El Largato

Alligator Mississipiensis



More than the palm tree, more than the white sand beaches, more than the orange groves, the one symbol most linked to Florida is the alligator.  Named by the Spanish explorers in the 1500’s, “El Largato” morphed to “Alligator” in English and then, more popularly just “gator”. This reptile official name is Alligator Mississipiensis, and he is found in the world only in the southeastern USA. He is often mistaken for its saltwater cousin, the crocodile. The gator, however is a freshwater animal. 

The oldest fossil remains date to 200 million years ago, about the same time the dinosaurs became the dominant land vertebrate on earth. But unlike the dinosaurs, which died out 65 MYA, the alligator has been one tough survivor. In addition to being a stealthy predator, he has the ability to adapt to local and global climate changes. One reason is his wide variety of diet. Crustaceans, snakes, birds, insects, fish, small mammals, and vegetation are food. Even jewelry, metal wire and stones have been found in stomach analyses! (As we were told by a park ranger, the gator follows a simple dietary rule, “If it moves, eat it. If it doesn’t move, eat it anyway.”)  He has the ability to go many weeks between meals.  He can tolerate lengthy dry periods by digging “gator holes” in the wetlands during the wet season which will hold water longer than the surrounding terrain. In cool weather, he thermoregulates his body temperature by laying in the sun during the day and returning to the relatively warm water at night. He can exist in cold, even freezing spells by semi-hibernating on lake bottoms, coming up for air only 4 times a day.  As an adult, he is the apex predator, with only one threat…..man.

If It Moves, Eat It

This amazing creature was hunted almost to extinction in the early twentieth century. His hide produces a rugged and beautiful leather. In 1902 alone 280,000 hides were handled by US tanneries.  But by the 1940’s, conservation measures were being implemented and hunting restrictions were in place. In 1967 Florida, as a model for the later Federal Endangered Species Act, banned all alligator hunting.  The efforts of the conservationists were successful. By 1987 the alligator was declared fully recovered! Today, there are estimated to be over 1 million gators in the Florida wild.

Thermoregulating

Unfortunately, the gator has a reputation for being a vicious and prolific attacker of man. But the facts prove otherwise. Since 1948, only 275 unprovoked attacks with 17 fatalities have occurred. Far more people have died of lightening strikes. Most gators are wary of man and will scurry away when approached. But as humans have expanded their populations into formerly wild habitats, more and more gator/human confrontations are occurring.  Pets, farm animals and even young children have been attacked. So today, selective “relocating” of mature gators is allowed. (Not to be naïve, we all know that “relocating” animal pests is the socially polite term for killing them. Trappers pay for the permits and profit by selling the hides. A 6-7 foot hide can bring up to $300)

Even in the Sanibel Island “Ding Darling” nature preserve, we were told that as a matter of routine, alligators over 4 foot were “removed” to ensure no attacks on the tourists.  Wild gators are being removed from a wild nature preserve? That was hard for us to understand.

A more passive policy is in effect In the Everglades National Park. Only large gators that are injured or exhibit aggressive behavior are removed. Granted, this a much larger park, with far more wilderness, but this policy seems to be more in line with a policy of sustainable populations.

May is mating season for gators. Males become more aggressive, as they seek out females and ward off competitors. You can see them in all hours of the day moving around on all fours. One was in our parking lot last week. I have yet to hear it, but they will “bellow” to attract the ladies. That’s a low rumbling growl which might be mistaken for distant thunder. Here's a link to hear the bellowing:  Alligator Bellowing

The female then lays 20 -50 eggs in a grass nest, which hatch in mid August. Unique among reptiles, the mother will guard the nest and then defend the young for several months after hatching. But the dad follows the simple dietary rule and will eat the babies.

Baby Gator

Hatchlings are about 9 inches in length. Their rate of growth will vary with climate and availability of food. At 6 years old the average gator is about 6 foot. Fully mature gators are usually 10 to 12 feet, but specimens of 14 feet are not uncommon. The official record is just under 20 feet!

Stealth Mode

Looking at a still or swimming gator it’s hard to tell how big he is. Usually all you see are his eyes and nose just above the surface.  But you can estimate his size by the distance between them. That distance in inches is his length in feet.

Whenever they are seen, aligators spark both awe and fear from a generally appreciative Florida public. In the past 50 years there has been a huge increase in the amount of lands that have been set aside as “protected”. Protected means no new buildings, limited or no vehicular traffic and no hunting. In Southwestern Florida, the goal is to connect these reserves and parks with additional purchases so that the larger animals (deer, gators, panthers, bobcats, bear) have the necessary habitat for survival. Already, 26% of Sarasota County is protected and connected land!  Given this level of population concern, I’m optimistic that the gator will be with us for a long time to come.