Alligator Tales and Lore

Book excerpt: These adventurous short stories are great for ages ten to one hundred. People's interactions with alligators are usually tense, frightening, engrossing, and occasionally funny after the adrenaline settles down. These encounters occur for a variety of reasons and have various outcomes. Ever accidentally step on an alligator? A big one? It happens! You'll see what can happen when you feed alligators. What can happen when a huge alligator climbs into the boat with you? You'll learn why an alligator would knock on your door. Just visiting? Would an alligator come ashore just to say hello? How might you introduce your children to alligators and other interesting dangers? Should you go for a walk with an alligator? If you open a delicatessen for alligators, should you expect good manners? Just how mean can a cat be? The author based these stories on personal experiences and interviews with people who either witnessed or participated in these events. To show how these events came about and progressed, the author provides insights, conversations, and literary tones to explain the attitudes and behaviors of involved people and alligators. Similar events occur in most of the Southeastern United States, so read these stories to be aware. But realize that you still won't know enough. So, leave alligators alone.