The data isn’t pretty. Globally, crocodiles are responsible for far more fatalities than alligators. The Saltwater and Nile crocodiles are the main culprits, killing hundreds of people each year. They live in areas with dense human populations and don’t have the “shy” gene.
Alligators in the U.S., mostly in Florida, kill about one person per year on average. That’s tragic, but it’s also less than the number of people hurt by vending machines. Yes, vending machines are statistically more dangerous than alligators. Think about that next time you crave a candy bar.
But here’s the funny thing: people fear alligators more because they look prehistoric. A croc looks dangerous, but an alligator looks like a dinosaur that just misplaced its glasses. Fear is a weird thing.
Zoology - Owlcation
