Hit an Alligator Today

[WaltH]

I hit an alligator today on the final leg of my trip home from Cuba, MO. I was going from Malabar, FL to Naples on the scenic route when it happened. I was on a two lane road (State highway 70, east of Okeechobee) with no shoulder, going about 50 mph. The alligator (3 or 4 feet) was crossing the road from left to right and was mostly in my lane, but seemed not to be moving. I didn’t want to brake hard because there was a pickup truck behind me and I didn’t want him in my tail pipe, or worse. I could not use the opposing lane because there was a dump truck approaching at speed. I decided to go between the alligator and the right hand edge of the road. I almost made it. When I got there, the alligator started to move. It was hit a glancing blow by my left front tire which spun it around. In my rear view mirror I could see the alligator running toward the opposite side of the road when it was hit by the dump truck. Better him than me. The Spyder doesn’t have a mark on it.

Over the years, I have seen live alligators and dead alligators on the road, but I never hit one. I have had a close call with a deer and a really, really close call with a huge pig. I hit several vultures. We have a lot of vultures in Southern Florida.

[txknight67]

Glad there wasn't any more damage than a dirty pair of underwear.

I tangled with a construction cone about the same way (well it didn't move, but it was a glancing blow) and it broke my left fender.

[DynamoBT]

As Gilda Radnor said, "It's always something". Glad you are fine and the Spyder too.

[Firefly]

Glad it wasn't any worse than that!

Was thinking you should be home pretty soon. Was nice meeting you.

Spyder hits Gator---- gotta be a first!

[SpyderWolf]

Very glad to hear that it was only the gator that got spun around, and then crushed. That is a very scary thing to have happen.

[BajaRon]

In southern California it was Coyote's. And just like with alligators, you have to watch out for your little dogs.

Did you know that Coyote's are one of the few animals that will eat cats?

I imagine that alligators will also eat cats.

I like Coyote's and Alligators...

[GeminiJane]

In southern California it was Coyote's. And just like with alligators, you have to watch out for your little dogs.

Did you know that Coyote's are one of the few animals that will eat cats?

I imagine that alligators will also eat cats.

I like Coyote's and Alligators...

That's so bad! I love cats.... I just can't eat a whole one by myself .
No really - I actually rescue feral cats. Most I've had was 41 - down to 20 something now. I also rescue greyhounds (from the track), raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and most other critters that turn up on the porch or at the barn. Hatched a batch of snapping turtles once, but never had an up close and personal relationship with an alligator and hope I never do.

[Smylinacha]

Yep - one got my cat and my motherinlaw's cat. Now if I see one in my yard, I'm just gonna shoot it.

In southern California it was Coyote's. And just like with alligators, you have to watch out for your little dogs.

Did you know that Coyote's are one of the few animals that will eat cats?

I imagine that alligators will also eat cats.

I like Coyote's and Alligators...

[jeuchler]

I hit an alligator today...

I'm glad you survived, shaken but not broken.

(If it were me with my lovely bride, she would've got off the Spyder, gone over to the smushed gator, and made me bring it to a vet to see if he could be saved. )

[groundeffect]

Glad you are ok!!


Ryde safe out there everyone.

[Way2Fast]

Hiting a good sized gator while doing over 100mph in a boat could be as disasterous as hitting one crossing the road with a Spyder

(click on the boat thumbnail and you will see where my screen name comes from)