How to Become an Alligator Wrestler
Alligator wrestling is a dangerous and exciting activity. People learn to wrestle an alligator for survival, personal satisfaction or showmanship. Realize that wrestling an alligator can result in injury or death. These steps are not intended to prepare you to actually wrestle an alligator. Instead, they are an overview of how to start your search for more information about alligator wrestling.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
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1
Go to gator school. The only alligator wrestling school in the United States, Colorado Gators, offers hands on half-day classes where you can learn to handle two to ten foot alligators.
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Get a job at an animal park, such as Reptile Gardens. The park provides three weeks of alligator wrestling training before you are allowed to join a staff of wranglers who perform daily demonstrations.
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3
Research alligator wrestling extensively. Read books about alligator wrestling and watch videos to study the techniques used by professionals.
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Observe alligators in the field. First become comfortable around alligators familiar with their natural environment. Spend a lot of time in the swamps and don't jump on the first alligator you see. You will learn a lot just from observing the gators.
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Start small. The first alligator you try to wrestle should be small to maximize your safety. Move up very slowly from smaller to larger alligators and be respectful of the animals.
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Know how to wrestle free from an alligator. When on land, get on the alligator's back and apply pressure to his neck, forcing the head and jaws down. Then cover the gator's eyes. If the alligator has attacked you, use a weapon or your fist on the eyes and nose.
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Tips & Warnings
To avoid an alligator attack, do not swim or wade in areas where alligators live, never feed alligators or interfere with babies or eggs and never let your arms or legs dangle from the side of a boat.
Do not harass or try to capture an alligator.
If an alligator gets you in his jaws, try to keep his mouth clamped shut so that it cannot shake you or roll over.
If an alligator attacks you, seek medical attention immediately, regardless of the size of the cut or bruise. Alligator bites can be dangerous.
