Alligators are incredibly fast runners. They have been known to rise up on their long, muscular legs and sprint yards across a wide open field after their prey. Alligators are able to run anywhere from 11 to 15 miles per hour however they are unable to maintain that speed for very long. In fact, the average human could easily outrun an alligator, whether they are zigzagging or not. Gaining on prey via a long sprint is not an alligator’s preferred attack tactic. Alligators prefer to sneak up on their prey in the water.
These creatures are also agile climbers, jumpers and swimmers, and can do each efficiently and in a quick manner. Alligators are faster swimmers than they are runners. They have been known to swim up to 20 miles per hour and are silent as they move through the water, which helps them sneak up on their prey.
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