How many people are killed by alligators in the US each year? In addition to having alligator farms in southern Alabama, alligators are regularly spotted in the wild. Of the 254 counties in the state, 120 have gators. Alligators are common in the southern half of Alabama. While a limited number of hunting tags are offered in the southern portion of Alabama, it is illegal to kill alligators. Interesting Alligator Facts in Gulf Shores, 4 Safety Tips for Swimming in Alligator-Infested Waters, Tip One: Dont wear shiny jewelry or clothing. If fed by people, alligators quickly associate humans with food, which can be dangerous. On Tom Grant's last gator hunt, he caught an alligator that was 12'9" in length. If you come across an alligator, stay around 60 feet away from it, dont run away on land, and swim away if in the water. Always remember to use extreme caution while on Lake Eufaula. Females usually lay 30 to 50 eggs at a time from early June to mid-July. It's also a draw-only hunt. The average clutch size of an alligator nest is 38. Black widow spiders. Crocodiles are considerably more aggressive than alligators, which are shy. 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. Providing food for wild alligators can make them bolder and more apt to seek out humans. In fact, the American alligator is the only crocodilian animal native to the state of Texas. On May 31, 2022, a 47-year-old man, later identified as Sean Thomas McGuinness, was found dead in John S. Taylor Park in Largo, Florida, with one arm torn off.. Paul Cozzie, the director of Parks and Conservation Resources in Pinellas County, told The New York Times that "he . Do alligators appear on Gulf Shores beaches? Alligators are common in alabama. The second hunt zone will be in Baldwin and Mobile Counties south of I-10. jaimie tuchman/Shutterstock.com. So if an alligator hisses or lunges toward you, you are much too close for their comfort and should move away. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the American alligator on the Endangered Species List. Brandi is a professional writer by day and a fiction writer by night. Leave Alligators Alone State law prohibits killing, harassing or possessing alligators. Alligators are also present in wetlands and marshes common along the south coast regions . 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. 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. The mounted 15-foot, 9 . This will only give them more of a drive to attack, thinking that you provided the food, so you become the food! Alligators . Males require higher temperatures than females. However, with human populations continuing to expand, interaction between people and alligators can be expected. Among the popular sites in Alabama is Alligator Alley in Summerdale and Gator Alley Boardwalk in Daphne. We strictly advise not to swim in water bodies harboring alligators. Lets rank these 10 states to see who has the most! 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 . Watch This Florida Woman Feed an Alligator Up-Close, With Predictable Ending. Alabama DCNR 12.14.12. As one of only 10 states that play home to gators, Alabama is no stranger to these wild, carnivorous reptiles. Alligator kills 85-year-old woman walking her dog in Florida retirement community, Fox News, the Murdochs and backstage Trump whispers: The damning Dominion revelations, Residents warned as alligators take over Alabama city due to rain, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Alabama has five alligator hunting zones in South Alabama, the traditional range of alligators in the state. Colby is a freelance writer from Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. In 1967, the American alligator was placed on the Endangered Species List by the U.S. The majority of American alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators in each state. Alligators can be found in places other than the United States. LDWF manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. In the northern parts of Alabama, you can visit Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge to glimpse these gigantic reptiles. Alligators are much faster than humans, so its best to remain still and let them pass. Other states use state wildlife officials to remove alligators that are causing problems. Lucky for them, Alabama has plenty of sources of fresh water for gators to choose from, including lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Alligators seek to stay away from humans and only attack when provoked. Like Louisiana, Florida has a massive area of swampland (the Everglades), and the year-round sun makes for ideal conditions for the gators. An alligator in this period cannot digest food due to low body temperatures. Louisiana 2 3000-4000 (1500-2000 alligators removed) 1.5 million But in 2014, the "Stokes alligator" was caught in the Alabama River, bout 100 miles north of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. 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. Alligators have had a growing presence in North Alabama dating back to the 70s when more than 50 were introduced to Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. the opening of the newly renovated Gator Alley Boardwalk in Daphne, Buy newspaper front pages, posters and more. The state has great natural beauty including inland waterways and forests. Situated on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico (hence the name), Gulf Shores, Alabama, boasts mild and comfortable off-season temperatures, colorful sunsets, and warm water, making it a popular tourist destination. Alligator Infested Lakes: How Many Alligators Live in Texas Lake Lewisville? Alligators are carnivores and feed on whatever food is available. The alligator populations in Alabama remain healthy. The American alligator can weigh a mere 170 pounds all the way up to a hefty 800 pounds! As one of the largest lakes in the state, it has many gators that enjoy the 16,000 acres of lake coverage. Alligators presence is in freshwater lakes, ponds, marshy areas, and streams. That type of wildlife is alligators. Only around four per cent of alligator attacks on humans in the US have been fatal, according to the University of Florida. Therefore, an alligator attack is rare unless they feel threatened or provoked. So, if youre in gator country, its best to follow a few simple rules to reduce your risk of attack. Although South Carolina is warmer, on average, than North Carolina, it can still get quite cold. Alligators in Alabama begin courtship in April and breed in late May and early June. Fort Morgan. Florida is home to 1.3 million gators, while Louisiana boasts a whopping two million alligators throughout the state. Fish and . Therefore, if youre wearing something shiny, this could attract gators, thinking youre their next meal. The Cahaba River boasts of being the most diverse biologically in the country. 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. Wild alligators rarely chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles an hour on short land distances. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Supporting those divisions are seven support sections: Accounting, Diversity and Recruiting, Engineering, Information and Education, Information Technology, Legal, and Personnel and Payroll. Residents replied to the advice with sightings around their neighbourhoods: They are even at my store in the parking lot but only small ones so far, said social media user Delana. The maximum length is about 5.8 metres (19 feet), but it more typically ranges from about 1.8 to 3.7 metres (6 to 12 feet). Recent fatal alligator attacks in the southern states include a victim being pulled under the water in South Carolina in 2020. In 1938, Alabama was thefirst state to protect alligators. Book an airboat ride today or call us at 407-901-2563 for more information. Alligators feature dark green color with small black spots near their jaw. The Dauphin Island area is home to a variety of sea creatures, including common sharks including blacktip and bull sharks. Alligators like to feast on a variety of amphibians, birds, fish, reptiles and small mammals, including raccoons and rabbits. The North Alabama alligator population received a boost in the 1970s when about 50 alligators were released into the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, which spans 35,000 acres between Huntsville and Decatur.. Sheppard, who enjoys kayaking, said she's seen more than a few alligators in the . Alligators prefer water that is 80 to 92 F, but adults have been found in areas where temperatures reach well below that range. Registration begins at 8:00 AM CDT on June 7, 2022 (8:00 a.m. CDT) and ends July 13, 2022 (8:00 a.m. CDT). Jade Bremner. Whats the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in the Mississippi River? On land, they can run and move very fast, but only in short bursts. Are There Alligators in the Mississippi River? Alligators can propel their bodies up and out of the water. On 15 June 2016, a two-year-old boy was dragged into the water by an American alligator in Orlando, Florida. However, increased sightings in these areas may indicate a northern expansion of their historic range. Reported fatalities in an alligator attack are few and far between. Dont Throw Fish Scraps in the Water Dispose of fish scraps properly in garbage cans at boat ramps, fish camps, or when cleaning fish near water. Finally, if youre watching alligators from the safety of a boat, remember to never reach your hand out over the water. Still, some do! While it may seem like swimming without a lifeguard on duty is no threat on a beautiful, sunny day at the beach, if something goes wrong, you will not have access to immediate medical attention, and nobody with the proper training and equipment to save you. Gulf Shores offers the perfect habitat for freshwater bodies, marshes, and other free-flowing water entities. Alligators are some of the most interesting animals that live in the United States. The alligators will eventually change their behavior, and instead of shying away from men, they can begin to approach men aiming to get a meal. Remember to keep your pets on a leash at all times, especially when close to any body of water.. Texas has 400-500,000 alligators within its borders. Southern Florida is the only place where both alligators and crocodiles live side by side. It measured 15 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 1,011.5 pounds. There are four designated zones permitted by the state for hunting alligators. Kelly Smith, who has worked on Redstone Arsenal as a . The larger the reptile, the more daring it becomes when targeting prey. So how is it that we have a precise record of 19 feet, 2 inches and yet somehow . 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. The other gator species is the Chinese alligator, which is becoming extinct due to the overdevelopment of its habitat. Coastal marshlands around the state are key breeding grounds for these reptiles. 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. Alligators are also present in wetlands and marshes common along the south coast regions. A moving boat on a river or lake will look large for an alligator to attack. Alligators attack their prey by staying in the water with only their eyes peeping above the surface. According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, there are around 70,000 alligators living in Alabama today. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. On the other hand, alligators feature cone-shaped teeth and a powerful jaw, which is meant for crushing games. She will respond by fending you off before you even get near her children. Baby alligators grow a foot yearly in the early four years of life. In Texas, alligators live in the eastern portion . 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.