I grew up on a lake in central Florida. I am not sure that the statute of limitations are up on all the stories I could tell about alligators. I only got bit once by a really small alligator that bit a top water fishing lure and wouldn’t let go. I was in 8th grade and learned how hard even a small one can bite and how badly they can cut you with their claws. I did not learn to stop messing with alligators, only how not to get bitten and clawed.
Two assumptions I make living in Florida: 1. All bodies of fresh water contain an alligator and 2: everyone is armed.