Gators actually are pretty timid. The one in the first photo in post #3 above jumped back into the water on the right when the car on the left approached. They really are a danger to people only if you're swimming in their pond (in which case you deserve to get chomped) or if you attack them. Nonetheless, I try to give the bigger ones wide berth when I see them. I don't think they're a threat to sneak up on you while fixing a flat.