Swamps all along the southeastern coast of the US have been made into nature preserves and parks, with elevated boardwalks so people can walk through and see the unique flora and fauna, among them alligators. There are alligators in NC, but their habitat doesn’t extend very far inland, so I didn’t grow up accustomed to seeing them. First time I walked through a coastal swamp on one of those boardwalks, I was disappointed not to see any gators, or so I thought. They lay motionless, often mud covered, and look very much like roots, cypress knees and fallen logs. I didn’t believe they were real, thought they were tourist props or something. Tossed a penny at one and it caught it, snap. I realized then that the things could be on that boardwalk fairly easily, if they cared to do so. So, timid might not be the right word.
Be aware of the Florida Hybrid CrocaGator. It has Croc head on one end and a gator head on the other. they will eat any and everything they can get to.
The have no rear end which makes them meaner than H3ll!