Man 'Nibbled' By Alligator 'Buddy' While Taking A Dip In Florida

A man in Florida got 'nibbled' on the shoulder by his alligator 'buddy' while taking a dip. You can watch the alarming video here:

John Braje was swimming in Miami Lakes when the 13ft gator, which he said he knows well, approached him.

Footage shows the alligator bite John's shoulder - and he promptly exits the water as fast as he can.

Sharing the video on Facebook, self-confessed adrenaline junkie John said: "SO, I got nibbled on by a 13ft gator today, lol.

"Thinks just because he's bigger than me, that he could bully me!!!

"Haha no hard feelings though. He was just displaying dominance or maybe even just curious.

"IF he wanted a bite, I wouldn't be on FB right now, lol. He's still my buddy & I'll be back in with him soon.."

He added: "I've had plenty of interaction with him in the past. I think maybe because there were a lot of people around, he felt he needed to display dominance but normally he's really chill.

"IF he wanted more, he could have got it. That's my buddy."

As you might expect, the majority of the comments remarked on John's bravery/stupidity, with one person comparing it with that of the bloke who stayed in the water.

They said: "I don't know who's crazier: you or the guy that just stayed in the water after u got nibbled on."

Responding to the comment, John said: "He's a pro. He's a fifth generation gladesman. He grew up in that water. I'm way better with sharks, lol, he's the gator man but I'm trying."

But while it may seem bizarre to classify an alligator as a mate, John is not alone.

Joie Henney, from Pennsylvania, even keeps a gator as an emotional support animal.

Explaining the role of his four-year-old pet alligator Wally, Joie said: "I went through a real hard depression, and he brought me out of it.

"He was just constantly cuddling and holding me. I'd take a nap and wake up and he'd be laying on my head."

Speaking of how the set-up came about, he continued: "My doctor wanted to give me anti-depressant medicine and I refused to take it.

"30 days later when I went in to see my doctor and she said, 'Well, what did you do? You're doing really good'.

"I said, 'I hung out with Wally!'"

Featured Image Credit: ViralHog

Topics: Viral, US News, Animals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey