Sean Manning, a zoo worker, swims fearlessly beside the 9ft long creatures without anything to protect him.

Apparently calm and unthreatened, the alligators allow Mr Manning to get close enough to touch them.

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The dangerous stunt is part of a highly dangerous show at Miami's Jungle Island Zoo, in Florida, USA.

Brigitte Grosjean, manager of the park, said: "Sean is part of a show called 'Gator X-treme', here at Jungle Island Zoo.

"This aquatic adventure is the first time anyone in America has seen anything like this.

"They have never seen this 250 million-year-old perfect killing machine, which has 80 razor sharp teeth so close to another willing human being."

Mr Manning says he is careful to keep an eye on the temperament of each of the creatures.

He said: "I gauge the gator and try to get a feel for its mood.

"It is a risk, but I am not looking to go just yet."

Part of the show is to highlight the growing population of the alligator in Florida and the effect humans are having on them in their natural environment.

The average adult alligator is capable of reaching more than 13ft in length and can weigh in excess of 42 stones.

Mature alligators have a crushing power of 3,000 pounds per square inch in their jaws.