How fast can an alligator run? An alligator is a crocodile belonging to the genus Alligator and the family Alligatoridae. They originally existed about 37 million years ago. The American alligator, also known as mississippiensis, while the Chinese alligator known as alligator sinensis, are the two extant species.
However, according to fossil remains, several extinct alligator species also left earlier. Let’s find out how fast can an alligator run?
You may also want to read about cheetahs.
How fast can an alligator run?
On land, an average-sized alligator can reach speeds of 7 mph. However, an alligator’s speed is determined by several factors, including topography, air temperature and the animal’s overall health. Because alligators hate running, they rarely chase their food on land, despite their incredible speed over short distances. Of course, an alligator’s top speed is determined by several conditions, including the animal’s age and health, air temperature and terrain.
Because reptiles, like alligators, are cold-blooded animals, their body temperature is affected by the weather. Therefore, they may be sluggish on a cold day. Younger and smaller alligators will also move more slowly. On level ground, however, a particularly large alligator can travel faster than 7 mph on a warm day.
What if you are chased by an alligator?
Alligators rarely chase their prey. They hunt in the water and grab their prey in one swift motion. Running on land is not their way unless they are defending their nest or fleeing a threat.
- Run fast in a straight line : If an alligator appears to be approaching you, run away from the alligator in a straight line as fast as you can. You should be able to easily outrun an alligator. Don’t be alarmed if it seems to be gaining on you. Alligators are not only weak in the legs, but they are not interested in chasing their prey. If an alligator misses its first attempt to catch prey, it usually moves on to something else.
- Drive-in your finger: If you are overrun at the water’s edge or in the water, which is more likely, you will have a harder time escaping the alligator. The alligator has home field advantage in the water; it has you right where it wants you. As a result, a water attack is the absolute worst-case scenario. If the alligator’s jaw clips you, fight back. Don’t spend time trying to pry his jaw open, which is almost difficult. Instead, yell, splash and general cause as much uncertainty for the alligator as possible. Stick your thumb or fingers right in his eye as soon as you have a clear shot. The mix of pain and surprise should be enough to give you time to escape.
- Pretend dead: A ferocious alligator may on rare occasions refuse to give up the fight. As a last resort, you could pretend to be dead. As it prepares to re-enter its throat, the alligator releases the dead prey. As a result, you may be able to flee. It is a risky strategy, however, and if you are in the water with an alligator, you should do everything possible to prevent it from going into a death roll.
