How fast do gators chase??

[@mikeef747]

Thank you Chris for saying that! Alligators in no way run 35mph! I have lived in Florida for over 40 years, grew up on a little river in near Wekiwa Springs State Park. I used to hear if I'm chased by an Alligator to run zig zag because they can outrun you, but can't see out of the side of their eyes. All fallacy! I have never been chased by an alligator in all my years in Florida, in fact they almost always run to the water if they are sunbathing on the banks when a human comes along, with the exception of nesting gators. But even nesting gators won't go far from the nest to chase, more like bluff charging.

[@pandemicgrower4212]

They thought us this in the 3rd grade in FL lol. Just remember to always zig zag!!🤣

[@MS-mr4zm]

They can run ya down….

[@redwoods7370]

There are videos on KZbin of people being chased on land by alligators and crocodiles. It does happen and they go fast.

[@mikeef747]

@@redwoods7370 put a link to a video of alligators, there is a huge difference in the behavior of a crocodile vs an alligator when it comes to humans. As crocs have lost their fear of humans

[@gagedude89]

@@mikeef747 Regardless of if its a croc or a gator, neither have much reason to chase you, reptiles do not like to expend more energy than they need to due to being cold blooded, and crocodilians are ambush predators anyways, they would only ever chase you if they were hungry, big, or close enough/in the water to think of you as an easy meal, and even then they would give up fairly quickly due to not wanting to expend more energy than they need to.

[@lydwinaofschiedam2685]

Even if Casper doesn’t actually love you, he definitely trusts you - and that’s as big a compliment in my book!!

[@animejunkies3683]

This guy is an animal. Idk how he's always just so chill and keeps such good eye contact with the cam, while with an alligator.

[@Laszer271]

I was fully expecting this to end with "... while with a Florida man"

[@nex4613]

Florida-Man.

[@theweknd6946]

Hes anxious inside

[@animejunkies3683]

@Running Commentary Inc. same it looks amazing

[@2ndintelligentWorld]

we're all animals :D

[@flipitgood1796]

Casper always looks like he is smiling 😂

[@casperpetersen5192]

I am :)

[@jlf6235]

@@casperpetersen5192 OMG CASPER YOU HAVE A KZbin ACCOUNT??

[@eliletts1680]

I have read that they can swim 35 miles per hour online somewhere. Yeah though, it is outrageous to think alligators can run faster than they can swim! You brought up a lot of good points in this video! Thanks for sharing and informing! 👍

[@FloridasWildest]

🙌

[@eliletts1680]

@@FloridasWildest you are very welcome!

[@zac-1]

they wear heelys when on land clearly

[@MrGovtCheese]

I'm always on the edge when Casper swims up to Chris or is behind him, even though I realize that nothing bad happened in this video based on the title.

[@HeatherSZ]

and it's not live...if he got eaten I doubt it would be posted :P

[@MrGovtCheese]

Posted by Casper ~~~~👀~~~~ through his T-mobile account.

[@HeatherSZ]

@@MrGovtCheese lolol made me laugh

[@bayebeigh1448]

He pulls the gator towards him you can see his hand under his chin moving him towards him each intro of his videos lol

[@33mavboy]

dont feed off fear. embrace it

[@chatita9527]

I always involuntarily hold my breath when you talk straight into the camera and Caspar is BEHIND you, coming up ... 😳 Happy New Year 2022 from Berlin Germany ♥️🤗🇩🇪

[@FloridasWildest]

😂

[@kathymcknight3460]

Me too!

[@Mr25thfret]

@@kathymcknight3460 Me too!

[@foolicooli]

I don't hold my breath but my anxiety levels certainly rise up lol

[@zachdelano7156]

What Chris is trying to say: "The idea of an alligator chasing you on land is dumb. The advice for when they hypothetically do is also dumb." What people will get out of this: "So *when* an alligator chases me on land, I should run in a straight line. Got it."

[@FloridasWildest]

😂😂😂exactly!

[@savvivixen8490]

From what I understand, zigzag escape patterns work better for projectiles, creatures that struggle to change direction (at any speed) and creatures with very poor senses beyond their "startup bubble" (The space it takes for them to get from rest to top speed). Seeing as so many of these creatures casually outspeed us anyway.... running's a bit of a moot point, as is climbing. Our fastests olympian sprinter so far still hasn't breached 30 miles per hour at top speed. Bears, horses, bison, anything in the mustelid family, mountain lions... heck, cats, dogs, goats, mice, squirrels, almost everything that flies, will catch up to you regardless. At this point, the best thing to do in order to not be chased, is don't be there. And with the territory encroachment, humans are doing a very terrible job with that. Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken.

[@Saturn-Matrix]

You're mistaken, the best thing to do is stay armed with an equalizer 🔫

[@米空軍パイロット]

@@savvivixen8490 You don't need to run faster than their top speed. You just need to stay away long enough until they get tired. They will get tired. Their metabolism is abysmal

[@mrtymrtt5061]

@@米空軍パイロット all high speed animals or gators specifically ?

[@linklinksson6885]

I think I've learned more from this one video than I have from any zoo I've visited or online elsewhere thank you Chris!

[@user-fr9ve9nd4r]

I love learning about Gators from you. I"m always amazed at how much there is to learn about them thank you so much TerryAnn from Philly Pa ❤😊😊

[@spencerreynolds4399]

This is my first time seeing a Alligator Whisperer. I think this is absolutely amazing what this man is doing.👍

[@Torlonus]

I remember the Myth Buster episode on this. They found that if it can't get you in a lunge out of the water it won't chase you at all. I also tend to find most things don't want to attack humans because we're big and scary. You even mentioned how some attacks are just because it mistakes a human for a much smaller creature. Unless it's scared, confused, defending something, and/or desperate most things would rather not mess with other large creatures. But like you said, if they see an opportunity they'll take it.

[@landen99]

I saw an alligator rush up on land about 10 mph for about 15 feet trying to get a human near the water.

[@autrythegood]

Is Casper purring? Aww, here kitty kitty kitty jk😆 Happy New Year 🥳 Thank you for these wonderful videos.

[@KorokHaze93]

I love watching these videos it's all presented so well. Well spoken but still very casual and informative. Chris is cool too.

[@Asertix357]

It's amazing how much Casper says without actually speaking.

[@KorokHaze93]

@@Asertix357 body language is still language and that scaly boi is well spoken.

[@jennacarroll9200]

It's so amazing the mutual respect you two have for eachother. The Alligator trusts you, that is a big deal!!

[@NebelKothbauer]

I love how your so respectful to these beautiful creatures. happy new year!

[@FloridasWildest]

Thanks you too!

[@starhillsgrove9650]

It is so so so so wonderful to follow your work with these animals and I really admire all the compassion and time that truely goes into this. I'm from Florida myself, lived here all my life, and its shocking how little people know about the wildlife here. Even other Locals. I live in Gainesville, (Swamp Central if you ask me) and have seen too many gators and snakes and lizards etc. getting hurt by college kids who don't know anything about them all. Thank you for educating and generally being amazing! I really hope to get to meet you and Casper in person one of these days! Happy New Year! May it be the best one yet!

[@hyper8545]

Still blows my mind he acts this way around you. He is a smart boy to know your somewhat a friend.

[@bryanguegan6937]

Yeah same, that crocco could have taken the guy's heart off his chest easily anytime...

[@HkFinn83]

It’s just modified behaviour. Always resist the urge to put human motivations onto an animal, it’s how you get yourself into trouble with them

[@pathetic2399]

@@HkFinn83 trained behavior

[@metalmah13]

I love hearing an alligator growl!! Sounds much cooler than a dog! Thank you for this!!

[@elch7940]

Casper keeps patting Chris with his tail. So cute! 🤩

[@XavierAway]

I think 20mph in short bursts as they use their tails to launch themselves along (this also helps them accelerate out of danger on the waterside very rapidly) but they’ll tire fast. There is not way in hell it goes over 30mph with those tiny legs, not at all.

[@airtoduprez5911]

It doesn't use legs for swimming tho, it uses it's body and tail.

[@johnham2875]

@@airtoduprez5911 he’s taking about them running

[@djtwister6997]

@@airtoduprez5911 he talks about running, read plz

[@Nick-rb1vk]

I think it’s so cool when Casper’s tail goes over his shoulder! Just amazing being able to be in shoulder deep with a crocodile! Love your videos, so educational!

[@80sladybug28]

Casper the friendly gator!

[@MidnightMarrow]

The way he so gracefully responded to "come" was great lol.

[@cko8643]

First time I ever saw an alligator as cute!

[@DissedRedEngie]

So, I googled "how fast can an alligator run" and the top result was that fact blurb google sometimes put on your searches. It says 32 km/h (about 19 mph). *in water* . Their actual ground speed is more like 9 mph. AZanimals says that their lunges can reach *up to* 30 mph. Whenever you read that something can go "up to", that usually just means they found one time something did something. So, this whole myth probably came to be, because scientists tried to find out how fast an alligator lunge is, then the study was published and media looked at the scary number and made story about it.

[@chasefitness4kids221]

Absolutely great! I went on a boat ride in the everglades in Florida and when I came back to the UK I was even more fascinated. We had a baby gator in our pool over there and the guy with his net asked us "where is his mother" 😬 we said we don't know" can you imagine the mum being around. 😒 But overall keep up the good work you are amazing.

[@lesanduliyanage3676]

As I know, baby alligators are given to live life by itself after been given birth too, maybe the little critter just jumped over the fence being curious.

[@davidritchie9344]

@@lesanduliyanage3676 you are actually wrong. Mother gators protect their young. Their babies are tiny and unable to protect themselves from other gators or things like raccoons. They stay with the eggs and protect the babies for over a year from what I've read on a timeline.

[@lesanduliyanage3676]

@@davidritchie9344 I never knew thanks for the info

[@MoviesMoveMe]

09:25 "Casper says Happy New Year", hahaha cute. I just came across this channel, and I'm liking the education from your experience that you're giving, and it's pretty cool looking at an alligator (something I never really do, lol).

[@entreptiles]

I just love how you don’t fit the stereotype of a Florida Gator Man, lol. So articulate, educated and composed! And as someone who has 18 ball pythons of various morphs, I too have to constantly debunk myths on them with friends and family. Keep up the good work and I can’t wait to meet the team when I come down to swim with Casper! ❤️

[@VinceSlzr]

florida men has balls, he has balls. he swims with wild gators

[@kylein9869]

Do you have an albino ball?

[@moespaws16]

Next time I’m in Fl, I’m making a stop to visit. You guys are amazing and I love you and your wife’s outlook on wildlife. Happy new year Casper!!! 💚🐊

[@OpinionatedMonk]

As a lifelong nature and animal lover, and a biologist, it's amazing to see you with Casper, up so close. He's literally beautiful. Can I ask, do you, or can you, stroke him? Or I think in America you'd say pet him? Like on his nose or the top of his head? That would be a dream, but I've never seen you do it, and I think there's probably a good reason, but I have to ask. Love your videos. Would love to visit.

[@BlackKen_M]

Good question

[@OrazCostanzo]

its the most fascinating thing how that gator tolerates you in its pond amazing videos.

[@priscilaundomiel3264]

One day I will meet Casper. It's my dream! He is so cool and beautiful! Chris I think is amazing that you are teaching people to respect and learn about these wonderful misunderstood creatures. They are usually showed as monsters, but the only existing monsters are the humans. Beautiful work 👍❤️

[@gap_tooth]

see i’m so paranoid, when he lifted up his hand to mimic how he throws food to a gator i thought casper might swing and go for it. like when i pretend to have a treat in my hand so my dog will listen, then she’s like wtf man? so what i learned is that casper is smarter than my dog lmao 💀

[@fade6827]

6:23 aww he tried to nom on a leaf

[@shaunbauer78]

This is one of the coolest channels I've ever randomly come across 😎

[@dontask77]

Ok I'll confess. That was me that came up with that "Run in zig zag" thing. I knew about the blind spot right in front of them. Wife and I were in alligator territory and she asked me what she should do if an alligator came after us. I told her to run in zig zag and that I would run straight ahead. She thought it was great advice and very noble of me to sacrifice myself for her. She told everyone about running in zig zag and now we're here. Sorry about that. My fault.

[@groundedgrades]

it probably only works on komodo dragon

[@danko5866]

r/trustmebro

[@L4Z3RF4C3]

Who knew the best evolutionary design to run is a long chubby body with four stumpy legs and a giant head.

[@brittanykoch4960]

He says”ooo you have the camera, let me move so you can get my good side” and then he looks like he boops the camera. ❤️

[@llemonVar]

I feel sometimes you can literally talking to them on some Dr.Dolittle vibes keep up teaching an educating us

[@DrSusanSpitzer]

Thank you for warning everyone about gators. About 32 years ago, my husband and I came across on in the Everglades. You’re never going to believe this, but I got pregnant! Our daughter was conceived while being watched by an alligator…and she still hasn’t moved out!

[@vanalaphachuasritrakul5593]

Happy New​Year to you and Casper too! I quite like the sound he made. 😂😂 I started watching your channel 2 days ago and kept coming back. Very educational and realistic. Thank you for producing these kind of content. Well done to you and your team!!!

[@2ndintelligentWorld]

casper is so cute floating around and jsut being underwater!!

[@expressivepets1]

So happy to hear someone taking the mystery out of these majestic creatures. You wear a drysuit? He just tried to taste the leaf...so cool.

[@jazzbo9903]

Happy new Year in August Casper. ❤

[@ConspiracistLizardMan]

Gator: "Why I don't eat him? Because he feeds me. That's it."

[@mixcypher9041]

Casper just chilling in the water and floating around is adorable Too bad he’s an apex predator

[@michaelloucks4448]

Hey Chris I get such a kick out of Casper when he comes up to you and just hangs out with you he is so dosile with you good job Chris excellent information good video God bless you and your family and Casper.

[@Buggabones]

Grew up on the bayous in MS. Never had a problem with one in the water, they got scared really easy. Only time I ever had a problem was on land, it must have been nesting or something.. I walked up and it started hissing so I took a step forward and raised my arms figuring it would slide into the water like they normally do, but this little guy turned and faced me and got in battle stance like he was ready to charge. I just backed up and was like fine dude ill go somewhere else.

[@scroopynooperz9051]

"I've been handling alligators for 20 years, i get in the water with wild ones but even that is really sketchy" 😂 At least you acknowledge the fact that everytime you do it in the wild, it's a throw of the dice and one day ya might come up snake eyes.

[@HLB512]

I think alligators are fascinating but I would never go near any of them.

[@quinnblacklivesmatter]

My dream is to come down to ya'll and swim with the gators!! So amazing 👏 Excellent work!

[@Empridon]

Dude do you realize how dumb that is. Swimming with a crocodile... do you not expect to be eaten?

[@dankofdaday]

next thing u hear on the news "florida man eaten by pet gator"

[@mrade5321]

I've only recently got interested in gators and crocs and I'm amazed at how smart they are. So many myths have been busted. Casper is awesome 👍

[@pepstalynn]

Go show him your appreciation and give him a hug. He'll love it.

[@W7Mike5150]

That gator knows exactly what that camera is ... Lol

[@catonthemoon2084]

I still think Chris is Jeff Gordon. "Gotta keep an eye on him" Hell yeah 🤣😂🐊

[@chipsdubbo4861]

His calm demeanor in dangerous situations gives me more of a Terry "Iceman" Labonte vibe.

[@klayAZklay12]

Casper lips happy and so do you! Happy New Year and thank you much for your inspirational videos! You're the reptile alligator whisper

[@ddolhon22]

Thanks for this info! I always followed google so I definitely know to follow your tips and info

[@Alex-eq7uh]

Nice, he is so cute. We really need to respect and know nature better, it s so rich and full of wonders , and human and animals can have a special bond.

[@davidash2727]

Wonderful site honest information to counter all the misconceptions. Bravo.

[@TheOnlyTaps]

Realizing I've never actually commented this but actually discovered this channel via Andrew Schulz, he did a video where he came through to your facility about a year ago or so to do the dive with the safety net. Totally random to leave this comment now but just came to my head after I've become so used to seeing your videos come through my timeline lol Keep up the great work 👊🏿💯

[@lyidacampbell7755]

Today is Happy Thanksgiving Day 20 22 wish the both of you very Happy Thanksgiving! Your fan.🙂🦝👍👍✌️✌️🖐🖐👨👱‍♀️🐊🐊🐊

[@Jaredhenderson765]

Glad someone bringing up the good parts of Florida it’s amazing to be a Floridian sometimes there’s worst states out there

[@FlurryMainchin]

"Hey, chris here, just finished my under water alligator tour, it's AWESOME. By the way lol, never-ever-ever get in the water with an alligator they will fucking kill you and there is no escape"

[@waldo2635]

LOL, Happy New Year Casper!

[@kati8359]

Casper is a sneaky little critter

[@Alberad08]

Thanks for sharing this - a great new year to you too!

[@jazzbo9903]

I have heard, one should run in a zigzag if a snake chases you. Thank you for smashing the zigzag myth when it comes to alligators.🙋‍♂️🐊❤️❤️

[@kalancusick5051]

Hey Chris, just wondering if you have ever worked with any crocodiles in Australia? Also, hope you have a very Happy New Year!

[@FloridasWildest]

I’ve worked with a 16ft saltwater croc imported here in Florida, never been to Australia though

[@chrisboudreau4057]

@@FloridasWildest that sounds epic. working with such a big, strong reptile

[@kalancusick5051]

Wow! Very cool, sad however that you haven’t been to Australia. Very good country if you want to lose some fingers. :)

[@pandemicgrower4212]

@@roombadrifter3466 lol

[@kalancusick5051]

@@roombadrifter3466 lol. It is a dangerous place out here, what can I say!

[@stevecaldwell9766]

i love kayaking with the gators at silver springs park in fl, they swim under me so fast. i actually played hide and seek with a 6 footer one day. I d find him then he kept moving till i find him again and move again..

[@SirChristian100]

At minute 3:00 he smiles so cute ^^

[@flfun1684]

Being a Floridian Id love to get in with Casper! Another park in Florida has wild wolfs you can join in the pack..visit them.. Marriana,FL I think

[@carlindurfee7566]

That’s awesome!

[@luxbeauty4952]

Why would anyone want to do that

[@natenobles4372]

@@luxbeauty4952 How about you go and find out yourself or forever hold your peace

[@luxbeauty4952]

@@natenobles4372 no I say and comment what I want thanks 🙏

[@natenobles4372]

@@luxbeauty4952 I didn’t mean it literally lol. I’m saying if you want to know so bad why not go see it for yourself ?

[@zcjek]

bro how is he so calm with an alligator staring him down from behind “ 3:99 “

[@amysuewest3826]

Thank you for all of that information. I'm one of those people who moved to Florida and was told, in all seriousness, if an alligator starts to chase you, run in zit zags. 🤦‍♀️

[@johnnydeclanbarnes116]

Islam is the truth, come to Islam

[@theluckycattarot8168]

he is such a cute aligator 😍

[@lightningshy5287]

That is the happiest gator I’ve ever seen ❤️

[@12mrcool1]

I’ve watched this video a few times now since it’s been released, because I randomly see an alligator on a video or something and my ADHD goes into research mode. Every time 3:05 kills me. Chris is like it’s not that they see humans as food, but Casper slowly starts to turn to him like “how much you wanna commit to that bet buddy”

[@mshourba27]

I never thought gators were cute untill Casper. He’s so cute

[@hafwaybrown]

love how you talk about being chased as casper follows you lmao

[@noahgtv730]

I love it so much how he went under and came back with that look on his face like: I know you call me Casper like that friendly ghost but "you better wreckonize"!

[@LeadMe2TheBliss]

Wow. Chris is so brave! I have a huge fear of crocodiles and alligators!

[@tammyhong159]

I don't care what you say, "FOOD IS AFFECTION". That Gator loves you. 💕✌️

[@kati8359]

I think Casper is doing reconnaissance on you

[@gertrudemilhouse5626]

These 2 creatures r so cute!

[@susanmartin3762]

Hi Chris! I absolutely LOVE when Casper swims up to you because he DOESN'T love you and puts his face up next to yours to show you how much HE DOESN'T love you. 😊 I love watching you guys NOT loving eachother❤😂 I do have a serious question. Do Alligators just bite something or someone to hurt them or do they only bite to eat something? Thanks for dispelling that stupid myth! We always see that video of that ONE SMALL Gator hauling ass... almost galloping.😅😅 I knew I was right!

[@JoeWere]

6:50 - I remember reading about zig zag run from a Disney magazine like from 90's; It had content of a few short comics and some articles for kids.

[@tiksus5772]

Him casually sitting with a croc 🐊

[@Yu-dp5hp]

I heard that they could run up to 11mph on land which seems a lot more realistic than 35mph

[@AJ-dt3pz]

The zig-zag refers to mammalian predators with binocular vision and coordinated pack attacks. The zig makes it harder to predict and run down.

[@beatazuk8044]

It happened to me when I was a teenager and went for water skies in one of Zambia's lakes, not knowing that it had been infested with crocodiles. It was my first time trying to hold the robe and keep my balance. However, I was more underwater than on the surface. I consider myself lucky to survive that journey.

[@camilamacedo1506]

this is fascinating! I wish I could swim and pet this fella too!!!

[@francesconadig5969]

Happy New Year to You and Casper!

[@runjumpdie]

Happy New Year to you and Casper! I keep begging my boyfriend to do this tour with me but he’s still afraid of Casper. I guess I’ll be going by myself lol.

[@crackerjack9320]

And gators climb trees faster than bears. Truly amazing creatures.

[@cameronmarie7034]

Casper is much bigger than I thought 😳

[@JohnnyBoy8089]

I felt like i was in the zoo listening to the tour guide for free!

[@Jasonth131]

Casper is a professional Alligator.

[@klonuskorewian3810]

Feliz año nuevo Chris para Casper y toda la familia, un fuerte abrazo desde Sevilla!!

[@owenhowle2423]

woah casper is such a cool gator

[@RS14988]

I think it's right to say that crocodilians in general are capable of some short bursts of surprising speed on land but they won't chase you any further than a quick sprint. In fact, they'll more than likely just try to run you our of their territory and/or nesting grounds and only try to fight if you are stupid enough to stand your ground. They're not designed to hunt or even fight on land, they're too heavy and their legs, while muscular, are too short for terrestrial hunting. They're apex aquatic predators and that is where they are king.

[@LaPlaztique]

Casper is an alligator though just to clarify, not a crocodile. I’ve heard that crocodiles are more aggressive than gators and they can’t run as fast.

[@RS14988]

@@LaPlaztique And alligators fall within the order of Crocodilia. I'm aware of the differences between the two, but crocodilian creatures don't just mean crocodiles.

[@LaPlaztique]

@@RS14988 Of course, no worries. I wasn’t trying to be a jerk. They have classifications of species.

[@RS14988]

@@LaPlaztique No problem, usually when I make a statement like that, I do get the jerks, so do excuse me if I come across as a bit defensive :)