I could have been eaten last week. That’s what I thought to myself as I prepared to walk up to alligators over twice my height (6’3″) and five times heavier than me. Why would anybody do something like that? Because it’s awesome! Would you turn down a chance to feed one of the fiercest creatures on the planet by hand?
My opportunity came courtesy of Dennis Chauncey at Gatorland in Orlando, Florida. I met Dennis as we entered the park. He offered to take me behind the scenes for a chance to go in with a couple of the stars of Gatorland. Those stops aren’t exactly on the tour. What a blast.
I’d love to tell you all the fascinating things I learned about those massive reptiles, but you can just see the footage for yourself and hear directly from my fearless guide.
There are a couple good things to know before you watch:
1. Gator wrestling began when ranchers had to clean out sparse watering holes so thirsty cows wouldn’t get eaten.
2. Florida natives are sometimes referred to as crackers, a term which came from the sound of those whips wielded by the ranchers.
3. If a gator chases you do not run zig zag. Run straight and fast. Or at least run faster than whoever’s next to you. As my host Ryan put it, ”If you can run faster than your friends you’ll love Gatorland.” Ha!
4. Leucistic alligators are extremely rare. I get to go into the box with one in the following video.
Seriously, Dennis was so good that I didn’t even worry for a second once I got in there with him. If you’re ever around Orlando I recommend Gatorland even if you don’t want to go near those chompers. I know I’ll be going back by next year because the new zip lines will be opening in June 2011!
I hope to get even closer next time.
What about you? Would you go in with those gators?
Thanks to Ryan for going in with me armed with nothing more than a camera.
~*~*~*~
CONTEST UPDATE: A couple of you have asked when I will announce the winner of the Clearwater Message In A Bottle Contest. That will happen this weekend in the PTP video. Stay tuned!
On Twitter @ClayMorganPA.
Those are some huge gators. Will be in orlando next week for vacation. May look this place up!
You should Adam. Much fun!
I gather that they recognized you as you approached with your entourage and begged to be part of your video?
You are an amazing guy getting this set up. This looked like it was fun.
Thanks Garr! Very kind. We had a blast.
Several times, I’ve been to the alligator farm 15 miles from my parents’ house. Never did that, though.
That could be fun!
I would not go in with those gators. I can barely even get up the nerve to occasionally help feed my boyfriend’s snapping turtles. Plus, I feel bad for the poor little guys getting wrestled. Can’t be fun to be pulled around by your tail like that.
The upside is that they are treated like kings the rest of the time! Loads of grub.
Taming the beast, eh?
You gave Dennis good press. Good ‘on ya, as my Aussie mates say.
This makes me feel like traveling like you wouldn’t believe. Feel a bit like Odysseus being lured by the sirens. Only different.
Makes sense. You should go into the Canadian wilderness and climb on the first wild animal you see.
Any closer and you would be missing an appendage!
We are hoping to make our first trip to Orlando this fall. Going to have to add Gatorland to the itinerary.
Do it. Great shows. Up for a zip line?
I”m scared! You could have been eaten! How could you risk your life so flippantly? With such a huge smile on your face? lol. Yikes.
Yeah, I was in real danger eh? Glad you’re concerned Ellster. Actually, your name alliterates nicely as Ellie the Alligator. I like that.
I would figure out what made the guy ask you if you would like to gator wrestle and magnify that trait 10x. By the end of the year you could be wrestling lions and bears.
I could also be eaten by the end of the year! Then again, if a guide tells me it’s safe then okay.
Yes, I would get in with the Gators! You might as well have the full experience everywhere you go!
Looks like you were having a blast!
You know it!
No way…I would be on the other side of the glass…this scares me to death! Glad you came back in one piece!
Wendy
I bet you would go into the feeding area at least.
Are you sure the yellow one was alive?
Yeah, he wasn’t the fiercest guy. Maybe there’s something wrong with his medulla oblongata.
Listen, Colonel Sanders…
Yes!
Yeah, I’m not doin any of that.
BTW, I didn’t actually SEE you wrestle the gator & clamp its jaws shut. Was this scene rigged? Can I ever trust you again?
Why Jon, whatever do you mean? I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about. You wouldn’t go into the feeding area? I don’t believe that.
What a week! You nearly get eaten by alligators, and I nearly die in the woods at night! At least your message in a bottle would became famous, like your last written words. All I would have had is a coyote eaten body and a purse full of lipgloss. It’s just not as classy.
Wow, what happened? I must’ve missed a big story. I’ll go look into this Bloggy.
I’ve been to Gatorland. My wife used to go every year with her family while on vacation. She took me on our honeymoon. Now my question is did you ask Dennis for this behind the scenes tour or did he just offer. I’m trying to experience that. Very cool.
Hey Rob, I’ll tell you what I know. He was selling the feeding pit and I asked if I could shoot video. My sister mentioned I’m a professor with a website and Dennis told me we could have some fun. If you have a camera person why not ask? Maybe I got lucky; maybe it’s no big deal to them. Good luck.
I would have been so proud if you came back with a wooden hand.
I’ll try better next time.
You might miss your hand, but I promise to make everyone call you Chubbs Peterson for the rest of forever. And then it’ll be worth it.
Awesome,Clay! Super glad those gators played friendly with you!
What did I do last Saturday? My life wasn’t in danger but I did have as much fun as you. I was looking at the car I ended up buying Tuesday! Woo-hoo!
Hey,here’s a wild animal encounter tip for you. If being pursued by a bear,never climb a tree
because they are great at climbing. Try to run
down hill. There shoulders are designed to climb
and go up. They have to side step down as
opposed to galloping up hill. If you encounter a bear in the winter,your best bet is to either get right with God or shoot it because it’s most likely old,out of sorts,and literally starving!
I will certainly keep your run zig zag in mind next time I venture to Florida! Thanks man!
But remember that you DONT run zigzag. That’s what I always thought too. Congrats on a new car!
Yeah….that’s what I meant!
NO zig zag. I can hear you all now- “K,let’s go to gatorland with Jess. She wasn’t listening to Clay,so she’ll get eaten while we all get away!” :-0 LOL!
Hi Clay. I’ve really enjoyed this vacation to Florida. Except for wanting to go diving in Key West, I never considered Florida a vacation destination. Now, I’m eager to visit Clearwater and Gatorland. And yes. I would definitely get in there with the gators. What a great Christmas card that would make! Thank you for making this part of the world a little more real for me.
Thanks for checking it all out Piper!
Cool video, but come on! The other guy wrestled the gator. You just sat on it and grabbed its snout. Boo!
Hope you washed your hands afterward!
I know, I am half the man he is. I did in fact disinfect, especially after the meat we fed them which you really don’t want to know anymore about.
Clay, as usual this is great! Major shout-outs to Ryan for being your fabulous one-man crew.
I would totally go in see the gators up close and throw meat, but um… the whole straddling the gator thing. Not so much. Where is the video of that shizz?
And dude, if we land a place in Sarasota, well…. I fly direct to Tampa so I’m thinking “Blogging Convention” Winter 2012. You house the guys. (That is, if your sister agrees.) And I’ll take the chicks. It would be excellent.
How about we make a PLAN to meet at the zip lines?
What’s this about Sarasota? I visit there regularly.
Tamara, you are – of course – officially invited. Assuming I get the joint. Do not want to jinx things. Will blog about it when and if it happens.
Yup, Ryan gets high marks for bravery. I like the idea of meeting at the zip lines for sure!
shout out to me? sweet! a friend of clay is a friend of ours, bring on the 2012 “blogging convention” see you both at the zipo line!
As a UF alum, I have to share with you our chant: “It’s great/ to be/ a Florida Gator!” Ahem.
How did you find a stunt double who looked exactly like you? Well done on the alligator wrestling, stunt double.
Yeah, that guy is my hero. I know I’m a big tease what with no actual footage of me wrestling any gators. That’s how we roll in the entertainment biz though.
I do not plan to ever get that close to a gator mainly becuase I enjoy having all of my fingers.
I love the footage of Chester and the hiss he makes. He’d take way more than just fingers!
I’d feed a gator, but I’m not sure I’d want to wrestle one.
Thanks for that bit of Florida cracker trivia. I guess I have a double whammy with the cracker thing because I also get called that because I’m so white.
I saw a couple leucistic gators at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans – they’re so creepy, especially to look at them in their underwater tank.
So, how’d you land this gig? It’s pretty sweet, and most people don’t get this opportunity.
BTW, we call these rain storms gulley washers. That was actually a little stronger than most of our afternoon thunderstorms. I was out at Venice Beach when that one rolled in. It was fantastic. You got a little taste of what it’s like a few hours before a hurricane makes landfall.
I’m just fortunate that I found such a great guy at the park. That rain was crazy! I could definitely understand how that’s a hurricane warmup.
you look much stronger than your text implies
I just wear spinach tinted glasses.
Trying to remember Gatorland. Can everyone have a chance to wrestle with an alligator? Maybe a baby one?
They’ve got everything from baby gators you can hold to monsters you can feed. Plenty of opportunities to do stuff for sure.
Please excuse me as I catch up on your blog and comment on every single post. =)
This is amazing! So much braver than my penguin petting and wolf in my lap experiences.
I am so glad you watched! I knew you of all people would appreciate these daring maneuvers.