The American alligator can grow up to 11.2 feet (3.4 meters) long and weigh nearly half a ton (1,000 lbs. That means never trap them in a corner or an area where they feel provoked, or they will fight back. The trail is for use by cyclists, hikers, and joggers alike. Furthermore, although both species are carnivorous apex predators that hunt for food on land and in water alike, alligators prefer smaller prey like fish, whereas crocodiles often feed on larger animals such as deer or pigs. Her nonfiction work focuses on animals, nature, and conservation. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Adult alligators are opportunistic and will feed on anything from fish, snakes, turtles, birds, muskrats, nutria, and otters, to raccoons, feral pigs, deer, and even other alligators. Keeping alligators - or any other wild animals - as pets is, to put it bluntly, a horrible idea. Experts maintain that a safe distance from an alligator is around 60 feet. The sugar-white sand beaches are perfect for relaxing, and the town boasts a variety of incredible lodging options, fun-filled activities, and local restaurants. Alligators are found in 120 of Texas' 254 counties. Approaching an area where a mother alligator is nursing her babies is offensive and considered a threat. Pratik Handore. There are only two species of alligator; the American alligator, and the Chinese alligator. Although alligators are naturally shy of humans, they can become aggressive if harassed, provoked, or purposely fed. Feeding alligators will make the reptiles start to see man as a food source. There are plenty of other dangers when swimming in Gulf Shores than alligators, especially the suns damaging UV rays and pop-up thunderstorms, so focus on having a plan for each of these hazards first. In addition, when youre in the comfortable water, its challenging to realize that youre baking in the sun, so setting a timer on your smartwatch to reapply sunscreen every 20 minutes or each time you exit the water is necessary to ensure safety. Louisiana has the most alligators of all of the states, with over two million gators residing there. Today, we are going to compare the states with alligators and see which one has the most. Always Be Alert When in or near fresh or brackish water, always be aware of possible encounters with alligators. An alligator mother lays 30 70 eggs for her brood. However, increased sightings in these areas may indicate a northern expansion of their historic range. The chance of someone being attacked is one in 3.2 million. Also, if youre drinking alcohol on the beach, its even more important to bring plenty of water to drink throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Fish and Wildlife Service. What is the most dangerous animal in Alabama? Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail, https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=467475161060988&ev=PageView&noscript=1. Alligators, like many reptiles are 'plantigrade'. Watch This Florida Woman Feed an Alligator Up-Close, With Predictable Ending. The aim is to discourage human interaction and to maintain the respect alligators accord humans. Lets take a look at Alabamas own native crocodilian, the American alligator. A child or a pet splashing in water can be intercepted and interpreted by an alligator intelligence to mean an easy meal. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. They will cover the eggs with whatever vegetation is available in the habitat in which they live to form a mound. Alligators are fascinating creatures, which is why scientists enjoy studying them. Call 9-1-1 immediately if the situation is urgent. Other states soon followed, and in 1967, the U.S. The state's large alligator population is largely due to the fact that Alabama first enacted laws to protect alligators all the way back in 1938. Although there arent as many gators in Georgia as in the top three states, there are still plenty! Size: Male alligators range from 11 to 12 feet long and weigh between 400 and 500 pounds. Alligators generally live for around 30 to 50 years in the wild, although they have been known to reach ages of up to 70 or 80. What Biden might try next if student loan plan struck, Family of cold-case victim gets justice after 40, Suspect at-large after Dothan bar shooting injures, WATCH: Carjacking suspect caught after wild chase, 2 inmates found unresponsive at Limestone Correctional, 3 arrested for large quantity of methamphetamines, Moulton man allegedly found with meth, xanax, Taco Bell murder suspect pens second letter to, PHOTOS: Storm damage, road closures across North, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. West Beach. Alligators can be found in the coastal, southeastern states as far north as North Carolina, and as far west as the Rio Grande River in Texas. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas have problem or nuisance alligator control programs that allow permitted hunters to kill or facilitate the removal of nuisance alligators. Only 10 alligator hatchlings will live to one year. Dont try to get closer to take photos, said Marianne Hudson with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It may come as no surprise that Louisiana is the most alligator-infested state in the entire US. So if an alligator hisses or lunges toward you, you are much too close for their comfort and should move away. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. If an alligator is causing problems, do not take it into your own hands. Understanding the natural behavior of this species can help prevent negative encounters for yourself and others. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Range and Habitat Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. About 70,000 alligators live in Alabama. Some individuals have been recorded living more than 100 years! It's also a draw-only hunt. But, just how do you stay safe around these apex predators? Its a common misconception that they are limited to water, said Hudson. A section (0.1 miles) of the two miles of hiking trails in the park has boardwalks over murky waters of an inlet to Mobile Bay. In addition, alligators have been introduced to several locations outside of their natural range, including parts of North America, Hawaii, Iran, Japan, the Cayman Islands, and even France. Remember to keep your pets on a leash at all times, especially when close to any body of water.. The worst years for fatalities were 2001 and 2006, with three people dying each of those years from Florida alligator attacks. As one of only 10 states that play home to gators, Alabama is no stranger to these wild, carnivorous reptiles. There are legitimate environmental issues affecting our Bay and our communities, but the data available does not support the belief that our Bay is not safe for swimming or for fishing. You can see an alligator in the Gulf Coast town without going far into the wild. Alligators can be taken legally only by individuals with proper licenses or permits. Distribution of the American alligator in Alabama is typically limited to the southern half of the state, mostly due to habitat and temperature requirements. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. Lets discover: The 10 most alligator-infested states: Ranked. Alligator Alley in the town of Daphne is one of the best places to watch alligators. According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, there are around 70,000 alligators living in Alabama today. If you know there are gators in the water, then stay at least ten feet back from the shoreline. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Adult alligators feed on fish, mammals, birds and other alligators. Fairhope. By comparison the Atchafalaya Basin swamp (the Landry's gator hunting area) is about 207,000 acres. With the opening of the newly renovated Gator Alley Boardwalk in Daphne, it's time to review some facts about Alabama alligators along with some tips in being safe around the reptile's habitat. Alligators feature dark green color with small black spots near their jaw. Lake Forest, Eufala, and Big creek are other water bodies where alligators have found a home in Alabama. Alligators are some of the most interesting animals that live in the United States. Registration begins at 8:00 AM CDT on June 7, 2022 (8:00 a.m. CDT) and ends July 13, 2022 (8:00 a.m. CDT). Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. No alcoholic beverages. However, there are many dangerous animals in Alabama.Table of Contents show Spiders. We can swim, and every moment in water is a struggle. However, the freezing temperatures of north Alabama threaten alligator hatchlings survival. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Selections for each zone will be held at 12:00 PM CDT on the second Wednesday of July. Residents warned as alligators take over Alabama city after heavy rain 'I have lived here for over 30 years and never seen so many gators,' says one Daphne resident . Its well understood that people have relocated alligators from the southern reaches of the state. U.S. Space & Rocket Center is Alabamas Number One Tourism Attraction. It is not known if it is in the lakes at dusk or dawn. Since the beach is situated on the saltwater coastline and alligators cannot digest salt, they wont hang around for long, returning to their freshwater habitats of inland lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes. Alabama is home to turkeys, black bears, a wide variety of snakes, and yes, alligators. Places you can swim without fear of alligators in Alabama, Safety Tips When Swimming In Alligator Infested Waters. Although they may not be as abundant or widespread elsewhere as in the USA, its clear that alligators are a global species with many populations living outside of the US boundaries. Splashing and moving around will draw attention to you, and the gator could think youre prey. Like Louisiana, Florida has a massive area of swampland (the Everglades), and the year-round sun makes for ideal conditions for the gators. Fish scales reflect in the sun, which helps alligators hunt their prey. It is black with yellow banding when young and is generally brownish when adult. In the more populated beach areas of Gulf Shores, sharks tend to stay away from humans, similar to the mindset of alligators; however, if you see the fin above the water, exit immediately and notify a lifeguard. The only places that gators live in Oklahoma are the Red and Little Rivers, primarily in around Choctaw, Bryan, McCurtain, and Love counties. The larger the reptile, the more daring it becomes when targeting prey. Unlike saltwater crocodiles, alligators cant stomach salt water and spend only brief periods of time in brackish water. Otherwise, one can easily get lost in the jungle. 6. Alabama has initiated a regulated hunting season to assist with the management and population control of alligators. Alligator kills 85-year-old woman walking her dog in Florida retirement community, Fox News, the Murdochs and backstage Trump whispers: The damning Dominion revelations, Residents warned as alligators take over Alabama city due to rain, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. They can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. According to scientific classification, the commonly identified alligators are the American Alligator, a native only in America, and the Chinese Alligators roaming in Chinese waters. But in 2014, the "Stokes alligator" was caught in the Alabama River, bout 100 miles north of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. For more information on Alabamas alligators, contact Justin Monk, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 30571 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL 36527; phone 251-626-5474. Alligator Infested Lakes: How Many Alligators Live in Texas Lake Lewisville? Alligators are cold-blooded and live in warm areas. So, you cant harass, feed, or own an alligator in Alabama. You can spot large gator groups in April, May, and June because of mating. Come and interact with our heritage Alligators while paddling, hiking, riding, or even strolling within the parks. In addition to creating unpredictable rip currents in the water, flash flooding and the chance of being struck by lightning are real threats when visiting. Alligators are present in most southern states of U.S. water bodies. We strictly advise not to swim in water bodies harboring alligators. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, WHNT News 19 Sales Team Broadcast and Digital, please call one of our wildlife district offices, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, One transported to hospital after wreck near Rocket, Colbert DTF finds large amount of fentanyl, other. What is the biggest alligator ever caught in Alabama? The state does offer a limited number of hunting licences per year, which must be applied for in advance. Alligators prefer living in fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers and their associated wetlands. Alligators . It's estimated that 79 per cent of Louisiana's coastal marshes are privately owned alligator habitat. Louisiana us almost 33 1/2 million acres total and 4.5 million acres are alligator habitat with 3 million of it being the coastal marshes. You will get to see alligators in the rivers Perdido and Escambia. Providing food may not only make alligators more aggressive and encourage them to seek out people, it may also alter their natural diet in an unhealthy way, said the city. During mating season, female alligators lay 30-40 eggs, which incubate for 60-65 days. Nuisance alligators have to be removed each year because of this problem. These reptiles can be found from the Sabine River to the Gulf of Mexico and the coastal marshes near the Rio Grande. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, "the American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. The most recent data shows that Louisiana is home to over 2 million wild alligators across the state, with an additional 1 million located on farms. Alligators have had a growing presence in North Alabama dating back to the 70's when more than 50 were introduced to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. The lakes in Alabama have swimming sites where you can enjoy your strokes and water maneuvers. Providing food for wild alligators can make them bolder and more apt to seek out humans. Alligators will attack or defend themselves by biting their victim. The world's largest American alligator ever killed in the wild is on display for the first time since it was caught on the Alabama River. While they can venture into the saline waters of the Gulf of Mexico for a brief time, its uncommon since their habitat is freshwater. However, there are tips for swimming with these creatures. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Alligators have had a growing presence in North Alabama dating back to the 70s when more than 50 were introduced to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. Alligators. Therefore, an alligator attack is rare unless they feel threatened or provoked. The Mobile-Tensaw river delta offers you a lifetime experience of paddling the Bartram Canoe Trail. However, dont expect to find them living in the salty waters of the gulf. Crocs are opportunistic predators, which means they will attack any living creature that moves, considering their prey, even humans. Human/alligator conflicts are rare. The American alligator is one of the largest reptiles in the world.
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