1. Never swim at night or in the early morning, or in murky water. Alligators hunt at night and early morning. Splashing may attract an alligator's attention.
2. Never approach an alligator nest or baby alligators. Mother alligators are very protective of their nest and babies.
3. Never feed wild alligators. It is against the law and causes the alligator to lose its natural fear of people. Instead of leaving when people approach, the alligator may come toward people and attack, expecting food.
4. Do not make "pets" of alligators. They don't make good pets. Alligators have very small brains and act instinctively. An alligator raised in captivity may be less afraid of people than its wild relatives, but they are never to be trusted.