Florida Alligator Attack: Alligator Bites Woman's Head While Snorkeling in Ocala

An alligator bit the head of a woman while snorkeling in the city of Ocala, located in central Florida, according to reports earlier this week. The Florida woman survived the attack on Sunday, November 6, but sustained wounds on her head. The aftermath of the almost fatal incident was captured by a photographer who was in the same area at that time.

Alligator Attacks Snorkeling Woman

(Photo : Photo by Jack Kelly on Unsplash)
A stock photo of an American alligator.

The Florida alligator attack involved 20-year-old Marissa Carr who told local media that she went snorkeling with a friend at the Alexander Spring Recreation Area. Although the body of water is gator-infested, Carr was surprised when she was suddenly bitten by the 9-foot reptile on her forehead. The victim also said the incident happened quickly and only felt the pain after the gator took off and when she ran back.

There were no recorded videos of the gator attack but video reports of Carr show that blood was flowing out of her head after the attack, while the wild animal was still lurking behind the Florida woman and her companion. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reportedly confirmed the attack with a local outlet, stating that it sent an alligator trapper to capture alligator.

It is unclear at this time whether the gator was euthanized or not. In some previous related cases, local wildlife authorities capture and kill alligators that injured or killed humans.

Also Read: Florida Man Loses Arm in His Second Alligator Attack in a Decade

Alexander Springs Gator Attack

The attack involving Carr in Alexander Springs recently is not new. In fact, a related encounter also occurred in the same area earlier this year.

In July, the Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest was temporarily closed while the FWC was investigating regarding an aggressive alligator attack. The incident involved a man who was attacked by a 7- or 8-foot alligator while also snorkeling in the spring's assigned swimming area.

Florida Alligator Attacks

The wildlife commission said the victim sustained laceration and puncture wounds to his arm, leg, and shoulder. Outside Ocala, alligator attacks have occurred across the Sunshine State in recent years.

In September 2023, an alligator was found with a human torso clinging on its jaws. It turned out that the body part belonged to Sabrina Peckham, whose body was found in an irrigation canal in Largo, Florida.

In February, an 85-year-old woman died from a gator attack while walking her dog near a pond in Fort Pierce, Florida. The alligator attacked her pet first but eventually turned to the Florida woman when she tried to diver the reptile's attention.

In July 2022, an 80-year-old woman also experienced a similar fate when she fell into a pond along a golf course in Englewood, Florida. Two alligators attacked the victim after falling into the water.

Despite the relatively high number of alligator encounters in Florida, attacks on humans are not rare at all due to the large population of American alligators in different parts of the state. According to the FWC, there are approximately 1.3 million alligators living in all 67 counties of Florida.