Trends and Characteristics of Alligator Bites in Florida
The primary goals of this study were to assess historical human-alligator incidents that resulted in bites, to discern characteristics of these incidents, and to determine any long-term trends in the frequency and rate of bites. We compiled over 600 alligator incidents on record from 1948-2014 into a database. We then examined hypotheses that have been posed by the general public, scientists, and the FWC regarding trends in alligator bites and factors associated with bites on humans by free-ranging alligators in Florida.