Paddleboarder Fends Off Alligator As It 'Tries To Bite Board'

A paddleboarder in the US had to fend off an alligator after it 'tried to bite' her board and she managed to keep her cool during the entire encounter. Watch here:

Vicki Reamy Baker was paddling in Silver Springs State Park, Florida, when she was approached by the huge reptile.

In videos shared on Facebook, Vicki can be seen gently pushing the gator away from her with her paddle, prompting it to hiss.

A voice over a loudspeaker then said: "Mam, I would suggest backing up after you just made him pretty mad."

Keeping remarkably calm - to say there is a massive alligator lurking next to her - Vicki spoke to the creature like it was a pesky pigeon.

Facebook/Vicky Reamy Baker

She said: "What are you doing? Get away from me, get away from me... Why are you messing with me. Why are you trying to bite me?"

Writing on Facebook after the frightening encounter, she speculated that someone had been feeding the animal.

She wrote: "Gator tried to eat my board. Someone has been feeding him and made him very dangerous. He was a big boy."

He certainly was, Vicki.

Facebook/Vicky Reamy Baker

Believe it or not, encounters with gators are a part of life in Florida.

Last month, TikTok user Jade - or @capecoral.jade - uploaded a clip she filmed while out fishing with a group of friends in the Everglades.

Jade was filming one of her friends who was standing with a fishing line in the water and seemed to be attempting to find an alligator they had seen previously.

Jade asked, 'Where did he go?' as she zoomed in on the water.

However, she was then left horrified when she realised the alligator was just feet away from her, camouflaged by the water.

TikTok/@apecoral.jade

At this point, Jade - understandably - let out a scream and yelled to her pals: "Oh my god, holy s**t."

While another member of the group added: "That's why you do not ever sit down with your legs in the water."

Jade replied: "I'm not kidding, I almost s**t myself."

Posting the clip, Jade wrote: "Florida Everglades never fails to amuse and terrify."

And fellow TikTok users were quick to agree.

Commenting on the clip, one person said: "I was watching that screaming 'it's right there!' like y'all can hear me."

Another wrote: "That gator could have jumped and bit you in 0.5 seconds. You're very lucky."

While a third person advised: "Y'all have to assume that every body of water in Florida might have gator in it. Stay safe."

Topics: Viral, US News, Alligator, 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