One can find . Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? As a result, the populations of gators begin to drop the further north you move. UV rays from the sun are a danger to beachgoers, even on cloudy days. Alligators . DALLAS COUNTY, Alabama Jamie Thomas of Selma and his friends caught this mammoth alligator at 8:45 p.m. last Saturday night in Dallas County, south of Selma. Alligators prefer living in fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers and their associated wetlands. As a matter of fact, a record-breaking alligator was pulled from Lake Eufaula in August 2015 that weighed in at 920 pounds. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. The largest American alligator is 20 feet long, averaging 15 to 17 feet. Alligators in Alabama begin courtship in April and breed in late May and early June. They are a freshwater animal and live in lakes, rivers, marshes, and brackish swamps. Gator populations can be found in the Escambia and Perdido Rivers, Big Creek Lake, Lake Forest, and Lake Eufaula. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Like the rest of the southeastern U.S., the only alligator species in Gulf Shores is the American alligator, which is only one of two species worldwide. South Carolina has around 100,000 gators within its borders, primarily in the south and along the coast. Louisiana us almost 33 1/2 million acres total and 4.5 million acres are alligator habitat with 3 million of it being the coastal marshes. Alabamas climate, geographical features, and vegetation offer a natural habitat conducive to alligators survival. They were once near extinction from the 1920s to the 1940s due to over harvesting. The American alligator can grow up to 11.2 feet (3.4 meters) long and weigh nearly half a ton (1,000 lbs. While its best never to enter the water with gators, hold back on tossing fish guts and other alligator delicacies in the water. Crocodiles have pointier and sharper teeth because they have evolved to tear apart prey. On Tom Grant's last gator hunt, he caught an alligator that was 12'9" in length. However, the freezing temperatures of north Alabama threaten alligator hatchlings survival. How come alligators live in an area far from their natural habitat? Currently, Arkansas is estimated to have 2,000-3,000 individuals, with a stable and growing population each year. Now we know how many alligators live in Alabama, but just where can you find them? So how is it that we have a precise record of 19 feet, 2 inches and yet somehow . Coastal marshlands around the state are key breeding grounds for these reptiles. 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. Six months ago an alligator was found on Zeirdt road near Town Madison. If this occurs, dont test the waters and go swimming anyway. As one of only 10 states that play home to gators, Alabama is no stranger to these wild, carnivorous reptiles. Selections for each zone will be held at 12:00 PM CDT on the second Wednesday of July. But in 2014, the "Stokes alligator" was caught in the Alabama River, bout 100 miles north of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. The only places that gators live in Oklahoma are the Red and Little Rivers, primarily in around Choctaw, Bryan, McCurtain, and Love counties. We can swim, and every moment in water is a struggle. Through the Lottery Alligator Harvest Program, LDWF provides more than 400 resident alligator hunters the opportunity to harvest approximately 1,245 alligators on over 40 wildlife management areas and public lakes throughout the state. Brown Recluse Spider. jaimie tuchman/Shutterstock.com. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Report Nuisance Alligators If you encounter an alligator that you believe poses a threat to people, pets, or property, contact your local Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries office. Do not disturb a nest of small alligators. During mating season, female alligators lay 30-40 eggs, which incubate for 60-65 days. Alligators shy away from humans and would rather skater away than attack. The 15-foot, half-ton monster broke a record set in 2007 in Texas. An alligator is larger than you in all ways, especially in water. Otherwise, one can easily get lost in the jungle. The sugar-white sand beaches are perfect for relaxing, and the town boasts a variety of incredible lodging options, fun-filled activities, and local restaurants. Nuisance alligators have to be removed each year because of this problem. Thunderstorms, rain squalls, hurricanes, and other inclement weather occur regularly due to the airs moisture. No alcoholic beverages. An alligator mother lays 30 70 eggs for her brood. Louisiana has the most alligators of all of the states, with over two million gators residing there. As one of the largest lakes in the state, it has many gators that enjoy the 16,000 acres of lake coverage. Approximately 1.25 million alligators live in Florida, with around 200,000 in the Everglades. Alligator jaws exert up to 1,000 pounds of pressure since they are desired to crush prey. However, dont expect to find them living in the salty waters of the gulf. Oklahoma is home to between 100-200 individuals, but they constitute a stable population. Although there arent as many gators in Georgia as in the top three states, there are still plenty! In 1995, as many as 50 American alligators were released in the Alabama portion of the Tennessee River in an effort to keep the beaver population under control. Mama alligator will protect her eggs with everything she has. First, dont try to feed or touch any alligator. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, in August, following heavy rainfalls and floods caused by Hurricane Ida, a 12-foot-long alligatorbit a mans arm off in front of his wife. Alabama took the lead in 1938 by passing laws to protect them. A vacation in Alabama will give you and your loved ones a memorable adventure. They grow to approximately 13 feet long. Give it a wide berth. ActionHub // Mississippi is home to just under 50,000 alligators. Why Are People Prohibited From Feed Alligators? Although initially, you could only find alligators in southern Alabama, reports of their sightings in the northern parts are increasing. Robinson Island. Her nonfiction work focuses on animals, nature, and conservation. Dont try to get closer to take photos, said Marianne Hudson with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Sixth Largest Alligator - Tom Grant's Alligator - 13'1.5". It's also a draw-only hunt. If you plan to take a dip with alligators, never feed them before entering the water. 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. The alligator hunting season was restarted in Alabama about 10 years ago. The state's large alligator population is largely due to the fact that Alabama first enacted laws to protect alligators all the way back in 1938. Watch This Florida Woman Feed an Alligator Up-Close, With Predictable Ending. According to the Alabama Extension Service, there are two types of crocodilian species in the U.S: crocodiles and alligators. Call 9-1-1 immediately if the situation is urgent. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Permit and alligator trapping license for non-residents: $1,022. Come and interact with our heritage Alligators while paddling, hiking, riding, or even strolling within the parks. Females usually lay 30 to 50 eggs at a time from early June to mid-July. West Beach. On 15 June 2016, a two-year-old boy was dragged into the water by an American alligator in Orlando, Florida. Lake Forest, Eufala, and Big creek are other water bodies where alligators have found a home in Alabama. Wild Boars. Crocs feature V-shaped snouts that are narrow or wide, and their jaws close from the top, exposing all teeth. The timber rattlesnake is one of Alabama's most venomous snakes. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. Crocodiles are considerably more aggressive than alligators, which are shy. Louisiana 2 3000-4000 (1500-2000 alligators removed) 1.5 million A small population is also found in Tamaulipas, in Mexico. Unfortunately, not all of the alligators survived the cold snap at the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area, a 5,800-acre (2,300 hectares) refuge in southeastern Oklahoma that's managed by the . Texas has 400-500,000 alligators within its borders. Alabama is home to turkeys, black bears, a wide variety of snakes, and yes, alligators. Colby is a freelance writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. While alligators also live in freshwater marshes, wetlands, and swamps, their bodies cannot digest salt, so they stay away from saline waters. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately. Alabama has five alligator hunting zones in South Alabama, the traditional range of alligators in the state. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. She went for help and the man disappeared shortly afterwards. Florida is also home to Gainesville, the most alligator-infested city in the US. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. Given the development of Gulf Shores over the years, its rare to encounter an alligator unless in a more remote area. When paddling in a canoe, the oars scare away the reptile and prevent an attack. Only 10 alligator hatchlings will live to one year. Baby alligators grow a foot yearly in the early four years of life. Alligator Alley in the town of Daphne is one of the best places to watch alligators. We used to be able to swim in local waters and let the dogs swim too without the danger of an attack by a hungry gator, said Daphne local Linda. Never Feed Alligators Feeding an alligator is dangerous and illegal. Along the river are swimming holes where you can splash the summer heat away. In the more populated beach areas of Gulf Shores, sharks tend to stay away from humans, similar to the mindset of alligators; however, if you see the fin above the water, exit immediately and notify a lifeguard. There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! Males require higher temperatures than females. Furthermore, although both species are carnivorous apex predators that hunt for food on land and in water alike, alligators prefer smaller prey like fish, whereas crocodiles often feed on larger animals such as deer or pigs. The Largest Crocodile. Discover Why Alligators Wont Cross Georgias Fall Line. The best site to see an alligator north of Alabama is a visit to the Tennessee River in the region. On the trail, you will navigate through channels and bayous from which you can watch alligators basking or sliding off the banks. Alligators are present in most southern states of U.S. water bodies. What is the most dangerous animal in Alabama? AllOutdoor // However, there are occasional sightings in more northerly latitudes, though the population of gators in the northern half of the state is minimal. Approaching an area where a mother alligator is nursing her babies is offensive and considered a threat. Their most distinctive feature is their head, which is long and filled with up to 80 teeth at a time. Watch Your Pets Pets are similar in size to natural prey of alligators and their movements will often attract an alligators interest. Cannibalism is common among alligators in areas where they are more populated. The second most alligator-infested state in the US in Florida. What States Have Alligators 2023. Photograph at A Distance Always keep safety in mind and observe and photograph alligators only froma distance. Alligators also display remarkable resilience against disease and are able to adapt quickly when their environment changes. Therefore, if youre wearing something shiny, this could attract gators, thinking youre their next meal. Most of the gators fall in the lower half of the state, with populations in the northern half being nearly non-existent. Like the other, more northern states on the list, the only places you can find these creatures are in the southern regions. Handling even small alligators can result in injury. In Alabama, they are commonly found near the coastal area. In the 1970s, the American alligator in Alabama was put on the endangered species list because they were hunted to near extinction. Alligators fingerlings struggle to survive the harsh cold temperatures of the north. U.S. Space & Rocket Center is Alabamas Number One Tourism Attraction. Also, crocs require hotter temperatures to survive, while alligators can withstand freezing lakes. 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. Range and Habitat Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. On the other hand, alligators feature cone-shaped teeth and a powerful jaw, which is meant for crushing games. First-time Alabama alligator hunters celebrate record catch 00:24. Jonas N. Jordan Public Domain by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Alligators have had a growing presence in North Alabama dating back to the 70's when more than 50 were introduced to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. How big are alligators in Alabama? Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as well as Arkansas, Georgia and the Carolinas. The American alligator population in Alabama has changed dramatically over the years. However, when swimming in the Gulf of Mexico or at inland lagoons, rivers, and lakes, there are a variety of other dangers to be aware of, including: Rip currents occur underneath the waterline and are areas of fast-moving water away from the shore. South Carolina 9 750 (200-250 alligators removed) 100000 Alabama 5 150-250 Thousands? Remember, an alligator is more adapted to navigating in water. With age, they target other prey, including water birds, rodents, and deer. Any standing body of water in Florida could house a gator, making swamps, rivers, lakes, and drainage pools all potentially dangerous. Small alligators, less than three feet, mainly feed on spiders, minnows, crawfish, shrimp, and crabs. Some individuals have been recorded living more than 100 years! By comparison the Atchafalaya Basin swamp (the Landry's gator hunting area) is about 207,000 acres. And there have only been 23 fatalities between 1948 and 2016. Since rip currents are an unseen danger, they pose a severe threat to swimmers, especially during storms and inclement weather, in which adults and children can be quickly swept out to sea. It's estimated that 79 per cent of Louisiana's coastal marshes are privately owned alligator habitat. Relatively few snakes are venomous. Once they pass, move away from the alligator, or exit the water immediately to avoid a confrontation. Crocs are opportunistic predators, which means they will attack any living creature that moves, considering their prey, even humans. Alligators can be found in places other than the United States. About 18 hours later, the boys intact body was discovered in the water near where he was taken.