantastic photo!!!
Thank you. He’s alert because I look like a giant from down there and he’s not that big.