This 10-Year Old Pried Open An Alligator’s Jaws With Her Bare Hands

No, this isn’t the headline of a clickbait article by Buzzfeed. Nor is it a headline inspired by your new favorite adventure series. It’s a real-life account of one brave little girl from Florida, who has turned the phrase “fight like a girl” into the ultimate compliment!

Juliana Ossa, a 10-year-old little girl from Orlando, was enjoying a nice trip to Lake Mary Jane, with four of her family members, when things took a horrifying turn.

One minute Julianna was enjoying a nice, relaxing swim, the next a “9-foot” alligator had latched onto her leg and wouldn’t let go.

Via Pixabay

Most people would lose their cool in a situation like this. I imagine it’s not easy to stay calm, cool, and collected when a half-ton reptile is chomping away at your leg. But instead of panicking, Julianna fought back and actually pried open the alligator’s mouth, saving herself in the process.

“I WAS IN THE WATER AND THERE WAS A MEAN NINE-FOOT GATOR BITING MY LEG,” SHE TOLD INSIDE EDITION. “THE ALLIGATOR GRABBED MY LEG, I TRIED HITTING IT TO RELEASE ME BUT IT DIDN’T WORK.”

Desperate to save her life, Ossa thought back to training that she received when she visited Gatorland the year prior.

“I USED WHAT THEY TAUGHT ME AT GATORLAND, SO I PUT MY TWO FINGERS UP ITS NOSTRILS AND IT COULDN’T BREATH AND HAD TO BREATH FROM ITS MOUTH AND THEN LET MY LEG OUT,” SHE SAID.

“THE GATOR DIDN’T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE HE WAS TOO BUSY BITING MY LEG AND TOO BUSY WITH HIS CLAWS IN THE SAND. HE DIDN’T HAVE ANY ATTACK MOVES TO TAKE OUT MY FINGERS.”

It’s because of Juliana’s quick thinking and her ability to remain calm that she was able to get away from the alligator without being severely hurt. Juliana has since received stitches for her injuries and is now back home with her family.

The alligator, unfortunately, suffered a far worse fate. According to The Sun, the alligator has since been captured and put down.

While we’re saddened that the alligator had to be put down, we’re proud of Julianna Ossa for thinking on her feet and proving that you should never judge a book by its cover.

Tell us, what do you think of Julianna’s bravery? You can sound off in the comment section below.

Featured Image via Wesh 2