The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Hazcat on November 09, 2009, 08:36:54 AM

Title: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Hazcat on November 09, 2009, 08:36:54 AM
Mistaken for hiding dog, gator bites Pasco man's hands

Times Staff Writer
Posted: Nov 08, 2009 01:42 PM

LAND OLAKES — A Land O' Lakes man ducked to look under his car, thinking his dog had crawled underneath.

But when Joseph Cannistra reached below just after midnight Sunday, he discovered a 5-foot alligator, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

That gator wasn't in the mood to play. It bit both of the man's hands. Cannistra, 38, received stitches and was released from University Community Hospital.

Wildlife officers captured the gator. Because it was injured, the animal will be euthanized, according to the wildlife agency.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/mistaken-for-hiding-dog-gator-bites-pasco-mans-hands/1050338

Comments at link
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: jaybet on November 09, 2009, 09:42:47 AM
A Darwin nominee?
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Hazcat on November 09, 2009, 09:46:19 AM
A Darwin nominee?

Still alive so I guess not.

My ex used to work at a place where the parking lot backed up to a swampy area.  I told her to make sure she looked under the car (from a distance) for this very reason.  It's relatively common for gators to do this.
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: tombogan03884 on November 09, 2009, 09:51:35 AM
Are they just taking advantage of the shelter ? Or do they go for the engine warmth like snakes ?
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Hazcat on November 09, 2009, 09:53:49 AM
I think it is more for the warmth (catalytic converter).
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: tt11758 on November 09, 2009, 10:24:40 AM
Had it bitten both my hands I can guarandamntee you the thing would've been euthanized.


NOT a big fan of reptiles.
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Hazcat on November 09, 2009, 10:26:10 AM
Had it bitten both my hands I can guarandamntee you the thing would've been euthanized.


NOT a big fan of reptiles.

I am, they taste great!  ;D   (gator tail is GOOD!)
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: tt11758 on November 09, 2009, 10:30:02 AM
I am, they taste great!  ;D   (gator tail is GOOD!)


Ok, I will admit that I have partaken of both alligator won tons and gator po' boy sandwiches, and enjoyed both immensely.  On the hoof, however, not so much!

Not to mention I can think of a piece of tail I'd rather eat than alligator.   ;D



Yes Teresa, I'm headed to the corner right now.
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: tombogan03884 on November 09, 2009, 10:31:28 AM
Recipe ?  ;D
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: 1911 Junkie on November 09, 2009, 10:34:59 AM
Recipe ?  ;D

Go to the strip club, bring lots of money.  :o
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: tombogan03884 on November 09, 2009, 10:37:13 AM
 Don't give me that Junkie, Zoo's up here aren't the ones that list cooking instructions for the exhibits.  ;D
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Walter45Auto on November 10, 2009, 12:42:03 AM
I am, they taste great!  ;D   (gator tail is GOOD!)

No wonder you and I get along so good. 


"Mama says alligators is onery cause they got ALL THEM TEETH and NO TOOTHBRUSH." ;D
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on November 10, 2009, 12:56:43 AM
I do love Florida, where along with no running with scissors we learn things like, check your boots for scrorpions, leaf piles for coral snakes, look under your car for alligators,  your engine block for pythons, and always remember to kill your hogs with a knife lest someone call you a sissy. ;D
FQ13
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: jerry on November 10, 2009, 08:38:05 PM
Gator tail is good, but the cheeks are better. 

You can fry them up just like fish.  The best I've had is blackened dipped in butter.
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Timothy on November 10, 2009, 08:45:02 PM

"Mama says alligators is onery cause they got ALL THEM TEETH and NO TOOTHBRUSH." ;D

Naw.....It's their medulla oblongata.....Mama's wrong!    :D

Never had gator, even when I lived in Florida.  Couldn't afford to eat back then!  Just drank gallons of beer and survived on carbs and Marlboro's.....
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: twyacht on November 10, 2009, 09:09:43 PM
I've always really enjoyed eating, cooking gator,.

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/Gator2resized.jpg)

Cooking gator,, yeah that's the ticket..and a nice pair of boots...

tt and I will be in the corner enjoying some gator tail. ::)
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on November 10, 2009, 09:15:22 PM
Naw.....It's their medulla oblongata.....Mama's wrong!    :D

Never had gator, even when I lived in Florida.  Couldn't afford to eat back then!  Just drank gallons of beer and survived on carbs and Marlboro's.....
You didn't miss much.I'm probably dissapointing my cracker gator poaching side of the family, but its the truth. It has the consistency of chewy pork (the tail being all muscle) and tastes like swamp mud. Now in fairness, if you treated it like ox tongue and let it sit in milk or a brine for an hour or so and then did a slow braise like for short ribs or shanks with a nice sauce (I'm thinking wine, butter, mustard and a bit of Lea and Perrins), it might work. However, I've only had it fried or sauteed and have never been impressed. My verdict is that they're great for scaring Yankees, controlling the poodle population and making boots. Beyond that I'll pass them by.
FQ13 who is wondering what that girl has on her feet and why. He then asks, who cares, and appreciates the rest ;D
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Hazcat on November 10, 2009, 09:24:39 PM
FQ,

All I can say is....

...LEARN TO COOK!

Lobster can be chewy and tough as well as tasteless if cooker wrong.  So can Kobi beef!

Gator meat is MUCH like a shell fish (lobster, clam, etc) cook it correctly or it is chewy and  tasteless.  COOKS FAULT not the ingredient.
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: fightingquaker13 on November 10, 2009, 09:27:44 PM
FQ,

All I can say is....

...LEARN TO COOK!

Lobster can be chewy and tough as well as tasteless if cooker wrong.  So can Kobi beef!

Gator meat is MUCH like a shell fish (lobster, clam, etc) cook it correctly or it is chewy and  tasteless.  COOKS FAULT not the ingredient.
I've never cooked it. Or even seen it in the store, except for some very sketchy looking frozen stuff at Publix. The only gator I've had was at seafood joints and its usually fried. I gave up and go with the fried oysters instead.
FQ13
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: Hazcat on November 10, 2009, 09:38:11 PM
FQ,

Take that (admittedly) questionable tail and let it get to room temp.  Now put a little oilive oil on it the dust with garlic salt and pepper.

Grill or pan fry in a med to high pan / grill.  What you are going for is slight crispy edges and a nice warm center.  After you get this righ the you can start experimenting and incorporating into other dishes.
Title: Re: How to tell the difference between a gator and a dog?
Post by: tombogan03884 on November 10, 2009, 10:33:57 PM
Best Lobster is the New England ones, It's because of the COLD water, you want 2 one to two pound lobsters per person.
Start a large kettle of water boiling drop the live lobsters in for 10 minutes or until the water has returned to a rolling boil,
Serve with melted butter. and 5 pounds of steamed clams and lots of towels  ;D