Letsrunners from the southeast, have you ever encountered an alligator while on a run?

I lived on Sullivan's Island outside of Charleston and would often encounter alligators while running over on Isle of Palms. Never had an issue on Sullivan's, though.

They pretty much leave you alone unless you step on them.

Actually, one time I was running on a road next to the Wild Dunes golf course and heard a commotion. I looked over and saw some golfers throwing big rocks at what was probably a 12-foot alligator. I have never seen one that big before. I figured they were just messing around with it. Maybe trying to make it move by throwing rocks near it. But then I heard the noise of one of the soccer ball-sized rock hit the alligator and I knew I had to say something. I tried to be nice about it but the guys were looking for a fight. I just told them that I was headed towards the Wild Dunes patrol house and that I was going to report them if they didn't cut it out and get back to their golf game. They threw a rock at me and I just shook my head and ran off. I did stop at the patrol house but the girl in there didn't seem to care...

I considered vigilante justice but quickly threw out the idea. They were a bunch of dorks anyway. The kind of guys who get their golf clothes at Dick's the week before they meet for their only golf outing of the year.

Naw dude. I don't buy it. Golfers are known for their love of the environment.

I'm also in the Charleston area, and I'll usually see one or two every two weeks or so, usually just hanging out by a pond. Really nothing to worry about, though I'm still new here so I still get a little freaked out. Like the other poster said, if one actually bothers you, it's because you've brought it on yourself. Word is that humans are too big for them to go after, but they'll go for your dogs if they get too close.

I was on vacation in Florida one time and an alligator was right in the middle of the bike path I was running on, pushed straight up on all four legs, which I took as a sign of aggression. The path had about 10 feet of grass on either side sloping down to water, so I wasn't sure how to go around him, forcing me to stop or turn around.

I wanted to keep going on this run, so I stood there looking at him from about 20 feet away, uncertain of what to do. He was only about 6 feet long, so I wasn't too nervous, but didn't want to get closer. I waved my arms at him, thinking maybe he would move. He did look at me, seeming wary, so I thought it was working.

Suddenly a big pile of crap erupted out of him, he dropped down from his fully erect posture and walked fairly quickly off the trail, leaving me to step carefully around his awful smelling crap and continue my run.

Every other alligator I encountered on that run moved out of my way more easily, I think I just caught that one in an awkward moment.

Yep, all the time.

They run like heII the other way. Even big ones.

Saw them around Fort Stewart, GA all the time. Mostly 6-7 feet swimming in creeks as I ran over bridges.

Alan

Gulf Coast here. Some local parks have lots of alligators. They actually get used to people and will not bother anyone who is not bothering them. Alligators have attacked fishermen after they reeled in a fish and were trying to get the hook out. The alligator wanted the fish and attacked the fisherman. A guy was killed recently when swimming in alligator infested waters. But the parks have actually never recorded an alligator attack.

Best practice is to stay 30 feet away from an alligator. Alligators can have very fast, but short bursts of speed on land. They will tire out after about 30 feet of running. So, if you have a 30 foot head start, you will not have a problem.

When alligators attack people, they are not looking for a meal. They see people as either a threat or as a competing predator. So, a few bites or a whack of the tail is usually the extent of an attack. Crocs are the ones who will sneak up and pull people into the water to bring home for a snack.

I'm from the NW and applying to schools predominantly in the South. Alligators are something I had never considered...

Yeah, but in all my years of running by alligator infested lakes, it's only happened once. Snakes are much more common when in season.

I came up on him and didn't notice him until I was ten yards away. It scared the shjt out of me when I noticed him

I would be living in constant fear, as I prefer running on trails. Snakes are genuniely terrifying for me, but I hadn't even considered alligators. Thanks for the info., I'll make sure to stay out of your states.

Poisonous snakes? Would they or alligators be found near Emory or anywhere in North Carolina?

Yes, I have seen them on the Riverwalk along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus Georgia. There are warning signs advising of their possible presence along the trail.

I run very frequently in the swamp down here in Florida while I've come across at least six snakes, including coral, rattle, and others, I have never encountered an alligator, though others I run with came across a big one up on the levee when the water was high on either side.

After finding out armadillos can cause leprosy, I'm more concerned about them than snakes or alligators.

Sounds terrifying wrote:

Poisonous snakes? Would they or alligators be found near Emory or anywhere in North Carolina?

Hahaha, you're probably fine man. Snakes can be an issue if you just totally don't pay attention, but I've been running in North Carolina and South Carolina for 36 years and have never had an issue avoiding both snakes and alligators.

What schools? Emory is in Atlanta, so you'll be in a big city. If you're going to the coast, you might encounter some gators, but I don't think you're applying to schools on the NC coast if you're also applying to Emory.

Snakes are an issue everywhere. We have poisonous snakes in NC, but you're more likely to see a black snake or something similar. They'll just scare you.

Adding to what the other guy said about gators: another thing to remember if you do accidentally get too close. Run at an angle. They can be fast for short bursts, but the burst has to be in one direction. So if one attacks, run in long zig-zag patterns and it'll never get close to you.

FUQ W NO ALLIGATORS wrote:

or even when not running?

running on U of Florida golf course 30 years ago.

The golfers were right to be throwing rocks at that gator, and note it didn't move even when getting hit by them, indicating it was on a serious mission to get food, in this case one of the golfers.

Yes, gators do eat golfers, and anyone else who gets in their path.

I once deposited something into the toilet that was the size of a baby gator

Many years ago I ran a year at UF. Someone told me all newcomers had to touch an alligator on their first run. So, as we went near Lake Alice I chose the smallest I could find contrary to words that the bigger were slower. As instructed I walked up quietly from behind, touched the tail, and away I went. Thankfully it was as scared as I was.