Alabama is home to turkeys, black bears, a wide variety of snakes, and yes, alligators. AgDaily, OutdoorHub All Rights Reserved Carbon Media Group Outdoors. Florida is also home to Gainesville, the most alligator-infested city in the US. Lets take a look at Alabamas own native crocodilian, the American alligator. On land, they can run and move very fast, but only in short bursts. Given its location on the ocean with many rivers, streams, marshes, lagoons, and lakes in the area, this begs the question: are there alligators in Gulf Shores, Alabama? Handling even small alligators can result in injury. 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. While its best never to enter the water with gators, hold back on tossing fish guts and other alligator delicacies in the water. The other gator species is the Chinese alligator, which is becoming extinct due to the overdevelopment of its habitat. Now we know how many alligators live in Alabama, but just where can you find them? Alligators will attack or defend themselves by biting their victim. In 1938, Alabama was thefirst state to protect alligators. You can swim near waterboards or have artificial pools in different recreation facilities. The registration for that closes in July. Alabama enjoys great weather all year round. Habitat in the northern half of the state is marginal. The majority of American Alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana . In 1967, the American alligator was placed on the Endangered Species List by the U.S. How Much Does Alligator Tags Cost In 2023? - Cost Aide The alligators in the water will tend to move out of the way of the oncoming boat. Gulf State Park. Alligators in Oklahoma turn into 'popsicles' sticking out of the frozen Also, if youre drinking alcohol on the beach, its even more important to bring plenty of water to drink throughout the day to avoid dehydration. The waters below Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail are home to many alligators, and while enjoying the opportunity to exercise, you will spot an alligator in the wild. Therefore, when theres no lifeguard on duty, you should not be swimming. Always remember to use extreme caution while on Lake Eufaula. Gators in the state prefer wetlands, lakes, rivers, and even a few reservoirs. Alligators can be found in the coastal, southeastern states as far north as North Carolina, and as far west as the Rio Grande River in Texas. By comparison the Atchafalaya Basin swamp (the Landry's gator hunting area) is about 207,000 acres. In addition to creating unpredictable rip currents in the water, flash flooding and the chance of being struck by lightning are real threats when visiting. Their most distinctive feature is their head, which is long and filled with up to 80 teeth at a time. As a matter of fact, a record-breaking alligator was pulled from Lake Eufaula in August 2015 that weighed in at 920 pounds. They will cover the eggs with whatever vegetation is available in the habitat in which they live to form a mound. About 1/3 of alligator nests are destroyed by predators (mainly raccoons) or flooding. These attacks occur because the shark thinks the human is a fish or other sea creature. The Yellowhammer state does allow younger hunters 16 and up to . 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. 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. There are plenty of other dangers when swimming in Gulf Shores than alligators, especially the suns damaging UV rays and pop-up thunderstorms, so focus on having a plan for each of these hazards first. With around 70,000 gators, it might seem like Alabama has more alligators than any other state. 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. Do Alligators Hibernate In Alabama? - PartyShopMaine Give it a wide berth. Are There Alligators in Texas? - UntamedAnimals You can also distinguish them by examining the color of their skin. They can live 70 to 100 years. Alligators can be found in places other than the United States. After fighting with this angry gator for more than an hour, Tom Grant and his buddies were able to wrestle it to shore. Alligators are a protected species in Alabama. During mating season, female alligators lay 30-40 eggs, which incubate for 60-65 days. Lucky for them, Alabama has plenty of sources of fresh water for gators to choose from, including lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Only 50 permits were issued in 2006. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. 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. AL.com The current record holder for the largest alligator ever caught is a 15-foot-9-inch gator that clocked in at 1,011.5 pounds and was captured in Mill Creek, Alabama, according to ABC. The state does offer a limited number of hunting licences per year, which must be applied for in advance. Texas has 400-500,000 alligators within its borders. Wild alligators rarely chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles an hour on short land distances. jaimie tuchman/Shutterstock.com. Louisiana has the most alligators of all of the states, with over two million gators residing there. 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. An alligator snout is broad and U-shaped at the end, while a crocodile has a narrower, sharp snout. How Much Do Alligator Tags Cost? (2021) - CostFreak Selections for each zone will be held at 12:00 PM CDT on the second Wednesday of July. When it comes to gators, Texas comes in third for the total population. Come and interact with our heritage Alligators while paddling, hiking, riding, or even strolling within the parks. If an alligator passes in front of you, remain as still as possible and exit the water immediately. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as well as Arkansas, Georgia and the Carolinas. Any alligator you will see during your visit to Alabama is the American Alligator. But in the past 50 years their population in the state has grown to the point where hundreds of annual complaints about them are reported. There are only two species of alligator; the American alligator, and the Chinese alligator. OUTDOORS: Growing gator population allows for limited hunting Fish scales reflect in the sun, which helps alligators hunt their prey. The Stokes alligator was caught in the Alabama River, bout 100 miles north of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. Are There Alligators in the Mississippi River? 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. A visit to the southern half of Alabama will give you a high chance of seeing an alligator. The Alabama River is a river located in the U.S. state of Alabama. There is no way you can come across an alligator in the ocean. Experts maintain that a safe distance from an alligator is around 60 feet. The city has also advised that under no circumstances should residents feed the reptiles, as providing food will help them to make the link between humans and food and cause further danger. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. 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. Although initially, you could only find alligators in southern Alabama, reports of their sightings in the northern parts are increasing. Although in Alabama, alligators have the freedom to live freely in nature. The mounted 15-foot, 9 . Adhere to set down rules and caution when near waters infested with alligators. South Carolina has around 100,000 gators within its borders, primarily in the south and along the coast. While baby alligators are just about six to eight inches long, shorter than a human forearm, an adult male alligator can be up to 15 feet long and can weigh up to 1000 pounds, even though a weight between 500 and 600 pounds is more common. The more wildlife, the more exciting for me to come over here and immerse myself in it, said Wall. Baby alligators grow a foot yearly in the early four years of life. Absolutely leave it alone. But, how many alligators live in Alabama? What Do Swamp People Do With the Alligators? - The Cinemaholic Hunters can apply for a hunting permit, though, with only a few hundred given out every year, chances of getting one are small. You will get to see alligators in the rivers Perdido and Escambia. Human/alligator conflicts are rare. One of the places where one can find many gators is Lake Jessup. Thankfully, not every state has a native population of alligators. Permit for 2 CITES tags (for those who already have a license): $62. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. 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 . Here's a Map of All the Surprising Places Alligators Have - Yahoo! Also, crocs require hotter temperatures to survive, while alligators can withstand freezing lakes. Permit and alligator trapping license for resident disability hunt/fish license holders: $22. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Higher densities of alligators occur in wetland habitats such as coastal marshes, natural lakes, riverine wetlands and some reservoirs. Alligator Facts | FWC - Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission It may come as no surprise that Louisiana is the most alligator-infested state in the entire US. Alligators are a top predator species and help keep other animal populations in balance. In fact, alligators live in approximately half of the state's fresh waters. There are legitimate environmental issues affecting our Bay and our communities, but the data available does not support the belief that our Bay is not safe for swimming or for fishing. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the American alligator on the Endangered Species List. Facebook user Joan said: I have lived here for over 30 years and never seen so many gators as we have now.. Other states use state wildlife officials to remove alligators that are causing problems. 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. Fairly common in many Coastal Plain lakes, rivers, and associated aquatic habitats, and common in Mobile - Tensaw Delta. 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. Six months ago an alligator was found on Zeirdt road near Town Madison. Blacktips grow up to 6 feet and eat a diet of fish. There is an estimated population of 1,000+ alligators that live in North Carolina, with that number seemingly increasing a bit each year. How Many People Die Every Year From Alligator Attacks? One can find . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Well also learn a little more about the species in general. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) Three large sharks are being tracked this week off the coast of Alabama. American alligators werent actually placed on the endangered species list until 1967. Coastal marshlands around the state are key breeding grounds for these reptiles. Once they pass, move away from the alligator, or exit the water immediately to avoid a confrontation. The full-grown alligators can, and did, make it through the colder north Alabama winters and a population of them has managed to hang on in the Tennessee River 37 years after the U.S. However, there are tips for swimming with these creatures. Southern Florida is the only place where both alligators and crocodiles live side by side. Alligators have been known to venture onto Gulf Shore beaches, but this is rare. Alligator Attacks - International Shark Attack File - Florida Museum Only around four per cent of alligator attacks on humans in the US have been fatal, according to the University of Florida. Alligator jaws exert up to 1,000 pounds of pressure since they are desired to crush prey. The alligators in Alabama are currently around 70,000. Robinson Island. Alligators are becoming more common across North Alabama - WHNT.com Estimates indicate that there are about 70,000 gators in the state. Are There Alligators in Smith Lake Alabama (Explained) The answer to this question is a definite yes. Are There Alligators in Savannah, Georgia? Stokes and her crew took the gator in Mill Creek, a tributary of the Alabama River. Quick Answer: Where Is Bear Creek Alabama, Quick Answer: Where Is Eight Mile Alabama. While they may occasionally show up in others, they arent breeding and living there year-round. The Gulf of Mexico is full of jellyfish, and on some days, the beach may be closed due to large gatherings of this creature close to shore. Georgia is home to between 200-250,000 alligators, primarily in the southern region of the state. Are There Alligators in the Mississippi River? The American alligator can weigh a mere 170 pounds all the way up to a hefty 800 pounds! If you are a regular viewer of the series, you might be aware that alligator hunting is not only common in . Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Along the river are swimming holes where you can splash the summer heat away. It measured 15 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 1,011.5 pounds. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. They are native to China, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Distribution of the American alligator in Alabama is typically limited to the southern half of the state, mostly due to habitat and temperature requirements. Theyre the only crocodilian in Alabama waters and can grow to a whopping 19 feet long. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Alligator Infested Lakes: How Many Alligators Live in Texas Lake Lewisville? Crocs like in salty waters but can also live in freshwater marshes and wetlands. Two decades of protection enabled the species to rebound. While in Alabama, take the chance to swim in one of the top-ranking swimming holes in the state, Little River Canyon. In the 1970s, the American alligator in Alabama was put on the endangered species list because they were hunted to near extinction. Whats the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in the Mississippi River? The Sixth Largest Alligator - Tom Grant's Alligator - 13'1.5". As alligators grow larger so do their food items.