A humorous video explaining how to detect the presence of alligators in Florida waters has gone viral on TikTok, but the warning is no joke, an expert said Newsweek.

The clip, posted by TikTok @allgood247, has been viewed over 17.2 million times since it was first posted on June 12. The video demonstrates a simple test that suggests splashing water and checking to see if your hand is wet is an indication that an alligator is nearby.

A message superimposed on the clip reads, “This is the best way to tell if there is an alligator near you in Florida.” As a hand is dipped in the water, a voice in the clip says, “Just get in the water, splash around, and if your hand is wet, you’ll know there is an alligator nearby.”

Bobby Fokidis, a professor at Rollins College who has discovered where alligators hide as part of his wetland research, offers a more nuanced view of the “water test.”

He told Newsweek: “The ‘water test’ I learned when I moved to Florida 13 years ago is, ‘If the water is wet, there are alligators.’ Funny how things change again, and I’m still talking about it years later.”

Despite the humorous nature of the video, Fokidis acknowledged that there is some truth to the warning. “Oddly enough, it’s good advice. There are three to four million alligators in the United States, and because they’re territorial, they can occupy any freshwater body of water, albeit temporarily.”

Alligators are found in all 67 counties of Florida and have inhabited the state’s swamps, marshes, rivers and lakes for many centuries, says the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

In Florida, the population has increased dramatically in recent years, which “may lead to more frequent interactions between alligators and humans and greater potential for conflict,” warns the FWC.

The FWC warns: “Remember, never feed an alligator and stay away if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during the day. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water.”

“Alligators are everywhere and can be anywhere”

Professor Fokidis explained that unlike a grizzly bear in Yellowstone or a California mountain lion, “the chances of encountering an alligator on any given day are very high – I saw one on my way to work this morning – so think about where you do your water sports.”

The professor also noted that most slow-moving waters in the southeastern United States could host alligators, with certain environmental factors increasing the likelihood of their presence. “Classic habitats include excessive riparian vegetation (i.e. the ‘swampy look’) or floating plants such as water lilies. Alligators like to bask on logs or embankments, especially on muddy banks,” he said.

Anyone venturing near potential alligator habitats should be alert, Fokidis said, and watch for signs such as “floating ‘logs’ with visible eyes and nostrils.”

He explained that a spotlight can reveal the presence of an alligator at night by the reflection in its eyes – a method often used in alligator surveys.

While many animals tend to flee when humans are nearby, Fokidis stresses that caution is needed. He warns that alligators “can slip silently into the water, so be careful near the shore and do not approach them.”

He added: “A loud noise or splash may alert a nearby alligator to your presence, but like most animals, 99 percent of alligators will run away from you.”

The professor also highlighted the increased risks during the alligator mating season, which runs from April to June. During this time, male alligators become more territorial and aggressive, making encounters more dangerous. “If you’re lucky, you can hear their loud, prehistoric roar that will make your chest rumble up close,” Fokidis noted.

The professor concluded with a stern warning: “The bottom line is that alligators are everywhere and can be anywhere. I wouldn’t risk encountering an alligator during a quick swim in a swampy lake. So if the water is wet, there could be an alligator.”

Newsweek has reached out to the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

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