Alligators Are Amazing

Alligators are fascinating members of the crocodilian family, which includes crocodiles, caimans, and both American and Chinese alligators. These cold-blooded reptiles thrive in wetland areas and can grow anywhere from six to fifteen feet long.

Here in Southwest Georgia, spotting an American alligator is quite common. Whether you’re at Lake Seminole, river tributaries, or even a small pond, you’re likely to see a few. We even have quite a few on McFadden properties in our wetland. Interestingly, the American alligator was once on the brink of extinction. Their populations hit rock bottom in the early 1960s due to various factors. However, their numbers have rebounded thanks to effective management and conservation efforts by state and federal governments. By 1987, alligators were removed from “total protection” status under the Endangered Species Act and are now listed as “threatened by similarity of appearance” due to their resemblance to other protected crocodilians. According to the Georgia DNR, our current alligator population is between 200,000 and 250,000.

Alligators typically stay close to their hatching area for two to three years before establishing their own range. Females usually have smaller territories, while males may roam over more than two square miles. During severe droughts, alligators might travel considerable distances searching for suitable waters.

Alligators can live up to 60 years in captivity, but in the wild, they rarely exceed 50 years. Females lay an average of 35 to 40 eggs, which incubate for about 65 days. Sadly, only about 20 percent of the hatchlings survive to maturity, as many fall prey to predators and other alligators.

Here are some amazing facts about American alligators:

1. Alligators are ancient. They have undergone very little evolutionary change since the time of the dinosaurs. American alligators appeared around 84 million years ago. The only older reptiles are tortoises and turtles.
2. They can weigh more than 1,000 pounds. The largest alligator on record was caught on Mill Creek in Alabama. It measured 15 feet, nine inches long, and weighed 1,011.5 pounds. The largest known crocodile on record from Australia is 17 feet long.
3. Their sex is determined by temperature, rather than DNA. If the temperature of the nest is warm, male alligators are born; if the temperature is cool, females are born.
4. They can run fast but tire quickly. On land, they can run up to 35 miles per hour, which is faster than most humans. However, they are sprinters and can’t keep that pace for long. In the water, they can swim up to 30 miles per hour using their powerful tails to propel them.
5. Their eyes glow in the dark. Alligators’ eyes glow red due to a structure in the back of their eyes that reflects light to improve night vision. Their eyes are on the top of their heads, making it easy for them to lie almost completely submerged in water and still see their prey.
6. They prefer meat but aren’t opposed to fruit. Recent discoveries during research have confirmed that they eat fruit, vegetables, seeds, and legumes. The younger alligators eat bugs, crayfish, frogs, and small fish, while their parents feed on larger fish, snakes, turtles, birds, and mammals.
7. They thrive in slow-moving waters. All alligators live in freshwater only and prefer slow-moving creeks, rivers, marshes, swamps, and lakes. However, they can be found in deep water during the breeding season from April to May.
8. Alligators can go through 3,000 teeth over a lifetime. They have about 75 teeth in their mouths at one time. As their teeth wear down or break off, they are replaced.
9. Alligators can bite with nearly 3,000 pounds per square inch. Their bite is one of the most powerful in the world. No wonder they lose so many chompers!
10. Their length can be estimated by the inches between the center of the skull and the nostrils. This number can then be translated into feet to give an estimate of the entire length of the alligator. For example, if the measurement is eight inches from the center of the eyes to the nostrils, then the alligator is approximately eight feet long.
11. They care for their young, unlike most reptiles. Female alligators carry and look after their young for about two years, making sure they are safe and well-fed.
12. They spend months in gator holes. Alligators don’t hibernate; they go through a period of dormancy called brumation. Brumation can last for up to five months, during which their heart rates and metabolism slow way down. Gator holes can be up to 65 feet long and protect the alligator when it’s too hot or cold.
13. They are the loudest reptiles in the world. During mating season, they roar so loud that their calls have been recorded at 90 decibels, as loud as a lawnmower. Males also use this roar to scare off predators.
14. Alligator blood is antibiotic and antiviral. Studies performed on wild alligator blood have found that it is active against HIV-1, West Nile Virus, and Herpes simplex virus. These properties help protect the alligators from infection after injuries. So far, their blood has only been studied in the laboratory and is not being used in human medicine.
15. Alligators can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes in warm water and for hours in cold water.
16. Alligators sweat through their mouths. They are often seen with their heads out of the water, their mouths open and their teeth showing. They do this to cool their body down.

Rudy, Lisa J. “15 Amazing Facts About Alligators.” TreeHugger. May 30, 2024. https://www.treehugger.com/alligator-facts-5119214.

Waters, Greg Sr, John Bowers, and Melissa Cummings. 2011. Guide to Alligator Hunting in Georgia. 6th ed. GA DNR.