
People often think of big cats like the cheetah or the lion when it comes to speed. It’s no surprise considering the cheetah is the fastest land animal. But did you know that reptiles like the alligator are no slouch in this department?
Large reptiles like the alligator can have an impressive burst of speed. It might come as a surprise but the alligator is quite limber and fast. How fast are alligators on land? Experts say the American alligator’s running speed clocks in at 11mph. There are extenuating factors that can affect how fast an alligator runs though. The terrain and the temperature are two factors.
Gators can run faster on flat land. But they will struggle if they have to climb an incline or go through a rocky landscape. The weather can also affect the alligator’s movement. It will move slower on a cold day. Their body also isn’t designed to run long distances on land. Alligators have short, stubby limbs and gravity alone will make it challenging to run for a long time.
The alligator’s running speed is a little slower than the average human, but they're known to sprint as fast as 35 mph. Imagine seeing this large, dinosaurian creature running towards you at that speed. It’s enough to give you a nightmare. The good news is you can outrun an alligator.
An alligator can only speed up a hundred feet or so. It gets tired quickly. So you’ll be fine as long as you have the stamina to keep running and put distance between the two of you. What about the suggestion that you should run in a zigzag pattern? It doesn’t make any difference what running pattern you take. You only need to run fast for several minutes to tire an alligator out.
It’s best if you don’t put yourself in a situation where an alligator will come after you. Make sure you put a good distance between yourself and this reptile at all times. Alligators fear humans. Their default reaction to seeing one is to retreat. It doesn’t mean they won’t chase you, especially if they’re defending their nest or hatchlings. Female alligators are fierce protectors.
You also shouldn’t become complacent around alligators. They might appear sluggish but they can move fast. One snap and you might get caught in those powerful jaws. Alligators also have teeth to spare. The mature ones have about 80 conical-shaped and razor-sharp teeth. These can do a lot of damage in a short time.