Florida's alligator population have acquired a taste - for local gentlemen.

According to a study of bite attacks dating back to 1971, the prehistoric reptiles overwhelmingly savage men from the region, as opposed to women or even male tourists.

Even more interestingly, nearly three-quarters of all the alligators responsible for such incidents were also male.

The study - considered the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the United States - was conducted by Professor Adam Rosenblatt from the University of North Florida.

Man-eater: According to a study of bite attacks dating back to 1971, the prehistoric reptiles overwhelmingly savage men from the region, as opposed to women or even male tourists

HOW DO CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS DIFFER? Snout: Alligators have wider, U-shaped snouts, while crocodile are more pointed and V-shaped. Smile: Crocodiles look like they're flashing a toothy grin when their snouts are shut. Alligators teeth are hidden as their upper jaw is wider than their lower. Home: Crocodiles live in saltwater habitats, while alligators prowl freshwater marshes and lakes. Advertisement

This trend has consistently continued as Florida's alligator population increased following a recent downturn.

'Major injuries to victims occurred in 247 bite incidents,' the study reported.

'The estimated annual number of bites resulting in major injury to the victim increased from 3.5 to 7.0 during 1971–2014.'

The gender gap in those afflicted was overwhelming.

Males were more frequently bitten than females: 81.4 per cent to 18.5 per cent.

The cause behind such attacks varied - one third of the bites were connected to people feeding alligators, while 42 per cent occurred in residential waters, such as ponds in heavily-populated areas.

According to the Tampa Bay Time, thirty of the bite reports came from people who encountered gators on golf courses.

The study was published in the Journal of Wildlife Management.

Beware: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says that typical alligator mating seasons begins with courtship in early April and mating occurring in May or June

Florida residents have seen a huge increase in alligators, recently.

The sharp-toothed creatures are typically busy towards the middle of the year and the warmer temperatures makes their metabolism speed up, causing them to seek food in the most random locations - which helps explain why they are more visible.

'They have to find some food so that's when we'll find them on sidewalks and people's pools,' Brian Norris of Florida Fish and Wildlife told Fox 4. 'They're really just out there browsing around.'

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website says that typical alligator mating seasons begins with courtship in early April and mating occurring in May or June.

Most gators deposit their eggs in late June or early July and hatching typically occurs from mid-August through early September.