Alabama took the lead in 1938 by passing laws to protect them. More than 1.1 million people come to Alabama to view wildlife each year, according to a 2013 report by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Walton Family Foundation. Alligators are fascinating creatures, which is why scientists enjoy studying them. Avoid swimming at night, outside of posted swimming areas, or in waters that might be inhabited by alligators. Alligators . Any alligator you will see during your visit to Alabama is the American Alligator. Thank you for reading! According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, there are around 70,000 alligators living in Alabama today. What States Have Alligators 2023. You will get to see alligators in the rivers Perdido and Escambia. Whats the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in the Mississippi River? They are widely distributed through the southeastern and southwestern regions of the state, although densities are quite low. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. You will get to see alligators in the rivers Perdido and Escambia. Alligators are more abundant in Florida. Florida alligator bite statistics date back to 1948, ranging around three major bites per year. Like Louisiana, Florida has a massive area of swampland (the Everglades), and the year-round sun makes for ideal conditions for the gators. By 1987, it was removed from the Endangered Species List but remains a federally protected species. Of the 254 counties in the state, 120 have gators. First, dont try to feed or touch any alligator. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Juveniles feed on small fish and crustaceans. 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. Thank you for reading! The alligators cant just be traced back to the refuge. Dont try to get closer to take photos, said Marianne Hudson with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. South Carolina has around 100,000 gators within its borders, primarily in the south and along the coast. Other states soon followed, and in 1967, the U.S. 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. Also, crocs require hotter temperatures to survive, while alligators can withstand freezing lakes. Remember to keep your pets on a leash at all times, especially when close to any body of water.. When brought to the scales the gator measured 13 feet, 1 1/2 inches long and weighed 604 pounds, Thomas said. Louisiana has the largest alligator population. Are alligators a problem in Alabama? An alligator is protective of her family. Males require higher temperatures than females. alligators that allow hunters with permits to kill or facilitate the removal of alligators. Estimates indicate that there are about 70,000 gators in the state. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. When fed, alligators can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food. There are swimming holes located along these water bodies in Alabama. Although initially, you could only find alligators in southern Alabama, reports of their sightings in the northern parts are increasing. Alligators have rebounded . Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in. 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. What is the most dangerous animal in Alabama? 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. Alligator Infested Lakes: How Many Alligators Live in Texas Lake Lewisville? Alligators favor warm, lowland waters, like lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands, and even golf course ponds and irrigation ditches. 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. Beat the excessive summer cooling off in Alabama in a lake, creek, or river. Both are of the same order but in a different family. The American alligator can grow up to 11.2 feet (3.4 meters) long and weigh nearly half a ton (1,000 lbs. The reptiles can grow to a length of more than 14 Ft, twice the height of the average tallest man, and weigh the weight of a man significantly. The chance of encountering an alligator in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is uncommon but can occur if you dont follow the tips. Alabama isnt well-known for its gators, but they have a total population of around 70,000 individuals! Why Are People Prohibited From Feed Alligators? These mounds are usually about 2 feet in height and 5 feet in diameter. The most common problem in Alabama pertaining to alligators is the mindset of humans who think they need to feed them. Just like in the state of Alabama, the applicants in South Carolina are selected randomly by the computer's lottery system. The worst years for fatalities were 2001 and 2006, with three people dying each of those years from Florida alligator attacks. Along the river are swimming holes where you can splash the summer heat away. Any standing body of water in Florida could house a gator, making swamps, rivers, lakes, and drainage pools all potentially dangerous. Ensuring you have the proper beach gear, such as a hat, umbrella, towels, and other coverings, and a high SPF sunscreen is the best way to protect your skin from the intense and harmful sun rays. Alligators can move long distances over land. Jonas N. Jordan Public Domain by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Alabama residents and Alabama lifetime license holders older than 16 years old can apply for a drawing of the 260 alligator tags that will be issued. In Texas, alligators live in the eastern portion . Now we know how many alligators live in Alabama, but just where can you find them? Approximately 1.25 million alligators live in Florida, with around 200,000 in the Everglades. Understanding the natural behavior of this species can help prevent negative encounters for yourself and others. Alabama has five alligator hunting zones in South Alabama, the traditional range of alligators in the state. The Dauphin Island area is home to a variety of sea creatures, including common sharks including blacktip and bull sharks. Watch This Florida Woman Feed an Alligator Up-Close, With Predictable Ending. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Discover the One Place on Earth that Crocodiles and Alligators Coexist. Anyone who has any concerns about an alligator that is on their property or in a nearby pond or waterway, please call one of our wildlife district offices. Once they pass, move away from the alligator, or exit the water immediately to avoid a confrontation. Humans capabilities of staying in water have limitations. They can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds. Currently, Arkansas is estimated to have 2,000-3,000 individuals, with a stable and growing population each year. Watch This Florida Woman Feed an Alligator, Are There Any Lakes with Alligators Near, Huge Florida Gator Eats a Smaller Florida, The Biggest Alligator Ever Found In Louisiana, The 10 Best Childrens Books About Alligators Reviewed and Ranked, alligator-infested state in the US in Florida, Texas comes in third for the total population, Epic Battles: The Largest Ever Alligator vs. What States Have Alligators 2023. With a belly girth of 65", the Tom Grant's alligator was one of the largest . Alligators are a top predator species and help keep other animal populations in balance. If you are looking for someplace closer to town, Village Point Park Preserve in Daphne will allow you to see gators. As a result, they can only live where there is sufficient sunlight and heat to warm them up. What is the number one attraction in Alabama? Alabama prohibits harassment or ownership of alligators, as well as illegal hunting. During mating season, female alligators lay 30-40 eggs, which incubate for 60-65 days. Chinese . Well also learn a little more about the species in general. The American alligator population in Alabama has changed dramatically over the years. It may come as no surprise that Louisiana is the most alligator-infested state in the entire US. Robinson Island. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the only species of alligator that exists in Alabama. A 2004 study of wild and captive alligators found that large individuals bite down with one of the most powerful bites ever recorded for a living animal. Given the development of Gulf Shores over the years, its rare to encounter an alligator unless in a more remote area. Alligators are an important part of Alabamas landscape and play a valuable role in the ecology of our states wetlands. The chance of someone being attacked is one in 3.2 million. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Alabama is home to turkeys, black bears, a wide variety of snakes, and yes, alligators. Discover Why Alligators Wont Cross Georgias Fall Line. or 454 kilograms), according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Alligators usually eat turtles and rarely attack humans, but an attack could be fatal. The Alabama River is a river located in the U.S. state of Alabama. The state is quite famous for alligator farming and harvesting, accounting for hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue brought to the state. The creatures have been spotted in parking lots, backyards, and on roads around Daphne, after extreme weather washed them away from their usual habitats. All rights reserved (About Us). Finally, if youre watching alligators from the safety of a boat, remember to never reach your hand out over the water. Swim Responsibly Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Question: Where Are Alligators In Alabama. Cannibalism is common among alligators in areas where they are more populated. However, occasionally a jellyfish or a few will navigate toward the shore, so its essential to be vigilant while in the water. So for the majority of the year, you can spot alligators on your Florida airboat rides. 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. Although there arent as many gators in Georgia as in the top three states, there are still plenty! The 15-foot, half-ton monster broke a record set in 2007 in Texas. The cost of living in Alabama is low and so are real estate prices. 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. Alligators . Check out the following swimming halls on your summer vacation in Alabama. Reported fatalities in an alligator attack are few and far between. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators. Orange Beach. If you plan to take a dip with alligators, never feed them before entering the water. Alligators typically have dark gray or black skin with white or yellow markings, while crocodiles are usually tan in color with darker stripes and spots. Females are about 8 to 9 feet in length. In addition to this physical difference, its important to note that alligators primarily live in freshwater habitats such as swamps and marshes, while crocodiles tend to inhabit brackish wetlands like estuaries and saltwater lakes. Most of the state gets much too cold for gators to survive the winter, but there are some regions that allow for a small population of alligators. They prefer water sources that do not go dry in the summer months and that provide an abundance of food. Therefore, if youre wearing something shiny, this could attract gators, thinking youre their next meal. 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 Cahaba River boasts of being the most diverse biologically in the country. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Alligators arent just big lizards, theyre actually ancient predators that have remained basically the same for over 60 million years. West Beach. 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. While a limited number of hunting tags are offered in the southern portion of Alabama, it is illegal to kill alligators. 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. Are There Any Lakes with Alligators Near Atlanta, Georgia? They can only live in freshwater environments like swamps, wetlands, marshes, and ponds because their body cannot digest salt. She holds degrees in English and Anthropology, and spends her free time writing horror, scifi, and fantasy stories. The majority of American Alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Alligators are also present in wetlands and marshes common along the south coast regions. There are only two species of alligator; the American alligator, and the Chinese alligator. First-time Alabama alligator hunters celebrate record catch 00:24. Alligators are only found in the states southern half since theres significantly more fresh water than in the northern section of Alabama. The Tennessee River also makes it easy for them to navigate the region. Its a common misconception that they are limited to water, said Hudson. As one of the largest lakes in the state, it has many gators that enjoy the 16,000 acres of lake coverage. Thunderstorms, rain squalls, hurricanes, and other inclement weather occur regularly due to the airs moisture. Brandi is a professional writer by day and a fiction writer by night. Gators in the state prefer wetlands, lakes, rivers, and even a few reservoirs. An alligator mother lays 30 70 eggs for her brood. Alligators can be taken legally only by individuals with proper licenses or permits. Alligators are known to prey on small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and other aquatic life.