Watch: Horse Attacks Gator At Florida State Park

MICANOPY, FL — Florida’s toothy alligators have a propensity for winning most battles they enter. That wasn’t the case recently, however, when a horse at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park decided to pick a fight with a beefy reptile that was minding its own business, soaking up some sun.

Footage of the encounter posted on Facebook shows the alligator hanging out in a grassy area near a herd of horses. It seems one of the four-hoofed creatures wasn’t too thrilled about the gator’s proximity. The horse is seen on the video charging the reptile and clobbering it in the back.

Not entirely a pushover, the gator was quick to counter with an attempted bite on the horse’s leg. The two animals then separated with each going their separate way.

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Posted on Facebook by Krystal M. Berry Wednesday, the encounter had been viewed more than 50,000 times in a span of five hours. Berry identified the location where the video was shots as Paynes Prairie, which was Florida’s first state preserve, designated as such back in 1971. The park is now a National Natural Landmark, according to Florida State Parks.

On her post, Berry noted the tussle left her “shaking.” She also said she contacted the preserve after the battle to check on both the horse and alligator.

“There were no clear signs of distress/bleeding when we left the site,” she wrote.

The unusual video serves as a reminder that as temperatures rise across the Sunshine State encounters with gators are likely to climb right along with them. Florida is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators. That means they’re likely to be found in all parts of the state: a message the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission frequently shares.

“You are likely to find alligators in almost every body of freshwater in the state at some time or another,” said Gary Morse, FWC spokesman. “Alligators also frequent brackish waters and are sometimes found in saltwater where they will remain for short periods.”

The first rule of living with gators or visiting a state where they are so abundant, Morse said, is to “never approach an alligator – appreciate it from a safe distance.”

See also: McDonald’s Loving Gator Gets To Stay With Florida Woman

While alligator encounters can happen any time of the year in Florida, the critters are more active during hotter periods.

“All reptiles are more active in warmer months,” said Morse. “The body temperature and activity levels of alligators and other reptiles is directly related to the temperature of their surroundings.”

To help people stay safe around alligators, the state has created an educational brochure that Morse recommends all residents and visitors check out.

“It’s imperative that people become informed about alligators and alligator safety,” he said. “Go to our website at MyFWC.com and read the Living With Alligators brochure.”

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission