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Alligators apparently killed three Americans this week. One victim died while snorkeling, but in the case of a Florida jogger, "A medical examiner concluded that the 28-year-old woman was attacked near the canal bank and dragged into the water." One killer gator, already captured, is 9½ feet long; another, at large, is estimated at nearly 8 feet. Explanation for the attacks: As it gets warmer, gators get hungry and mobilize to find prey.

Official reactions: 1) Don't worry, gators killed only 17 people in 58 years until this week. 2) One of this week's victims may have been using drugs. 3) We'll catch the killers. 4) You can avoid attacks by staying out of water in "heavily vegetated areas" and not walking your dog near water in darker hours.

Unofficial reaction: Land shark!