Being a kayaker who visits Myakka River often, I've had some pretty close calls with alligators, but they don't seem to have that knowledge yet that sharks have on how to upset a kayak to get the meal out! I always joked that I hope sharks and gators don't meet at a conference or in prison and exchange valuable information that would help make life better and more prosperous. Well, here it is. I'll bet they just met, had lunch together, and chatted a bit;) I do know that gators have recently started headbutting, tail swishing...in efforts to overturn kayaks and some have! In my case, last week, a big bull came alongside, puffed up and thrusted down into the water, throwing waves which nearly overturned my canoe. Yeap, their exchanging valuable information!
IRL is brackish water. Big gators don't typically stay in the brackish water. Maybe cause the salt and their skin/eyes doesn't agree? Or maybe because it's harder to hunt. Either way to see a big gator in the IRL is a rarity. Even more rare is to see it swim side by side with a shark.
