alligator population by state

As such, some of these gators are removed. Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Louisiana has the largest American alligator population of any U.S. state. and early 1960's, but protective action by state and federal governments helped keep them from disappearing completely. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there are between 400,000-500,000 alligators in Texas. When young, alligators eat fish, insects, snails, crustaceans, and worms. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. [21][22] A small population is also found in Tamaulipas, in Mexico. The American alligators from Phoenix, Arizona, were collected (M. Demlong, personal communication 1997); however, Howland (1996) lists this species as "not well established" in Arizona. Alligators consume food that cannot be eaten in one bite by allowing it to rot or by biting and then performing a "death roll", spinning or convulsing wildly until bite-sized chunks are torn off. Of the Carolinas, South Carolina is the most alligator-infested state. Website Accessibility Statement Unexpected effects of predators upon their prey: The case of the American alligator. New! The Spanish name is el Lagarto. [14][15] Another one of the oldest lives on record is that of Muja, an American alligator who was brought as an adult specimen to the Belgrade Zoo in Serbia from Germany in 1937. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 It explains why you may spot them in the streets and other areas where they typically wouldnt roam. .mw-parser-output table.clade{border-spacing:0;margin:0;font-size:100%;line-height:100%;border-collapse:separate;width:auto}.mw-parser-output table.clade table.clade{width:100%;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label{min-width:0.2em;width:0.1em;padding:0 0.15em;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:center;border-left:1px solid;border-bottom:1px solid;white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label::before,.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel::before{content:"\2060 "}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-fixed-width{overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-fixed-width:hover{overflow:visible}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label.first{border-left:none;border-right:none}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label.reverse{border-left:none;border-right:1px solid}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel{padding:0 0.15em;vertical-align:top;text-align:center;border-left:1px solid;white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel:hover{overflow:visible}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel.last{border-left:none;border-right:none}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel.reverse{border-left:none;border-right:1px solid}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-bar{vertical-align:middle;text-align:left;padding:0 0.5em;position:relative}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-bar.reverse{text-align:right;position:relative}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leaf{border:0;padding:0;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leafR{border:0;padding:0;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leaf.reverse{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.clade:hover span.linkA{background-color:yellow}.mw-parser-output table.clade:hover span.linkB{background-color:green}, Alligator mississippiensis American alligator. 210 pp. The alligator population in Alabama is clearly on the increase, and the species is fast becoming a permanent feature of the Alabama wildlife experience. Here are some more places where one can find gators: Back in the 1900s, the alligator faced the danger of extinction. [51] Alligators also have highly folded mucosa in the lining of the intestines to further aid in the absorption of nutrients. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana. However alligators are still vulnerable to microbial infections despite the immune boost from other microbiota. Related Article: Are There Alligators in Texas? Here, the minimum length of an alligator that licensed hunters can harvest is 8-foot. Bend are some of the places that may be included. The two extant species are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis). The majority of American alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators in each state. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. In: C. A. Ross (consulting editor). The states with alligators are Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. These reptiles are usually found in slow-moving freshwater rivers, but also inhabit swamps, marshes, and lakes. Eastern and Central North America. Here are the other counties where one can find lots of gators in North Carolina: For both states, the gators are in the coastal areas, and rarely do they travel inwards. They may kill larger prey by grabbing it and dragging it into the water to drown. Jay Inlsee, a Democrat who sought to make the state a leader on progressive policies from climate change to gun . Mississippi is home to just under 50,000 alligators. The Everglades. Southern Florida is the only place where both alligators and crocodiles live side by side. Crother, B.I. The adult American alligator weighs over 350 kilograms with a length of about four meters. Reports of alligator sightings increased so much that scientists recommended reinstating controlled hunting in Alabama as far back as 2006. [50][48] The alligator's metabolism will also increase after a meal by up to four times its basal metabolic rate. Alligators are cold-blooded and live in warm areas. Social behavior. Their most important economic benefit to humans may be the control of coypu and muskrats. 607 pp. The northern part of the crocodiles range is in South America. [41] The mother defends the nest from predators and assists the hatchlings to water. The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. They also create peat and holes beneficial to other species. If fed, the alligators will eventually lose their fear of humans and will learn to associate humans with food.[34]. A Field Guide to Florida Reptiles and Amphibians. Handbook of Alligators and Crocodiles. Believed to have reached a population of about 250,000 as of 2015, most alligators trapped were about seven feet long. the state of Florida. The mating season is in late spring. In April and May, alligators form so-called "bellowing choruses". Nests constructed on leaves are hotter than those constructed on wet marsh, so the former tend to produce males and the latter, females. Still, 25% of the entire states population lives in the southeastern region. Volume V. Guide to Mexican Amphisbaenians and Crocodilians. [45], The alligator has a similar digestive system to that of the crocodile, with minor differences in morphology and enzyme activity. The baby alligator's egg tooth helps it get out of its egg during hatching time. Their population has grown so much in these areas that they have now become a nuisance in some places. Only Louisiana and Florida hold more wild alligators than Texas. The expansion of Alligators into Tennessee is just one of many species that we must learn to coexist with in our state. Volume VII. The two states with the most gators are Florida and Mississippi. As one of the largest lakes in the state, it has many gators that enjoy the 16,000 acres of lake coverage. Where: Jimmie Davis State Park Conference Center 1209 State Park Rd. Thankfully, not every state has a native population of alligators. Officials with the Wildlife Division estimate alligator populations by surveying alligator territory and counting the number of gators they see. Watch an Alligator Prepare to Attack a Bird Only to Be Eaten by Another Alligator Twice Its Size, Discover Why Alligators Wont Cross Georgias Fall Line, Here's Why Alligator Populations Are Exploding Across Alabama. Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty Limited, Chipping Norton, Australia. 115133. The largest populations occurred in the broad marl prairies to the east and west of the southern ridge and slough and to the mangrove estuaries inhabited by crocodiles. [42][43] In the past, immediately following the outlawing of alligator hunting, populations rebounded quickly due to the suppressed number of adults preying upon juveniles, increasing survival among the young alligators. Smaller alligators can often be found in large numbers close to each other. They also inhabit wetland areas in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Alabama was among the last of the Gulf States to introduce an alligator hunting season. Scientific and common names for the amphibians and reptiles of Mexico in English and Spanish. All A. mississippiensis from Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, and California were collected with no further evidence of established populations (Bury and Luckenbach, 1978; Green and Pauley, 1987; Mitchell, 1994; Minton, 2001). It is the second largest alligator. American alligators can be found in the coastal wetlands of the U.S. Southeast, as far north as North Carolina and as far west as eastern Texas. The air first enters the outer branch, moves through the parabronchi, and exits the lung through the inner branch. Oklahoma is home to between 100-200 individuals, but they constitute a stable population. The American alligator, sometimes known as a gator or common alligator, is the largest reptile in North America.It is part of the crocodile family and occurs in the southeastern parts of the United States. Levell, J. P. 1997. Even if authorities kill some gators, there is no significant impact to the gator population. Louisiana is one of the most populous states in America, with an estimated 9.5 million people. Data released in the aftermath of the ESA's passage provided more confirmation. People are already accustomed to this. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. [12], No average lifespan for an alligator has been measured. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. They were removed from "total protection" status in 1987. The states late entry into legal hunting of alligators is probably one of the main reasons the alligator population grew to the level it has now reached. Indeed, far more Chinese alligators live in zoos around the world than can be found in the wild. 1977. Gainesville, Florida. National Audubon Society First Field Guide. In the US, the alligator was once an endangered species, but thanks to conservation efforts, it has reached a healthy population. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. 191 pp. Alligators' main prey are smaller animals they can kill and eat with a single bite. Coastal marshlands around the state are key breeding grounds for these reptiles. They also conduct nest counts, which count the number of alligator nests in a given location. The estimated alligator population is between 10,000 and 15,000. The answer to this question is no! The only known alligator that is bigger is the Chinese alligator.Furthermore, these alligators are carnivores and eat birds, amphibians, fish, reptiles . Together, these two subfamilies form the family Alligatoridae. The Reptiles of Virginia. Visitors may take swamp tours, in which alligators are a feature. Alligator lifespan depends on a variety of factors such as food availability and climate conditions, but the average life expectancy is still quite long compared to most other animals. There have been more sightings like this both by fishermen in the water bodies in and around Alabama and on land. It was declared the official world record at the time. These microorganisms can be found in the high surface area of the mucosa folds of the intestines, as well as throughout the digestive tract. Its front feet have 5 toes, while rear feet have 4 toes that are webbed. [10] The largest ever recorded, found in Louisiana, measured 5.84m (19.2ft). Wildlife Management: Crocodiles and Alligators. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular. (FWC) is responsible for enforcing the states Alligator Protection Act, which prohibits the possession, sale, transportation, or importation of any gator that is capable of inflicting serious injury or death on a human being. Bibliographic Addendum II. [2023]. Back in the 1960s, the population of American Alligators was so depleted that they were on the verge of becoming extinct. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. How Long Do Alligators Live Alligators have a long lifespan. The alligators spotted in Essex County, New Jersey, may have escaped a lagoon in Military Park, Newark (Anonymous in Mikkelson and Mikkelson, 2001). [25] They are, therefore, considered an important species for maintaining ecological diversity in wetlands. However, some states have larger alligator populations than others. Alabama adopted protective legislation for its American alligator population in 1941, followed by Florida (1961), Louisiana (1962), and Texas (1970). The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Alligator mississippiensis are found here. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York. [33], Alligators are generally timid towards humans and tend to walk or swim away if one approaches. 1993. 552 pp. Table 1. Meshaka, W. E., Jr., W. F. Loftus, and T. Steiner. Arkansas has had an increasing population of alligators each year, especially as the temperature warms due to climate change. The A. mississippiensis in Boulder, Colorado, was collected (Livo et al., 1998). 743 pp. With the restrictions placed on hunting, the market for hides reduced. Alligators are generally more active during the summer, their breeding season. In the state, one can find gators in many swamps, rivers, and lakes. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Wild Alligator Harvests by Harvest Program, Table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators, Alligator Meat Processors and Hide Buyers, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. Alligators can be found in all of Floridas coastal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Everglades, Lake Okeechobee, Biscayne Bay, St. Lucie Bay and the Florida Keys. 1082 pp. If one is interested in seeing gators, the best course of action is to rent a tour and go to the Everglades. Most times, they only attack in response to harassment, so if you ever spot one, the best thing you can do is leave them alone. An alligator attack on land is rare. Some are active in the Buffalo Bayou. This state is home to about 100 animals. 204 pp. [58], Alligators are raised commercially for their meat and their skin, which when tanned is used for the manufacture of luggage, handbags, shoes, belts, and other leather items. In the United States, only 10 states out of 50 have a native alligator population. Are There Alligators In Lake Conway Florida? This information helps TPWD determine trends in the population, assess alligator habitat and establish wise hunting limits for the species. Instead, the reptiles would now be classified as threatened by similarity of appearance. With this designation, controlled hunting will be possible. Unlike crocodiles, they try to avoid conflict with humans. It is believed this portion of the stomach serves a similar function as it does in the gizzard of some species of birds, to aid in digestion. What are the 10 states that have alligators? Keddy, P.A. Palmer and Braswell (1995) provide little detail of nonindigenous A. mississippiensis in North Carolina, but suggest some individuals are "thriving." We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Whats the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in the Mississippi River? World Publications, Tampa. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular (23):i-vi, 1-113. Nightlight surveys are commonly used to evaluate status and trends of crocodilian populations, but imperfect detection caused by survey- and location-specific factors makes it difficult to draw population inferences accurately from uncorrected data. Alligators can be found in almost every state, but they are most common in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia. A month later, a car struck another large gator on the same road. [26] Farther west, in Louisiana, heavy grazing by coypu and muskrat are causing severe damage to coastal wetlands. Many people also relocated alligators from the states southern reaches, which has further aided their increase. Louisiana has the largest alligator population. [47] Once an alligator's meal has been processed it will move on to the second portion of the stomach which is highly acidic. Hunters pay for gator tags from the government each year, which gives them per it to hunt gators and sell them. 1958. 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. 280 pp. In: G. J. W. Webb, S. C. Manolis, and P. J. Whitehead (editors). Despite gator presence, gators do not naturally occur in the north. The American alligator has a large, dark, slightly rounded body and thick limbs. In the future, possible American alligator populations may be found in areas of Mexico adjacent to the Texas border. Ten out of the fifty US states have alligators. Oklahoma (100-200) There is a tiny population of alligators that live in certain southern regions of the state. Some people are beginning to think that these gators are a nuisance. No. Facts on File, Inc., New York. However, there are no crocodiles in Mississippi. Listening to Infrasound | Nature", "Social Displays of the American Alligator", "Nocturnal behavior of the American Alligator (, "Unidirectional Airflow in the Lungs of Alligators", "Alligators and Crocodiles Have High Paracellular Absorption of Nutrients, But Differ in Digestive Morphology and Physiology", "Anatomical and Topographical Description of the Digestive System of Caiman crocodilus (Linnaeus 1758), Melanosuchus niger (Spix 1825) and Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Cuvier 1807)", "Right-to-left shunt has modest effects on CO 2 delivery to the gut during digestion, but compromises oxygen delivery", "Effects of feeding on arterial blood gases in the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis", "Feeding alters blood flow patterns in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)", "Modest Regulation of Digestive Performance Is Maintained through Early Ontogeny for the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis", "The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown: Microbial Symbioses of the American Alligator", "Detection and analysis of autophagy in the American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis )", "Metagenomics Reveals Seasonal Functional Adaptation of the Gut Microbiome to Host Feeding and Fasting in the Chinese Alligator", "Antacid armour key to tetrapod survival", "Alligator osteoderms as a source of labile calcium for eggshell formation", "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: What's the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? Alligators are common in the southern half of Alabama. Today, American alligator populations thrive, as a result of creative partnerships between Federal and State governments. They are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals, such as birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Estimates say the alligator population in Alabama is now ten times higher than it was in the 1970's. iStock.com/mrolands By Lisa Wilson. The states that have alligators are Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. A good number of these eggs stand a good chance of survival given the right conditions. Thank you for reading! There are no crocodiles in the state. Estimating trends in alligator populations from nightlight survey data. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London. Florida is also home to Gainesville, the most alligator-infested city in the US. As a result, the populations of gators begin to drop the further north you move. The below cladogram shows the phylogeny of alligators. The majority of alligator attacks take place in the state of Florida, which is home to around 1.3 million alligators. Prior to that time, hunters actively killed the species for their hide, and they were on the brink of extinction. Wildlife Management: Crocodiles and Alligators. This is probably one of the main reasons people encounter them during these periods. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Terms and Conditions 58-73. Amphibians and reptiles of southern Florida. Impacts of the coypu removal program on the diet of American alligators (. That also equates to a somewhat increased chance of meeting an Alligator in South Carolina too. 102-117. Florida is home to over one million alligators, making it the second most alligator-infested state in the us. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. Sometimes, some areas get flooded, and the flood brings gators with them. University Press of Colorado, Niwot, Colorado. In places like South Carolina, the alligator population is now estimated to be as much as 16 times higher than in the mid-1970s. They know what to do if they see a gator. While attacks on humans are exceedingly rare, they do occur on occasion (Pooley et al., 1989; Ashton and Ashton, 1991; Anonymous, 2002). John Johnson, North Bennington, Vermont. American crocodiles can be found in south florida, hispaniola, cuba, jamaica, along the caribbean coast from southern mexico to venezuela, and along the pacific coast from mexico to arequipa. Oklahoma Diet This may encourage people to approach alligators and their nests, which can provoke the animals into attacking. Everything is big in Texas! In 2025, a 15-feet long alligator was killed at Millers Ferry, Alabama. There are alligators in the entire state. What are the 10 states that have alligators? One of the alligators found in Union County, New Jersey, was collected; although there is no further word about the success of the 1933 great gator hunt started on the Passaic River in Essex County (Mikkelson and Mikkelson, 2001). The state has a population of more than 1.2 million, making it the second-most-populous state, behind only Texas (2.1 million), according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations. The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and can weigh up to 249 pounds. The alligator appeared 37 million years ago for the first time. LDWF manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. Volume III. Huge Florida Gator Eats a Smaller Florida Gator in Most Florida Video Ever. Alabama passed laws in 1938 to help conserve the gators. In Alabama, estimates put the population at about ten times more. The site is governed by our Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy posted on the website. As of now, no one knows why there is a difference. However, they can not walk on their hind legs. Currently, The coyote most abundant largest predator in states: North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana. We have about 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Alligators are also listed as a threatened species under the U.S. : They are also found as far north as Alaska and south to Mexico and Central and South America. One can find these gators in Escambia and Perdido, but there are no crocs in the state. In this state, there are two counties that the gators seem to favor as a habitat. In Alabama, estimates put the population at about ten times more. ", "Insights into the ecology and evolutionary success of crocodilians revealed through bite-force and tooth-pressure experimentation", "American Crocodile: Species Description", Central African slender-snouted crocodile (, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alligator&oldid=1150692441, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 April 2023, at 16:04.

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