Typically, when we think of alligators lurking in water, we think of them as being dangerous predators and a threat to our own safety. After all, these creatures can have anywhere between 74 to 80 teeth in their powerfully strong mouths at any given time. They also lunge at their prey and can easily snatch someone off the shore if they feel threatened.
Unsplash | Glen Carrie
Alligator In Texas Spotted Swimming With Knife Sticking Out Of Its Head
You don't have to be too worried, though.
Unsplash | Tomo Nogi
That being said, alligator attacks are actually pretty rare and they tend to avoid humans unless the need to defend themselves arises.
Alligators sightings are pretty common for those who live in the southern United States.
Unsplash | Stephanie LeBlanc
This is because there are many wetlands down south, and that's where their habitat is.
One Texas woman spotted an alligator swimming near her home in Houston that appeared to be in really rough shape.
ABC 13
She noticed something sticking out of its head that resembled a weapon —it looked like a knife.
"It looked like a steak knife that was sticking out of his head," she said.
ABC 13
Erin Weaver told ABC 13 that alligators are regularly seen around her neighborhood, though they've never attacked anyone or acted aggressively.
Weaver was deeply disturbed by the sight of the alligator swimming with a knife in its skull.
ABC 13
She and her neighbors are concerned for the creature and hope to soon find it the help it clearly so desperately needs.
Usually people might be frightened of an alligator swimming fairly close to them, but this was actually a concern for different reasons.
ABC 13
"I want to get help for this alligator, I don't want to see an alligator swimming around with a knife in his head and suffering."
In the six years she's lived in that neighborhood, she said no one has had any problems with the animals.
ABC 13
"Almost every morning I see them," Weaver said. "Never have I seen them aggressive or even defensive, if you walk by and startle, them they just go under water."
Because of this, she believes the savage attack was likely instigated by a person acting aggressively towards the alligator.
Unsplash | Nick Karvounis
"I feel that somebody did this on purpose," she said. "I can't imagine this animal going after somebody that they would have to defend themselves, because we've never had that happen before."
Unfortunately, no one has come forward with any details as to who may have carried out this attack.
Unsplash | Haus of Zeros
The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office told ABC 13 that they can only take a report once a deputy physically witnesses the injured animal.
A Texas wildlife agency is expected to come examine the gator next week.
Unsplash | Rajeevan MSN
Until then, Weaver and her concerned neighbors are acting as advocates for the alligator, and helping to raise awareness of this brutal and seemingly senseless attack to other people through various media sources.
There may be some good news for the gator, however.
Unsplash | Stefan Steinbauer
There has been no word on the condition of the alligator, but luckily these animals are incredibly difficult to seriously injure.
Alligator's are pretty tough for many reasons, but their skin is an important one for their survival.
Unsplash | Bharathi Kannan
An alligator's skin essentially acts as its body armor, and even once that's been penetrated, their skulls are made of incredibly thick, resilient bone.
So while it would appear the knife has the potential to kill the animal, it's likely sticking out of the gator's skull without having touched its brain, making for a nasty experience but otherwise nonfatal injury.
h/t: ABC 13
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