[4][5] The Chinese alligator split from the American alligator about 33 million years ago[4] and probably descended from a lineage that crossed the Bering land bridge during the Neogene. [3], Alligators and caimans split in North America during the early Tertiary or late Cretaceous (about 53 million to about 65 million years ago). Through LDWF's extensive research and wise management that includes sustainable wild harvest and alligator farming, Louisiana's wild alligator population has increased from less than 100,000 to more than 2 million in the past 50 years. He loves animals, especially horses, and would love to have one someday. Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles, meaning they require external heat in order to regular their internal body temperature. The natural sex ratio at hatching is five females to one male. 10. One of the areas where one can find these gators are in the Ace Basin. [50][48] The alligator's metabolism will also increase after a meal by up to four times its basal metabolic rate. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum, Biological Sciences 3(5):181-324. + errata. Even now, there is still a size restriction on alligator hunting in some parts of Alabama, such as the Lake Eufaula Zone. 1998. Identification: Alligator mississippiensis is a robust crocodilian with a total length of 1.8-5 m (6-16.5 ft), and a record length of 5.84 m (19 ft 2 in) (Conant and Collins, 1998). Through LDWF's extensive research and wise management that includes sustainable wild harvest and alligator farming, Louisiana's wild alligator population has increased from less than 100,000 to more than 2 million in the past 50 years. Lazell, J. D., Jr. 1989. The Great Gator Hoax -Capital Research Center Volume VII. Despite the data that shows just how uncommon alligator attacks actually are, these reptiles are often viewed with extreme fear. 100,000 alligators might seem like a lot, but it's nothing compared to the populations of gators in Florida and Louisiana. [57][58] The Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans has leucistic alligators found in a Louisiana swamp in 1987. [10] The largest ever recorded, found in Louisiana, measured 5.84m (19.2ft). Captured gators do not always get killed. In this role as a top predator, it may determine the abundance of prey species, including turtles and coypu. It comes second to Florida as far as gator numbers are concerned. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Smaller alligators can often be found in large numbers close to each other. In: C. A. Ross (consulting editor). The American alligator is endemic to the United States. Oklahoma (100-200) There is a tiny population of alligators that live in certain southern regions of the state. An alligator, or just gator, is a large reptile in the Crocodilia order in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. 120 pp. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. They also inhabit wetland areas in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. 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. They lay several eggs. We have about 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular (23):i-vi, 1-113. . The acidity of the stomach has been observed to increase once digestion begins. Distribution and Growth of American Alligators in a Texas Coastal Marsh (Answer Inside!). Wildlife Management: Crocodiles and Alligators. Florida is also the only place where alligators and crocodiles co-exist. What are the 10 states that have alligators? The American alligator is a large, semi-aquatic, armored reptile that is related to crocodiles. The two states with the most gators are Florida and Mississippi. Everything is big in Texas! Vertebrates of Florida. Although South Carolina is warmer, on average, than North Carolina, it can still get quite cold. They may look a bit like logs in the water. Given the population boom, the government is considering dropping the endangered or threatened tag on alligators in Alabama. Although gators live in these areas, some states have few geographical locations where one can find alligators. Together, these two subfamilies form the family Alligatoridae. Here's Why Alligator Populations Are Exploding Across Alabama The majority of alligator attacks take place in the state of Florida, which is home to around 1.3 million alligators. 1989. Are There Alligators in the Mississippi River? Their population has grown so much in these areas that they have now become a nuisance in some places. 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. Thankfully, not every state has a native population of alligators. [26] Farther west, in Louisiana, heavy grazing by coypu and muskrat are causing severe damage to coastal wetlands. Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. Nongame Wildlife Program, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Tallahassee. As a result, an adult human can hold an alligator's jaws shut bare-handed. In Rankin, there are 2,400 alligators. 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. 2008. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. It is estimated that five million American alligators are spread out across the southeastern United States and around 1.25 million alligators live in the state of Florida. If one is interested in seeing gators, the best course of action is to rent a tour and go to the Everglades. [6] The full genome, published in 2014, suggests that the alligator evolved much more slowly than mammals and birds. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. However, in the past few years, the population has also grown in these places. How Long Do Alligators Live Alligators have a long lifespan. Let Nit and yijt denote the unobserved local abundance and observed count of individuals at route i, within . Along the Atlantic coast, American alligators are distributed from the Florida Everglades to North Carolina. 1987. In the United States, only 10 states out of 50 have a native alligator population. Alligators can be found in almost every state, but they are most common in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia. Smith, H. M., and R. B. Smith. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. Guggisberg, C. A. W. 1972. They can grow to be more than 12 feet (3.6 meters) in length and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms), with males being slightly larger than females on average. Carr, A. There are alligators in the entire state. Back in the 1970s, the American alligator was placed on the endangered species list. Today, American alligator populations thrive, as a result of creative partnerships between Federal and State governments. The surveys showed how alligators recovered from near-extinction during the mid-20th century, then remained largely stable after the late 1980s. Alligators are generally more active during the summer, their breeding season. In 2025, a 15-feet long alligator was killed at Millers Ferry, Alabama. Like Louisiana, Florida has a massive area of swampland (the Everglades), and the year-round sun makes for ideal conditions for the gators. Jay Inlsee, a Democrat who sought to make the state a leader on progressive policies from climate change to gun . [54], Like other crocodilians, alligators have an armor of bony scutes. The first fatal alligator attack in the united states took place in palm beach county, florida. Alligator vs Crocodile: 10 Simple Differences - More Reptiles 160 pp. She will provide protection to the young for about a year if they remain in the area. Large groups of animals bellow together for a few minutes a few times a day, usually one to three hours after sunrise. There are more than one million alligators in Louisiana. Alligators' main prey are smaller animals they can kill and eat with a single bite. Discover how old these crocodilian reptiles can get. The alligators in North and South Carolina do not boast the same numbers as in Florida. However alligators are still vulnerable to microbial infections despite the immune boost from other microbiota. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. No. However, they can not walk on their hind legs. In the future, possible American alligator populations may be found in areas of Mexico adjacent to the Texas border. It has a large, long head with visible upper teeth along the edge of the jaws. The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. The Everglades has a diverse ecology. In addition to restricting hunting, the authorities actively reintroduced Alligators into the ecosystem because they serve an essential purpose. The alligators spotted in Essex County, New Jersey, may have escaped a lagoon in Military Park, Newark (Anonymous in Mikkelson and Mikkelson, 2001). [62] Populations may not be currently present. Females exhibit varying degrees of parental care by guarding the nest, releasing hatchlings from the nest and eggs, and transporting them to water in her mouth (Kushlan and Simon, 1981; Lang, 1987; Shine, 1988; Magnusson et al., 1989). The states with alligators are Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. Alligator attacks are rare, occurring in only a few cases each year. 240 pp. [35][36] Their stomachs also often contain gizzard stones. Are There Alligators In Lake Conway Florida? American Alligator | National Geographic
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