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Florida Alligators

There are two species of Crocodilians native to the USA, namely the American alligator and the American crocodile. Crocodiles are less common in Florida, so any sightings will most likely be an alligator which can be recognized by its broad snout, whereas crocodiles have a longer, narrow snout.

Male alligators grow to between 12 - 15 feet (4 - 4.5 metres), the females to 10 feet (3 - 3.5 metres), they live to an age of 30 to 35 years in the wild and longer in captivity.

Young alligators are black, with bright yellow stripes on their backs and cream-colored bellies. As they mature they lose the stripes, but the stomach remains light-colored. To an untrained eye, there's nothing external to distinguish the male from the female.

Alligators usually favor habitats such as shallow freshwater lakes, swamps and marshes, rivers and man made canals.

They are often seen sunning themselves along Florida riverbanks and can sometimes be seen swimming across rivers and streams.

In the Everglades where deep, open water is limited, the females live in ponds and venture into open areas to attract the males at breeding times. Nesting occurs in June and July with hatching in August. Both male and female are extremely protective of their young and will respond vigorously to any perceived threat to a young alligator, not just their own.

A threatening act can be something as simple as coming between an adult and its young whether it be on foot or in a canoe.

While alligator eggs and hatchlings are eaten by raccoons and otters, humans are the alligator's only natural enemy. Hunting and the draining of Florida wetlands in the late 19th century decimated alligator numbers to the point of being listed as an endangered species in the mid-1940s.

Thanks to more enlightened protection in recent times, the alligator population has recovered. It is illegal in Florida to feed alligators and it is illegal to hunt alligators in the wild. Severe penalties apply to offenders.

A lligator farming has now developed into a viable commercial enterprise, providing numerous high-value products. It is also makes a significant contribution to a conservation strategy for this once-endangered natural resource.

Most visitors to Florida will find that a visit to one of the many alligator farms throughout the state will provide the best opportunity to see these incredible animals.

Florida Wildlife - Alligators

Florida Alligators