A couple were attacked by an American Crocodile in the Miami area. The is perhaps the first recorded attack on a human from this species. VIDEO: US Has Never Seen an Attack Like This Just two weeks ago I was in Flamingo center at the Everglades and there was an American Crocodile swimming near the marina less than 100 feet from the boat ramp where we were standing. Unlike the couple in this story, however, none of us were stupid enough to go swimming there.
I feel bad for the crocs. Because these people were wreckless and ignored warning signs they are going to be moved from a home they have peacefully lived in for over a decade. I understand they are now considered a risk and probably are at risk of retribution from locals but its just unfortunate. Who goes swimming in wild waterways at 2 am?
My book "Florida's Fabulous Reptiles and Amphibians" says "the only report of an attack on a human in Florida is a very old (and questionable) account, involving a case where the crocodile was wounded." Still, this recent attack seems to be the only one that can be confirmed. Also, there are reports of American Crocodile attacks in places like Mexico and Costa Rica, just not Florida (until now.) Unfortunately, the crocodile died while he was being captured. Dead Gables by the Sea croc is buried at an undisclosed location - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com
Hmm, I was told that American Crocodiles are much rarer than Alligators (at least in the United States), and that they are only present in the southernmost part of the Florida peninsula. I was also told that they were capable of biting a human in half. Also that they are more tolerant of salt water than Alligators, whereas Alligators can survive in places where Crocs would die of cold. I also remember Steve Irwin lying down next to the female Alligators at Australia Zoo and telling them how pretty they were and talking about how you could never ever do this with a Croc because they would immediately attack. I predict more events like this as their population rebounds and they reside in places closer and closer to human settlements. Hopefully Florida residents will stop swimming after sundown.
