ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 A study released by the University of Florida has revealed exactly what\u2019s responsible for the vast majority of alligator attacks in the state.<\/p>\n
While alligator attacks are relatively rare, there have still been nearly 500 attacks reported<\/a> in total since 1948, state officials report. Around 30 of those were fatal.<\/p>\n But UF researchers issued a release last year<\/a> explaining the leading cause of these alligator bites. As it turns out, \u201crisky human behavior\u201d is what led to 96% of recorded incidents.<\/p>\n According to the study, most bites happened when people were swimming or wading in areas where alligators were known to live.<\/p>\n [RELATED: How many people have been killed by alligators in Florida? The number may surprise you<\/a>]<\/p>\n On the flip side, simply walking near water or being present on land resulted in far fewer attacks, researchers claimed.<\/p>\n The researchers also said the results of the study show that alligators aren\u2019t looking for trouble. Rather, people swimming, splashing or otherwise entering in these bodies of water triggered the reptiles\u2019 natural response to defend itself or hunt.<\/p>\n \u201cThe takeaway from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors, such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present,\u201d UF Prof. Frank Mazzotti said.<\/p>\n