President Trump joked Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security will have to teach detainees how to avoid scaly reptiles, as he left the White House to visit Florida’s new “Alligator Alcatraz” immigrant detention facility.

“We’re going to teach them how to run away from an alligator, OK, if they escape from prison. How to run away. Don’t run in a straight line. Run like this,” the president said, making a zigzag motion with his hands.

“You know what? Their chances go up about 1%,” he added.

Mr. Trump was referring to a common but mistaken belief that running in a zigzag pattern can thwart a gator. In fact, experts say, it backfires because it lessens the distance an alligator needs to cover if it takes a straight line.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican and one-time political opponent of Mr. Trump, is unveiling the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility on Tuesday, calling it a way for his state to help the president reach his mass deportation goals.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it needs more detention beds to boost its deportation numbers.

Mr. DeSantis said in May that Florida was ready to provide thousands of new detention beds as well as offer assistance in transporting ICE detainees — as long as Uncle Sam picks up the tab.

The “Alligator Alcatraz” facility — or “Gator Gitmo,” as some have labeled it — has drawn the ire of immigrant rights groups who say the concept is demeaning.

“Anyone who supports this is a disgusting excuse for a human being, let alone a public servant,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost, Florida Democrat.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.