The American Alligator
(Alligator mississipiensis)

In 1987, the american alligator became
the official state reptile of Florida.

When visiting the University of Florida, many if not most people are surprised to hear that alligators live in the lake and ponds on campus. Some non-believers have to be taken to Lake Alice, in the center of campus, and shown good size alligators swimming in the water and basking in the sun on small islands and along the shore line.

These alligators are not caged. If you ask, "where do the alligators go?", the answer is, "anywhere they want to go." They breed, lay eggs, have young and roam freely about the area. You can look, but do not feed. They may be cute when they are hatching, but when they get bigger you better keep a safe distance away.

Maybe you thought about doing some fresh water fishing while in Florida? There are many lakes in the area with all types of fish. BUT, do you see that "log" floating in the water? Take a closer look. That is NOT a log! Maybe you would rather waterski?

Now that you know how common these animals are in Florida, let us take a closer look at what we live with.

The alligators are not an endangered species but they are legally protected.

They are classified as a threatened species because of their similarity in appearance to the American Crocodile, an endangered species.

Alligators are remnants of a prehistoric era. When dinosaurs became extinct, these modern day contemporaries of dinosaurs continued to flourish and have survived their prehistoric relatives into the 20th century.

There are two true species of alligators -- American and Chinese. Spanish explorers in the New World were the first Europeans to see the American version, and they named it el lagarto, the lizard.

Contents of this Document:

This document consists of separate sections. You may either browse through the entire document, or jump directly to any of the following sections by clicking on them.

Alligator Populations -- Past and Present

Writing of the St. Johns River during the late 1770's naturalist William Bartram noted that "alligators are in such incredible numbers and so close together from shore to shore that it would have been easy to have walked across on their heads had the animals been harmless."

American alligators undoubtedly were numerous in Florida well into the 20th century, although never in the numbers Bartram so lavishly described. However, as a result of unregulated and unrestricted harvest, the Florida alligator population had noticeably decreased by the early 1940's. Imposition of hunting restrictions in the 1940's and 50's slowed the decline, but illegal poaching during the late 1950's and 60's resulted in a further decrease in most Florida alligator populations.

Despite the complete protection of alligators under a 1962 Florida law, extensive alligator poaching continued until 1970. At that time, an amendment to the federal Lacey Act made the interstate shipment of illegally-taken alligators a federal violation.

This act, combined with the reduced demand for alligator skins resulting from a decline in many traditional retail markets, virtually eliminated poaching. Although much has been said about the poaching of Florida's alligators during the 1960's, alligators remained abundant in remote and inaccessible areas. The rapid recovery of the reptiles throughout the 1970's, once they were effectively protected, suggests they endured poaching better than once thought.

In 1974, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission began conducting alligator population surveys to document annual population trends. Results show a progressive increase from 1974 to the present.

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Alligator Habitats in Florida

Alligators live in all Florida counties but are most common in the major river drainage basins and large lakes in the central and southern portions of the state. They also can be found in marshes, swamps, ponds, drainage canals, phosphate-mine settling ponds, and ditches. Alligators are tolerant of poor water-quality and occasionally inhabit brackish marshes along the coast. A few even venture into salt water.

Mature alligators seek open water areas during the April-to-May courtship and breeding season. After mating, the females move into marsh areas to nest in June and early July where they remain until the following spring. Males generally prefer open an deeper water year-round. Alligators less than four feet long typically inhabit the marshy areas of lakes and rivers. Dense vegetation in these habitats provides protective cover and many of the preferred foods of young alligators.

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Alligator Reproduction

Sexual maturity is dependent on the size of the alligator, and both sexes first reach sexual maturity when they are about six feet long. In the wild, this takes about 10 to 12 years; however, in captivity, under ideal conditions, alligators can reach sexual maturity much sooner.

After mating, females construct mounded nests of whatever vegetation is available. In late June and early July they lay 35 to 50 eggs, although nests have been found with only a single egg or as many as 88 eggs. After laying, the female cover the eggs with a layer of vegetation. Throughout the 65-day incubation period, females remain nearby and some may defend their nests against predators. In Florida, raccoons are the predominant egg predator. Nesting success varies from area to area, but a success rate of about 50 percent is considered normal.

As young alligators get ready to hatch in mid-August through mid-September, they begin to make high-pitched, grunting sounds. The females respond to these calls by using their mouths and forefeet to remove the nesting material covering the young, thus liberating the six-to-eight-inch hatchlings from the nest.

Hatchlings remain in groups called "pods" at least through their first winter and may stay in the vicinity of the nest for two to three years. Female alligators may defend their young until the next summer.

The first two years are the most critical in the life of an alligator. Eighty percent or more may fall victim to wading birds, raccoons, bobcats, otters, snakes, large bass and even larger alligators. Once an alligator exceeds four feet, it is relatively safe from predators, but may still be vulnerable to cannibalism.

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Feeding Habits

Alligators are carnivores. Young alligators eat insects, snails and other invertebrates, frogs and small fish. At a length of about six feet they begin to feed predominantly on fish, turtles, snakes, waterbirds, and small mammals. Larger alligators readily eat carrion and, in fact, may prefer it to fresh meat. They are basically opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything, including such objects as sticks, stones, fishing lures and aluminum cans.

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Other Behavioral Activities

Although alligators don't hibernate in the true sense, they do undergo periods of dormancy in cold weather. It's common for an alligator to excavate a cave in the bank of a waterway and enlarge the inner chamber so a portion is above the water level. Alligators in north Florida are inactive during the coldest winter months. Throughout the rest of the state they generally remain active year-round.

Females usually have small territories, while males can occupy ranges greater than two square miles. Researchers in Louisiana tracked one adult male for 33 miles through the marshes. Individuals of both sexes are most likely to become more active and extend their ranges during the April-to-May courtship and breeding season.

Young alligators stay in the area where they were hatched until they are approximately two to three years old. They then begin to disperse in search of food, perhaps driven away by larger alligators to relocated if their water holes dry up.

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Value of Meat and Hides

Alligators have been hunted for meat and skins since humans first set food in Florida. Alligator skins were sold in the Miami area for $7 each as early as 1800.

There is little doubt alligators were over-exploited largely because of the demand for alligator leather.

Today, through strict laws, alligators may be harvested during very limited, controlled hunts and are propagated and raised in captivity for the production of meat and skins. This multimillion dollar industry, along with carefully regulated wild alligator harvests, generates approximately 300,000 pounds of meat and 15,000 skins each year. The meat is typically sold to restaurants and wholesalers for about $5 to $7 per pound. Alligator skins are sold to leather tanneries throughout the world. Prices for skins vary considerably from year to year but have averaged about $25 per foot over the past 10 years.

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Alligator Harvest Permits

In designated bodies of water throughout the state, the Commission allows trappers to harvest a limited number of alligators each year. To apply for an alligator harvest permit to participate in this controlled harvest, the following guidelines apply:

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Alligators and Humans

Florida's human population, currently 12.5 million, is increasing by 900 each day. As a result of urbanization around traditional alligator habitats there has been increased contact between people and alligators.

The adaptability of the alligator to man's encroachment on the reptiles natural habitat has resulted in alligators being found in what would seem to be unlikely places: underneath cars on driveways and in drainage ditches, swimming pools and golf course water hazards.

An alligator's awesome countenance and menacing jaws evoke fear and respect from humans. Although the alligator is a predator, its appetite includes almost anything and, unfortunately, there have been a small number of tragic alligator attacks on people. Even though the risk of a person being injured or killed by an alligator is very low, it does exist.

Despite all this, some visitors and state residents still delight in feeding alligators. This results in the reptiles overcoming their natural shyness and becoming accustomed to humans. Some have become so used to humans and food handouts that they exhibit little, if any, fear of man.

Apart from the risk people impose upon themselves by feeding an alligator, they are also conditioning the animal to associate people with food. For this reason, Florida law prohibits feeding of wild alligators.

To prevent the loss of pets to alligators, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission recommends that persons not allow pets to swim in water occupied by large alligators. To eliminate the risk of alligator attacks on humans, it is also advisable to avoid swimming in areas inhabited by large alligators, especially at dusk or at night when the reptiles often feed.

Alligators six feet or larger present the greatest hazard. Smaller alligators, four feet or less, pose little threat to people, but a bite from any alligator could result in serious infection. Regardless of how minor a bite appears, it would be wise to consult a physician immediately.

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If You Should Encounter An Alligator...

Under no circumstances should you approach an alligator closely. They are quite agile, even on land. As with any wild animal, alligators merit a measure of respect.

If an alligator represents a serious threat to humans, pets or livestock, the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission is equipped to handle the problem. Call your regional Commission office if an alligator becomes a nuisance.

Alligators are classified as a threatened species and thus enjoy the protection of state and federal law. Only representatives of the Commission are empowered to handle nuisance alligators.

If a serious problem does exist, contact the Commission regional office nearest you.

Alligators were here long before us and have proven remarkably adaptable. Many conflicts between alligators and people are perhaps perceived rather than real. Good judgement can reduce serious incidents to a minimum.

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Summary:

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Living With Alligators

Alligators and humans have shared the marshes, swamps and lakes of the southeastern United States for many centuries. Native Indians and early European pioneers occasionally utilized this reptile for food, but not until fashion markets began producing alligator skin products did this prehistoric reptile become heavily hunted. A century of unrestricted and unregulated hunting depleted most accessible populations.

Even after the passage of state regulations governing the harvest of alligators during the 1940's, alligator populations continued to decline due to extensive poaching. It was not until 1970, when federal laws prohibited the interstate shipment of alligators, that these reptiles were afforded effective protection. The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 provided further support.

Shortly after their protection began, alligators rapidly repopulated areas once heavily hunted. Surveys established by the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission indicated progressive increased from 1974 to 1985. During that same period Florida experienced tremendous human population growth. That trend continues today, with approximately 1,000 people moving to Florida daily. Many of these new residents seek homes on waterfront property, resulting in increased interactions between humans and alligators.

Although most Floridians have learned to coexist with alligators, the potential for conflict always exists. Because of their predatory nature and large size, alligators can, and occasionally do, attack pets. Regretfully, humans, too, occasionally are attack victims and in rare instances are killed by large alligators. Between 1973 and 1990, 127 alligator attacks on humans were documented with five of those resulting in fatalities. Although this number of attacks may seem high, they constitute a very small percentage of water- related incidents compared to those involving water skiing, scuba diving and boating mishaps.

Even though human/alligator interactions rarely result in attacks, there are many precautions that people can take to reduce potential conflicts. There are some everyday safety tips and "do/don't" suggestions for avoiding potential conflicts with alligators listed below:

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Safety Tips

The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission receives nearly 10,000 alligator-related complaints annually. The vast majority of these complaints deal with alligators occurring in places such as garages, back yards, pools, golfcourse water hazards and ditches. In many cases, if left unmolested, alligators eventually will retreat to more preferred habitats away from people.

However, if you encounter an animal that poses a threat to human safety:

Florida contains approximately 7,500 freshwater lakes and tens of thousands of acres of marsh and wooded swamp. Many of these areas attract people for a variety of water-related activities, including swimming, skiing, fishing and hunting.

To ensure the time you spend in or around water does not result in conflicts with alligators:

Prior to their legal protection, alligators were sold in pet stores and souvenirs shops as novelty items. Florida law now strictly protects alligators, and only specially licenses persons may possess a live alligator.

Therefore, it is recommend that you:

Based on fossil records, scientists have determined that crocodilians have existed for about 150 million years, surviving beyond dinosaurs and flying reptiles. Today, however, habitat destruction and indiscriminate hunting endanger many crocodilian species. In the United States, most alligator populations have rebounded from hunting and poaching pressure due to effective laws regulating the taking and transportation of alligators and alligator products.

In Florida, rapidly increasing populations of both people and alligators have led to a progressive rise in the number of alligator-related complaints. Although the majority of problems with alligators relate to their being in places where they aren't wanted, a small number are tragically linked to alligator attacks. The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission removes approximately 4,000 alligators per year to reduce opportunities for such tragic occurrences. Through the removal of these alligators and increased awareness on the part of the public, the number of alligator attached that occur annually has remained constant in spite of the increases in alligator and human populations in Florida.

Residents and visitors alike must realize that alligators are an important part of Florida's heritage, and these prehistoric reptiles play an important role in the ecology of Florida's wetlands. An understanding of the facts and broader knowledge of alligator habits will ensure that human and alligators continue their long-term coexistence.

For Further Information...

Information on a close relative to the alligator can be found at the Crocodile Specialist Group site.

University of Florida sites:

Other sites:

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The majority of the information provided above is from two
publications "American Alligator" and "Living With
Alligators" published by the
Florida Game and Fresh
Water Fish Commission, Farris Bryant Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600.


Alligator photographs were provided by:


Allan R. "Woody" Woodward - Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission,
4005 South Main Street, Gainesville, FL 32601-9099, and


Dr. Howard K. Suzuki, 4331 Northwest 20th Place, Gainesville, FL 32605.


Banner picture provided by Dr. Joseph M. Schaeffer, UF Assistant
Professor in Wildlife