As one of the largest lakes in the state, it has many gators that enjoy the 16,000 acres of lake coverage. 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. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Splashing means a possible food source for alligators. But, just how do you stay safe around these apex predators? Unregulated alligator harvest throughout the South in the early 1900s threatened the species with extinction. On the other hand, alligators feature cone-shaped teeth and a powerful jaw, which is meant for crushing games. Pratik Handore. What is the number one attraction in Alabama? Alabama prohibits harassment or ownership of alligators, as well as illegal hunting. Gator populations can be found in the Escambia and Perdido Rivers, Big Creek Lake, Lake Forest, and Lake Eufaula. Alligators shy away from humans and would rather skater away than attack. If this occurs, dont test the waters and go swimming anyway. Florida is also home to Gainesville, the most alligator-infested city in the US. This goes for pets and children as well. We can swim, and every moment in water is a struggle. Alligators can propel their bodies up and out of the water. Some female alligators will become aggressive if they are provoked. Any standing body of water in Florida could house a gator, making swamps, rivers, lakes, and drainage pools all potentially dangerous. Unlike saltwater crocodiles, alligators cant stomach salt water and spend only brief periods of time in brackish water. The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States.It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator.Females are smaller, measuring 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) in . Virginia. 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. 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. 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. Like the other, more northern states on the list, the only places you can find these creatures are in the southern regions. The lakes in Alabama have swimming sites where you can enjoy your strokes and water maneuvers. Fairhope. Do alligators appear on Gulf Shores beaches? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The American alligator has been hunted for its hide, and its young have been sold in large numbers as pets. Are there alligators on Dauphin Island Alabama? Alligators presence is in freshwater lakes, ponds, marshy areas, and streams. Only 50 permits were issued in 2006. Of these yearlings, 8 will become subadults (reach 4 feet in . 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. There are only two species of alligator; the American alligator, and the Chinese alligator. As one of only 10 states that play home to gators, Alabama is no stranger to these wild, carnivorous reptiles. With age, they target other prey, including water birds, rodents, and deer. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately. A stranger to the southern parts of the United States may develop a phobia of the water bodies. There is an estimated population of 1,000+ alligators that live in North Carolina, with that number seemingly increasing a bit each year. Thunderstorms, rain squalls, hurricanes, and other inclement weather occur regularly due to the airs moisture. Also, crocs require hotter temperatures to survive, while alligators can withstand freezing lakes. Why look for engulfment with this creature in water? Prohibited Items Pets are welcome at Gulf Place, but they may not travel on the sand beaches. Children and Pets Are A No In Waters Infested With Alligators. All rights reserved (About Us). Orange Beach. If you take a tour to the south of Alabama, you will likely see an alligator. Dont try to get closer to take photos, said Marianne Hudson with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The massive swampland and warm climate mean that Louisiana is the perfect home for these scaly reptiles. According to conservation organization Share the Beach, the gator was seen on the far west end of the island and was most likely hunting for sea turtle eggs. Best Alabama Beaches Gulf Shores. The authorities are warning people to be extra vigilant when walking their dogs in the Baldwin County city. If you did a cursory internet search for "biggest alligator ever" you might see a listing that says "19 feet, 2 inches" with a caveat that the number is "unconfirmed." As of this writing, the official record is a 15-foot, 9-inch gator caught in Alabama in 2014. In the northern parts of Alabama, you can visit Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to glimpse these gigantic reptiles. Still, 25% of the entire states population lives in the southeastern region. Alligators have wide, U-shaped snouts, while crocodiles have long, V-shaped ones. Size: Male alligators range from 11 to 12 feet long and weigh between 400 and 500 pounds. 8.2 Are there saltwater crocodiles in Alabama? Selection results will be posted immediately thereafter and applicants can check their selection status on the same . 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. The region is estimated to have 70,000 of the total Alabama alligator population. Among the popular sites in Alabama is Alligator Alley in Summerdale and Gator Alley Boardwalk in Daphne. It's estimated that 79 per cent of Louisiana's coastal marshes are privately owned alligator habitat. 2023 Copyright by Travel Safe - Abroad. By 1987, it was removed from the Endangered Species List but remains a federally protected species. Thank you for reading! Permit and alligator trapping license for non-residents: $1,022. Most of the gators fall in the lower half of the state, with populations in the northern half being nearly non-existent. American alligators are no longer listed as endangered, but Chinese alligators, which live only in the Yangtze River, are critically endangered. 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. However, increased sightings in these areas may indicate a northern expansion of their historic range. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com. With around 70,000 gators, it might seem like Alabama has more alligators than any other state. 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.There are also nearly 1 million alligators on farms in Louisiana. Adult alligators consider baby alligators a delicacy, and so do other predators. An alligator is protective of her family. . They can live 70 to 100 years. Are there safe places where I can swim in Alabama? During mating season, female alligators lay 30-40 eggs, which incubate for 60-65 days. Handling even small alligators can result in injury. Please use caution when visiting our bay access points and parks, wrote the City of Daphne in Alabama in an official social media post. The average clutch size of an alligator nest is 38. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Discover the One Place on Earth that Crocodiles and Alligators Coexist. When fed, alligators can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food. While alligators also live in freshwater marshes, wetlands, and swamps, their bodies cannot digest salt, so they stay away from saline waters. How come alligators live in an area far from their natural habitat? 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. Instead, find another beach at Gulf Shores that is open for swimming, so you can safely enjoy the day. Give it a wide berth. Although there arent as many gators in Georgia as in the top three states, there are still plenty! South Carolina 9 750 (200-250 alligators removed) 100000 Alabama 5 150-250 Thousands? What States Have Alligators 2023. Alligators are more abundant in Florida. About 18 hours later, the boys intact body was discovered in the water near where he was taken. Do not disturb a nest of small alligators. Therefore, an alligator attack is rare unless they feel threatened or provoked. Although initially, you could only find alligators in southern Alabama, reports of their sightings in the northern parts are increasing. So, if youre in gator country, its best to follow a few simple rules to reduce your risk of attack. Are alligators a problem in Alabama? 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. If fed by people, alligators quickly associate humans with food, which can be dangerous. But alligators have also been spotted in the Tennessee and Elk rivers near Tennessee. If an alligator passes in front of you, remain as still as possible and exit the water immediately. It is dangerous to approach an alligator or try to move one. The cost of living in Alabama is low and so are real estate prices. If you plan to take a dip with alligators, never feed them before entering the water. Since then, their populations in all 10 southeastern states have both increased and stabilized. Theyre the only crocodilian in Alabama waters and can grow to a whopping 19 feet long. In Alabama, they are commonly found near the coastal area. As a matter of fact, a record-breaking alligator was pulled from Lake Eufaula in August 2015 that weighed in at 920 pounds. Selections for each zone will be held at 12:00 PM CDT on the second Wednesday of July. Alligators in Alabama begin courtship in April and breed in late May and early June. A child or a pet splashing in water can be intercepted and interpreted by an alligator intelligence to mean an easy meal. Females are about 8 to 9 feet in length. Crocs are opportunistic predators, which means they will attack any living creature that moves, considering their prey, even humans. Are There Alligators in Savannah, Georgia? The world's largest American alligator ever killed in the wild is on display for the first time since it was caught on the Alabama River. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) Three large sharks are being tracked this week off the coast of Alabama. Village Point Park Preserve boardwalks have designs to guarantee safety even for young children. A hunting season for American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis) will be open in five hunt zones of Alabama. The Dauphin Island area is home to a variety of sea creatures, including common sharks including blacktip and bull sharks. At one time, the alligators in Alabama were under threat of extinction. Like Louisiana, Florida has a massive area of swampland (the Everglades), and the year-round sun makes for ideal conditions for the gators. What is the most dangerous animal in Alabama? The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the only species of alligator that exists in Alabama. Alligators are lowland creatures who require both warmth and fresh water. The other gator species is the Chinese alligator, which is becoming extinct due to the overdevelopment of its habitat. Alligator hunters are selected to hunt these areas through bidding and lotteries. Like many other states, hunters are allowed only one gator per year. Alligators are a protected species in Alabama. History Channel's ' Swamp People ' is a reality series that follows various gator hunters and their activities in swamps of the Atchafalaya River Basin and other swamplands in Louisiana (and Texas).