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.

[boborgera]

Late one night i was riding past a farm and this pig ran out in front of me. Hit him dead on.
It's late at night no one around to see what happened.
So i figured let me just get out of here and go home. Well by the time i got home there was a State Trooper waiting at my door.
Then he ask me did, you know you hit a pig and left the Scene of an Accident?
I asked him how did you know it was me who hit that pig?



The Trooper said = The pig squealed

[1VENOM]

Late one night i was riding past a farm and this pig ran out in front of me. Hit him dead on.
It's late at night no one around to see what happened.
So i figured let me just get out of here and go home. Well by the time i got home there was a State Trooper waiting at my door.
Then he ask me did, you know you hit a pig and left the Scene of an Accident?
I asked him how did you know it was me who hit that pig?



The Trooper said = The pig squealed

[Mo Lee]

Wow when I read to thread title I thought , chunk of tire, can't imagine hitting a real one. Sure glad it turned out Ok.

[MouthPiece]

Gators prefer dogs over cats.

[BumbleBee]

I am glad to hear nothing more happened to you.

That is scary alright

[docdoru]

Welcome back to Florida, Spyder1026 "Dundee"

[Lamonster]

I hear gator is good eating
Glad it wasn't any worse

[krb1945]

the USA and I think the livestock owner is responsible for any damage to your vehicle. In the old days it was the opposite... back in the 40's my grandfather was a semi driver when there were no fence laws. He hit a mule one night in TN and had to pay for it and fix his truck too.

When the fence laws were enacted the animal owner became responsible because the animal was supposed to be under control and kept off the highway.

There was a recent incident near Lake City FL and a Mustang Cobra hit a cow on the highway a 2am. The cow had a ear tag and it cost the dairy owners insurance company nearly 50 thousand for the cobra and 250 thousand for pain and suffering when the cow went through the windshield injuring the driver. Fortunately there was no passenger because the driver was on the way home from work. According to the state police had there been a passenger they would have probably been killed.
/Ken

[NancysToy]

the USA and I think the livestock owner is responsible for any damage to your vehicle. In the old days it was the opposite... back in the 40's my grandfather was a semi driver when there were no fence laws. He hit a mule one night in TN and had to pay for it and fix his truck too.

When the fence laws were enacted the animal owner became responsible because the animal was supposed to be under control and kept off the highway.

There was a recent incident near Lake City FL and a Mustang Cobra hit a cow on the highway a 2am. The cow had a ear tag and it cost the dairy owners insurance company nearly 50 thousand for the cobra and 250 thousand for pain and suffering when the cow went through the windshield injuring the driver. Fortunately there was no passenger because the driver was on the way home from work. According to the state police had there been a passenger they would have probably been killed.
/Ken

Wonder if that gator had an ear tag.....or maybe it was a luggage tag?

[MarkLawson]

I praise God for your safety!

[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.

[BRPjunkie]

Wow when I read to thread title I thought , chunk of tire, can't imagine hitting a real one. Sure glad it turned out Ok.

We've all encountered "asphalt alligators", "concrete crocodiles", "retread reptiles", but real alligator speed bumps must be new.

[scudrunner]

Could you post a picture of your new boots when you get them?

[Some Guy]

That's so bad! I love cats.... I just can't eat a whole one by myself .

I believe it. We met at Cowtown and I agree...you're too small to eat a whole cat! Maybe we can split one next year at MO Spyderfest!

(ok...I like cats, too...even though I'm allergic to them)

[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...

[Way2Fast]

Gators will eat anything that wonders down to the water's edge. I doubt that the possibility of choking on a hair ball will deter one from eating a cat !

[WackyDan]

Cats are too oily. Don't ask.

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.