how many alligators in alabama how many alligators in alabama

Of the Carolinas, South Carolina is the most alligator-infested state. According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, there are around 70,000 alligators living in Alabama today. The American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis) can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous, but it mostly lives in coastal marshes. Female alligators max out at nine feet long, while male alligators can reach 15 feet. A child or a pet splashing in water can be intercepted and interpreted by an alligator intelligence to mean an easy meal. Both inject painful venom into the skin, so if you are stung, seek immediate medical attention. History Channel's ' Swamp People ' is a reality series that follows various gator hunters and their activities in swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin and other swamplands in Louisiana (and Texas). An alligator is protective of her family. It is one of two living species in the genus Alligator within the family Alligatoridae; it is larger than the other extant alligator species, the Chinese alligator. The crime rate is low and the state is a great place to raise a family. We can swim, and every moment in water is a struggle. Alligators are endemic to the tidal marshes and wetlandsof the southeastern states, but people getting killed by alligators is extremely rare, Adam Rosenblatt, assistant professor of biology at the University of North Florida told Live Science. When this occurs these alligators typically must be euthanized due to future safety concerns. Have some feedback for us? The department promotes wise stewardship and enjoyment of the states natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Avoid any alligator nests, even if they look desertedMom probably isnt too far away. Dont try to get closer to take photos, said Marianne Hudson with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. How many people are killed by alligators in the US each year? However, there are occasional sightings in more northerly latitudes, though the population of gators in the northern half of the state is minimal. Their entire bodies are covered with large horny plates which protect them from predators and other alligators. Alligators are commonly mistaken with the American crocodile and caiman but they can be distinguished by their black and yellow-white coloration and more rounded snout. Dont Throw Fish Scraps in the Water Dispose of fish scraps properly in garbage cans at boat ramps, fish camps, or when cleaning fish near water. In addition to having alligator farms in southern Alabama, alligators are regularly spotted in the wild. While in Alabama, take the chance to swim in one of the top-ranking swimming holes in the state, Little River Canyon. Although in Alabama, alligators have the freedom to live freely in nature. Alabamas climate, geographical features, and vegetation offer a natural habitat conducive to alligators survival. A lot of human-alligator conflicts occur when alligators get provoked, both intentionally and unintentionally, or when alligators go after peoples pets, he said. In 1938, Alabama was the first state to protect alligators. The alligators in Alabama are currently around 70,000. 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. Supporting those divisions are seven support sections: Accounting, Diversity and Recruiting, Engineering, Information and Education, Information Technology, Legal, and Personnel and Payroll. Instead, find another beach at Gulf Shores that is open for swimming, so you can safely enjoy the day. The reptiles inhabit similar territoriesalligators and crocodiles exist on other continents. According to conservation organization Share the Beach, the gator was seen on the far west end of the island and was most likely hunting for sea turtle eggs. On 15 June 2016, a two-year-old boy was dragged into the water by an American alligator in Orlando, Florida. Quick Answer: Where Is Bear Creek Alabama, Quick Answer: Where Is Eight Mile Alabama. It is dangerous to approach an alligator or try to move one. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. An alligators menu grows and widens with agealligators capture when young people feed on insects, tadpoles, fish fingerings, and small creatures. You can spot large gator groups in April, May, and June because of mating. Do alligators appear on Gulf Shores beaches? 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. This area is home to many different types of marine life and the threat is relatively low. Permit and alligator trapping license for non-residents: $1,022. The Alabama River is a river located in the U.S. state of Alabama. Although initially, you could only find alligators in southern Alabama, reports of their sightings in the northern parts are increasing. For this year's hunting season, which starts Aug. 11, the state will issue 260 permits. Her nonfiction work focuses on animals, nature, and conservation. In South Carolina, alligator tags entail a $10 non-refundable fee and a $100 alligator permit fee when successfully selected. Lottery applications are . A coastal city in Alabama is warning residents to watch out for alligators when they go about everyday activities, as the reptiles have been sighted in large numbers in unlikely places, following heavy rain. As one of only 10 states that play home to gators, Alabama is no stranger to these wild, carnivorous reptiles. Unlike saltwater crocodiles, alligators cant stomach salt water and spend only brief periods of time in brackish water. Given its location on the ocean with many rivers, streams, marshes, lagoons, and lakes in the area, this begs the question: are there alligators in Gulf Shores, Alabama? Why look for engulfment with this creature in water? It would be best if you got a guide when embarking on the trail. Handling even small alligators can result in injury. 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. Of course, you can always cool off and swim in one of north Alabamas beautiful eight lakes: Bear Creek Lakes, Lake Guntersville, Neely Henry Lake, Pickwick Lake, Smith Lake, Weiss Lake, Wheeler Lake, and Wilson Lake. If telling you not to swim with them isnt enough, you must go in the water, take off all jewelry, and dont wear shiny clothing. Jade Bremner. While many dont know it, gators live through many regions of North Carolina. In fact, almost all gators can be found south of the fall line, a line that travels through Columbus, Macon, and Augusta. Experts say there are around 70,000 alligators in the rivers and lakes of Southern Alabama. Even though they were removed from the Endangered Species List in 1987, the American alligator remains federally protected due to similarity in appearance to other species. 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. Discover Why Alligators Wont Cross Georgias Fall Line, Huge Florida Gator Eats a Smaller Florida Gator in Most Florida Video Ever, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Available here: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/species/detail/american-alligator#:~:text=Louisiana%20and%20Florida%20have%20the,common%20in%20our%20coastal%20marshes. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the American alligator on the Endangered Species List. Males can grow to 19 feet in length and weigh up to 900 pounds, while females tend to be somewhat smaller on average. Alligators are more abundant in Florida. Call 9-1-1 immediately if the situation is urgent. Alligators seek to stay away from humans and only attack when provoked. Of these yearlings, 8 will become subadults (reach 4 feet in . A gator bite can lead to a fatality or inflict a life-changing injury. Which Places Can You Visit To See An Alligator In Alabama? Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The alligators will eventually change their behavior, and instead of shying away from men, they can begin to approach men aiming to get a meal. Almost all of the high-density populations of alligators live south of the Albermarle sound, although some individuals have been reported through the entire coastal region of the state. Alligators have wide, U-shaped snouts, while crocodiles have long, V-shaped ones. alligators that allow hunters with permits to kill or facilitate the removal of alligators. Like Louisiana, Florida has a massive area of swampland (the Everglades), and the year-round sun makes for ideal conditions for the gators. While its best never to enter the water with gators, hold back on tossing fish guts and other alligator delicacies in the water. Are there safe places where I can swim in Alabama? American alligators werent actually placed on the endangered species list until 1967. After fighting with this angry gator for more than an hour, Tom Grant and his buddies were able to wrestle it to shore. Identification . 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. Their most distinctive feature is their head, which is long and filled with up to 80 teeth at a time. The Mobile-Tensaw river delta offers you a lifetime experience of paddling the Bartram Canoe Trail. Alligators are carnivores and feed on whatever food is available. However, the freezing temperatures of north Alabama threaten alligator hatchlings survival. The crocodilian family has 13 species worldwide, whereas the alligator only has American and Chinese species. So, you cant harass, feed, or own an alligator in Alabama. Being exposed to the sun all day and swimming in salt water can cause your body to become rapidly dehydrated, which can cause considerable damage to your body. Are there alligators in Alabama Gulf Shores? Also, crocs require hotter temperatures to survive, while alligators can withstand freezing lakes. There is an estimated population of 1,000+ alligators that live in North Carolina, with that number seemingly increasing a bit each year. Adult alligators feed on fish, mammals, birds and other alligators. Children and Pets Are A No In Waters Infested With Alligators. You can also distinguish them by examining the color of their skin. There are 9 states that have alligators: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. In 1938, Alabama was thefirst state to protect alligators. Alligators are an important part of Alabamas landscape and play a valuable role in the ecology of our states wetlands. Remember to keep your pets on a leash at all times, especially when close to any body of water.. Alligators prefer living in fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers and their associated wetlands. With a belly girth of 65", the Tom Grant's alligator was one of the largest . The American alligator is one of the largest reptiles in the world. First-time Alabama alligator hunters celebrate record catch 00:24. Alabama has initiated a regulated hunting season to assist with the management and population control of alligators. Alligators prefer water that is 80 to 92 F, but adults have been found in areas where temperatures reach well below that range. Stokes and her crew took the gator in Mill Creek, a tributary of the Alabama River. Approximately 1.25 million alligators live in Florida, with around 200,000 in the Everglades. What is the number one attraction in Alabama? Gators in the state prefer wetlands, lakes, rivers, and even a few reservoirs. Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states. Absolutely leave it alone. A hunting season for American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis) will be open in five hunt zones of Alabama. Dauphin Island. 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. To find out how many alligators live in Alabama, its important to know how to identify an alligator. Watch Your Pets Pets are similar in size to natural prey of alligators and their movements will often attract an alligators interest. the opening of the newly renovated Gator Alley Boardwalk in Daphne, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. In captivity, alligators can live much longer. The easiest way to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator is by looking at their snouts. By comparison the Atchafalaya Basin swamp (the Landry's gator hunting area) is about 207,000 acres. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The alligator populations in Alabama remain healthy. Alligators prefer living in fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers and their associated wetlands. Most of the gators fall in the lower half of the state, with populations in the northern half being nearly non-existent. The registration for that closes in July. Alligators have a u-shaped snout with a jaw that closes downward, thus only exposing the top teeth set. This popular swimming hole, which is named Blue Hole, is located within the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, in Pinson, Alabamajust 15 miles from Birmingham. Alligators are known to prey on small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and other aquatic life. Recently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel in West Tennessee at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. Adult male American alligators measure 3.4 to 4.6 m (11 to 15 ft) in length, and can weigh 453 kg (999 lb). Have some feedback for us? According to the Alabama Extension Service, there are two types of crocodilian species in the U.S: crocodiles and alligators. Its a common misconception that they are limited to water, said Hudson. Alligators are a top predator species and help keep other animal populations in balance. jaimie tuchman/Shutterstock.com. Bites of a few species of the rear-fanged snakes sometimes cause harm, but the effects vary. South Carolina has around 100,000 gators within its borders, primarily in the south and along the coast. About 70,000 alligators live in Alabama. It measured 15 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 1,011.5 pounds. Lucky for them, Alabama has plenty of sources of fresh water for gators to choose from, including lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Arkansas has had an increasing population of alligators each year, especially as the temperature warms due to climate change. Any standing body of water in Florida could house a gator, making swamps, rivers, lakes, and drainage pools all potentially dangerous. Wild alligators rarely chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles an hour on short land distances. Alligators will fight other alligators to defend their territory and young. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Gulf Shores offers the perfect habitat for freshwater bodies, marshes, and other free-flowing water entities. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says looking from a distance is fine. An Associated Press report from 2019 said alligator reports in the Tennessee River date back to 1894. People are to avoid heavy vegetation in or near the water's edge. Crocs are significantly larger than alligators, maxing out in size at 23 feet. Habitat in the northern half of the state is marginal. Alligators are a protected species in Alabama. Alligators fingerlings struggle to survive the harsh cold temperatures of the north. 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. Alabama Alligator in a river. Beat the excessive summer cooling off in Alabama in a lake, creek, or river. And theyve been here for decades. With around 70,000 gators, it might seem like Alabama has more alligators than any other state. The Yellowhammer state does allow younger hunters 16 and up to . About 1/3 of alligator nests are destroyed by predators (mainly raccoons) or flooding. A 3.5-foot baby alligator was found at the Links golf course in June 2020. Book an airboat ride today or call us at 407-901-2563 for more information. They can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. Mama alligator incubates her eggs using nature in a nest built of mud and vegetation. Oklahoma is home to between 100-200 individuals, but they constitute a stable population. Pratik Handore. A vacation in Alabama will give you and your loved ones a memorable adventure. When it comes to dangerous nature in Alabama, this place might take the cake. Shark attacks occur more than alligator attacks but are uncommon. Today, we are going to compare the states with alligators and see which one has the most. The 194 miles long river is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama. However, with human populations continuing to expand, interaction between people and alligators can be expected. The Largest Crocodile. Crocodiles are green, grey, brown, or black with a camouflage pattern. The authorities are warning people to be extra vigilant when walking their dogs in the Baldwin County city. Baby alligators grow a foot yearly in the early four years of life. Therefore, if youre wearing something shiny, this could attract gators, thinking youre their next meal. Range and Habitat Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Understanding the natural behavior of this species can help prevent negative encounters for yourself and others. The other gator species is the Chinese alligator, which is becoming extinct due to the overdevelopment of its habitat. Here, well find out just how many alligators live in Alabama, and where exactly you can find them. This large alligator was seen at Test Area 1 in the early-2000s. If you know there are gators in the water, then stay at least ten feet back from the shoreline. Talk to one of our biologist about whether or not theres an issue that needs to be addressed as far as protecting human property or human safety, said Hudson.