The Most Messed Up Things Alligators Do When Killing

Alligator jaws possess great chomping power. A human generates about 150 to 200 pounds of pressure per square inch.Crocodilian species generate 19 times that pressure with a single bite.Alligators cannot chew or tear like some other apex predators. Biting alone lets an alligator break prey bones. Worse, they hold onto bites, sometimes refusing to release things like science equipment for twenty minutes.

Alligators favor food that is easy to obtain.This means they primarily eat fish, bugs, crabs, and other aquatic animals. Alligators use their habitat to lure small and large mammals, from rodents to livestock. Alligators avoid humans because they are too big to digest, though a small child might seem like viable prey. Their varied diets mean anything is fair game, so stay away despite avoiding people.Alligators favor food that is easy to get, which means primarily fish, bugs, crabs, and other aquatic animals. Alligators use their habitat to lure small and large mammals, from rodents to livestock. Alligators avoid humans because they are too big to digest, though a small child might seem like viable prey. Their varied diets mean anything is fair game, so stay away despite avoiding people.

Alligators show great patience when hunting.An alligator needs to eat only about once a week.Alligators wait for food. This lets them rest. This waits is good for those not near wild alligators, but it feels strange. One big meal satisfies an alligator, making you worry you might be that meal.

Alligators are fierce predators because they are patient and easily disguised.Bumpy, rough skin lets the alligator blend into the water. Keeping nostrils and eyes above water helps them hide from even the most observant prey.Bumpy, rough skin lets the alligator blend into the water. Keeping nostrils and eyes above water helps them hide from even the most observant prey.The joke about their lizard brains exists because these creatures have lived for millions of years. They fit their environments perfectly. The scary part is that by the time you spot an apex predator, it might be too late.Waiting and camouflage are not the only tricks. Cunning alligators use tools and tricks to attract prey, including balancing sticks on their snouts.

Alligators use tools and tricks to attract prey, including balancing sticks on their snouts.Alligators use tools and tricks to attract prey, including balancing sticks on their snouts. They use this to encourage birds to get close. Thinking alligators can do this complex behavior is creepy. This behavior means alligators must analyze how and when birds seek twigs for nests. What other temptations do they have?To encourage birds to get close, alligators balance sticks on their snouts. This shows alligators can perform complex actions. This requires alligators to analyze how and when birds look for nest twigs. What other temptations do they have?

Alligators sit quietly while looking threatening. This happens before an attack. Waiting for food does not mean alligators cannot move fast. Alligators canWhen an alligator strikes, it moves up to 20 miles per hour and runs up to 11 mph, then jumps out of the water at high speeds to grab its prey.11It hits 11 mph. Alligators jump out of the water at high speeds to snatch prey. One solid bite takes down the prey, even if they are not the fastest creatures around.

Alligators are ambush predators.Alligators ambush prey.Alligators hunt more than just ambush. They wait for prey, but they do not stay in one spot. They surprise prey instead of wearing them down, meaning escape is impossible once an alligator has you. They drag the prey into the water and hold it there, making escape nearly impossible unless you are extremely lucky.

Alligators usually eat small game and fish. However, they sometimes get their jaws on bigger things. Killing prey larger than themselves requires more than just brute strength; it demands their ability to drown the prey.Alligators can drown their prey.Alligators roll in a "death roll" to keep prey underwater until it drowns. After the prey dies, the alligator eats its meal without a fight.

People often see alligators as solitary hunters, but this is not entirely true. Alligators actually work together.Alligators have been known to team up for better hunting. This includes chasing prey toward other alligators and sharing the kill, showing advanced intelligence and the skill to coordinate attacks.When alligators aim to eat you, you are almost certainly doomed.

An alligator can easily eat a fish or small rodent with one bite. Bigger prey is a problem. An alligator's jaw grips and holds, it does not chew and tear. Bigger prey usually needs to soften up before it can be eaten. Luckily, alligators know how to handle this.Alligators know how to handle tougher prey.They store extra food underwater by pinning it under a log or rock until it rots and softens. Once the flesh is tender, the alligator can eat it.

To eat bigger prey, alligators need more digestive power than usual. Alligators evolved to control their digestive systems. By intentionally diverting blood flow to their digestive system, an alligator can digest bones and giant meals easily.By intentionally diverting blood flow to their digestive system, an alligator can digest bones and giant meals with ease.With complete control over its body, an alligator can devour almost anything it finds.

Humans are rarely the target of an alligator's appetite. While alligators can take down large prey, it takes a lot of effort, and alligators prefer smaller, easier targets. However, human children can be about the same size as an alligator's usual prey.Human children can be about the same size as an alligator's usual prey.Alligators make humans prime targets. Only 13 percent of alligator attacks on humans involve children. Alligators attack when threatened, usually by adults. Avoid water where alligators live to prevent an attack.