Clever Girl Saved Herself From Being Eaten By Alligator Using Trick She Learned At Gator-Themed Amusement Park

A ten-year-old girl once managed to survive an alligator attack by using a clever trick she had learned.

Once an alligator has you in its jaws, you're typically left with few options and can only hope it decides to release you.

However, Juliana Ossa, just ten years old, escaped the clutches of an alligator by using a smart technique.

She was swimming in about two feet of water on April 20, 2017, in Moss Park in Orlando, when the alligator attacked her, firmly clamping its jaws around her leg.

Alligators usually attack by seizing their prey and dragging it into deeper water.

If you find yourself in such a terrifying situation, figuring out how to make the alligator let go is crucial for escape.

Fortunately, Juliana remembered something helpful from a previous experience when she was under attack.

So, how did she manage to get away?

Juliana shared on NBC's TODAY that she used a method she had learned from a visit to Gatorland.

She explained: "I tried hitting it on its forehead to let me go. That didn't work, so I thought of a plan they taught in Gatorland.

"The guy was wrestling the alligator with its mouth taped, but in my case, it was the opposite."

Juliana then detailed the technique she had learned: "So I stuck my two fingers up its nose so it couldn't breathe — it had to breathe through its mouth — and he opened it, so it let my leg go."

Alligators can even lurk in shallow water. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

This makes perfect sense, as alligators are too robust for simple blows to have any effect.

Like any animal with lungs, they need to breathe.

She added: "I was scared at first, but I knew what to do."

After the incident, park rangers captured and euthanized the alligator that had attacked Juliana.

The beach was temporarily closed while crews assessed the safety of the area.

Shortly after she freed herself, Juliana's uncle, Steven Rodriguez, hurried to her side and helped her out of the water.

He recounted to NBC's WESH: "When I got her to the shore I let her down and I saw how much blood was coming out of her leg, so I picked her back up and I walked her to the picnic table."

Juliana Ossa stuck two fingers up the alligator's nose so it let go of her leg. TODAY

Kevin Brito, the paramedic who treated Juliana, described her as a 'tough little girl'.

By April 22, Juliana was able to go home, her leg wrapped in bandages.

Gatorland also expressed their best wishes for her recovery.

They posted on Facebook: "We here at Gatorland would like to send our thoughts and prayers out to Juliana & her family.

"We are happy to hear she is home. We wish her a speedy recovery."