The alligators and other critters were here long before humans and I blame humans for feeding the gators, bears etc. (which is illegal) and causes the animals to associate humans with food ... they lose fear of humans and then the humans quit feeding them and they are left to catch their own dinner which unfortunately sometimes ends up being small pets.
I can't imagine swimming or water skiing in water where gators are present ... Scary!!
tarev: Now that's the largest Rodent I've ever seen ... I don't like rodents and i don't think I'd want one that size in my garden.