I've been canoeing in these creatures' habitat for 20 years and never had a problem with them because I learned ahead of time that the most dangerous alligators are new mothers. The second most dangerous ones are those that are being fed by well meaning but misguided people; this is illegal because the alligators aren't smart enough to realize the difference between the food and the people that are giving it to them and this is what causes most alligator attacks. They're amazing animals that are best left alone but some people don't get that. Out in the wild they're so frightened by humans that they can't get away fast enough. I've seen old gators and a few young, bold gators but I've never seen any old, bold gators except where people have been feeding them.

Great picture.