Alligators are opportunistic feeders and will eat what is easy for them to get. Since alligators are cold-blooded animals, they do not have to eat frequently. Occasionally, you may also find alligators eating seeds and fruits. A 45-year-old man was found the week before in Polk County — partially consumed by another gator. This food source attracts the alligators as well and trains them to associate humans with foods. Alligators are considered nuisance if they are more than 4 feet long and are believed to pose a threat to people, pets or property. Alligators do not usually set out to hunt, kill, or eat humans. They are carnivorous, opportunistic feeders and will eat almost any animal accessible to them. Alligators can survive by eating 1-3 times a week. Some of the animals they prey on include small fishes, amphibians, small mammals, snakes, and birds. Alligators, like their famous cousins the crocodiles, are cold-blooded carnivores. Since they cannot eat them in one bite, they drag them underwater and store them. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'explorationsquared_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',113,'0','0'])); More times than not, they only eat animals smaller than them. Do Alligator Garfish Attack Humans? 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All Rights Reserved, How hardy crocodiles outlasted dinosaurs and survived extinction, Golf ball lands on alligator and this guy goes for it, Hitler’s pet alligator to be stuffed, put on display in Russia, 'Dollar Store Gator' removed after residents began throwing glass, rocks at it, witness Otis Crawford told ABC affiliate WFTS, Sen. Paul clashes with ABC News anchor over 2020 election results, Mike Pence fights back tears, thanks Trump in farewell speech, Clyburn says Bush called him 'the savior' for Biden endorsement, Biden put on a show of 'unity' — will he stick to it? She has a bachelor's degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction. But in some cases, they kill larger prey animals. Alligators do not usually set out to hunt, kill, or eat humans. What do alligators eat? But this does not mean alligators cannot attack or kill humans. Follow Melissa Hogenboom and BBC … However, if an alligator does make an aggressive … In those cases they can take everything from a finger to an entire limb. It doesn't matter if people feed them human-food like marshmallows or throw them fish guts when cleaning fish, it's all bad. Alligators in the Everglades may also eat fruits if available. They store any surplus calories they get from their meals in fat deposits in the base of their tails. In fact, it is unusual for alligators to attack humans. Alligators can eat pythons. Most alligators would never get close enough to humans to be teased if they hadn't, at one time or another, received food from humans. You will find that they cohabit, and sometimes, turtles even ride on the back of alligators. In cases where an alligator is very hungry, they may eat humans. Alligators tend to be shy, but they are still predators. The most recent victim was 16-year-old Jarvis Deliford, whose severely decomposed body was found surrounded by alligators in a St. Petersburg-area lake on the Fourth of July. Sometimes the alligators even catch birds. 54,975, This story has been shared 42,491 times. Juvenile alligators eat smaller animals like small fishes, insects, snails, worms, mice, crawfish, and many other invertebrates. Remains found inside the alligator during a necropsy were a match to Taylor. Besides eating animals, alligators also eat fruits when available. Then buries in rotting vegetation have nothing to worry about aggressive … what do alligators eat of. Feed them human-food like marshmallows or throw them fish guts when cleaning fish, it is not uncommon for alligator. More light on what alligators eat is also determined by the reptile underwater and store.! Work in large animal reproduction find alligators eating seeds and fruits, crawfish, and sometimes, they will it... 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