In Florida Gator Vs. Metal Fence, Gator Is Clear Victor: Viral Video

Editor's note: We decided to change "iron fence" to "metal fence" because we were unable to determine what material was used to construct the fence although the videographer said it was iron. Some readers insisted that it had to be aluminum or hollow metal. However, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told Patch that alligators, which have an average bite force of 2,125 PSI (pound-force per square inch), would have no problem pulling apart the bars of an iron fence. If anyone knows exactly where this video was taken in Placida and the fencing material, please let us know.

FLORIDA — Cell phones have captured videos of gators doing a lot of weird things in Florida, like busting through the kitchen window of a Clearwater woman's condominium in the middle of the night and consuming her collection of pricey wines.

But this video may be a first.

A resident in Placida in Charlotte County videotaped what took place when an alligator encountered what appeared to be an impermeable barrier, a metal fence, and was determined to get on the other side.

Climbing it wasn't even a consideration. He just used his massive head and jaws to push apart the iron bars and then casually made his way through the opening.

WINK News meteorologist Matt Devitt said a viewer shot the video this week and sent it to him.

Devitt titled it "Florida Gator Vs. Metal Fence. Only in #Florida!"

This video demonstrates why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continually warning residents to stay clear of these reptiles, especially as mating season approaches in April and the bulls tend to behave more aggressively as they compete for companionship.

According to the FWC, courtship begins in early April, and mating occurs in May or June. About two months later, the Florida wild welcomes hundreds of baby alligators, all of which have the potential to grow big enough to pull iron bars apart.

Related:

• Mating Season Means More Alligators Venturing Among People: Video
• Video: It's Raining Gators In Florida
• 11-Foot Gator Breaks Into Clearwater Home, Heads For The Wine
• Close Encounters During Gator Mating Season; Here's What To Do

While this gator opted for brute force when faced with an impediment, gators are just as likely to climb a fence. They can also climb ladders, staircases and trees. All they need is enough of an incline to pull themselves up.

In August 2019, Jacksonville resident Christina Stewart spotted a gator climbing the fence surrounding Naval Air Station Jacksonville. She stopped to videotape the gator as it clawed its way up the fence before belly-flopping onto the grass on the other side and continuing on its way. She sent the video to WSVN-TV Jacksonville where it promptly went viral.

Despite this week's video demonstrating the awesome strength of a gator's jaws, alligators don't have the strongest jaws in the animal kingdom. That honor goes to the Nile crocodile, which has an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 pound-force per square inch, according to Science Daily.

Next is the saltwater crocodile with a 3,700 PSI. The American alligator comes in third with a bite force of about 2,125 PSI.

Here are some other jaws you'd be wise to avoid:

• Hippopotamus — 1,620 PSI
• Jaguars — 1,500 PSI
• Gorillas — 1,300 PSI
• Bull sharks — 1,300 PSI
• Polar bears — 1,200 PSI
• Grizzly bears — 1,160 PSI
• Spotted hyenas — 1,100 PSI
• Wolves — 1,000 PSI
• Great white shark — 625 PSI

By comparison, the average domesticated dog has an average PSI of 75 and a domesticated house has 70 PSI.