I’m in Louisiana this weekend for a family reunion thing. Instead of staying in another sterile hotel, CNSMHB and I are crashing at a enthusiastically rustic hunting lodge south of Shreveport. Getting to the site involves multiple dirt roads, three cattle gates and a pasture/tree farm traverse. The best part of it is the existence of an eight foot gator who we are told lives in a pond adjacent to the cabin. Given recent alligator related delimbifications a little further south, the crew and I were totally psyched about this and woke wicked early to go hunt down this guy, photoblog style. Unfortunately for you and me both expedition #1 was an abject failure* (though, ancillary benefit, we most definitely provoked a minor stampede amongst the cattle tempting said gator and fate by drinking from his pond). Rest assured, we will try again tonight with flashlights, hip waders and infrared scopes. Whatever it takes, dear reader.
*1B: Little bro above was 10 inches long and safely ensconced in an aquarium.
#6 Fight back if you’re attacked. Crocodilians frequently deliver a single, quick defensive bite and then immediately let go. If this occurs, just try to get away from the animal as quickly as possible. In predatory attacks, however, as well as in some defensive attacks, the animal doesn’t let go and will often try to drag a person into the water or underwater. Crocodilians can stay underwater for much longer than humans can, so the only hope of survival if you’re attacked in this manner is to fight back and get away. Simply struggling and trying to pull free is usually futile and may induce the animal to go into an underwater death roll, during which an arm or leg stuck in the crocodile’s mouth will likely be ripped off. A purposeful, deliberate attack on the animal is therefore a better option.
Go for the eyes. The most vulnerable part of a crocodile’s or alligator’s body is its eyes. Try to hit or poke the eyes with whatever you have handy: an oar, a stick, or a knife. Even your hands can be effective weapons if you can hit the animal’s eyes. A Florida teenager recently escaped an alligator that had dragged him into the water by jamming his thumb into the alligator’s eye.
Go for the nostrils or ears. While not as sensitive as the eyes, the nostrils and ears can be effectively attacked. A hard blow or a cut to either of these areas may cause the animal to release you. Many people have been saved from a crocodile’s or alligator’s jaws when other people have hit the animal’s snout with a pole or club.
Go for the palatal valve. Crocodilians have a flap of tissue behind the tongue that covers their throats when they submerge in water. This flap prevents water from flowing into their throats and hence prevents the crocodile from drowning when its mouth is open. If your arm or leg is stuck in a crocodile’s mouth, you may be able to pry this valve down. Water will then flow into the crocodile’s throat, and animal will most likely let you go. Hard strikes to this valve may also cause the animals to release you.
#7 Get medical attention promptly. A crocodilian’s mouth harbors a tremendous amount of bacteria, and infection is almost guaranteed if a bite is not treated promptly.
I wish it had been more like this.
forget Rouge, that’s so fake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2tsnCiud_s
is where its at.
It’s good we’re having this little link exchange after the photohunt is over. BEWARE THE SALTWATER CROC.
Actually i kind of pictured your demise like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Uu-Zpag8A&feature=related
only you scream incessantly like a little girl.