Alligator Facts - FWC

Maybe your like

Buy and Apply
Recreational
- Fishing & Hunting
  - How to Order
  - Do I Need a License?
  - Limited Entry/Quota Hunts
- Public Land Use
- Accessibility Accommodations
Commercial
- Commercial Licenses
  - Commercial Saltwater
  - Commercial Freshwater
  - CLS Online Login
- Charter Licenses
- Vessel Pier Licenses
Wildlife
- Wildlife Permits
- Nuisance Wildlife Permits
- Captive Wildlife Permits
More ...
- Application Forms
- Boating & Navigation
Resolve a Wildlife Conflict
Wildlife Alert
- Report a Violation
- Know the Rules
  - Captive Wildlife
  - Saltwater Recreational Regulations
  - Freshwater Recreational Regulations
  - Hunting Regulations
  - Boating Regulations
  - See All
Resolve Wildlife Conflict
- Learn to Unhook Seabirds
- Living with Wildlife
  - Bear
  - Bats
  - Coyote
  - Alligators and Crocodiles
  - Shorebirds/Seabirds
  - Snakes
  - See All
Report Issues
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
  - Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
  - Report Fish Kills
  - Red Tide Status
  - Report Sightings of Nonnative Species
  - Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees
  - See All
Engaging in Conservation
Conservation
- Value of Conservation
- Living with Wildlife
- Freshwater Programs
- Saltwater Programs
- Terrestrial Programs
- Stash the trash
- Special Initiatives
  - Coastal Wildlife
  - State Wildlife Action Plan
  - See All
Wildlife and Habitats
- Wildlife Conservation
- Nonnative Species
- Species Profiles
  - Alligator
  - Bald Eagle
  - Bear
  - Gopher Tortoise
  - Manatee
  - Panther
  - Sea Turtle
  - See All
How You Can Conserve
- Install Wildlife Lighting
- Exotic Pet Amnesty
- Habitat Management
  - Working with Private Landowners
  - Invasive Plants
  - Prescribed Fire
  - Management Plans
  - Aquatic Habitat Conservation
  - See All
- Education
  - Educators
  - Outdoor Skills
  - Learn about Wildlife
  - See All
Research
- Freshwater
- GIS and Mapping
- Habitat
- Manatee
- Red Tide
- Saltwater
- Wildlife
- Publications
- About
Things To Do
Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
  - Recreational Regulations
  - Commercial Regulations
  - Fish Identification
  - Fishing Education
  - Sites & Forecasts
  - See All
- Saltwater Fishing
  - Recreational Regulations
  - Commercial Regulations
  - Fish Identification
  - Saltwater Fishing Clinics
  - Provide Comments
  - See All
Hunting
- Regulations
  - WMA Brochures
  - Season Dates
  - Hunter Safety
  - Limited Entry Hunts
- New Hunter
- Public Shooting Ranges
- Alligator
- Deer
- Dove
- Turkey
- Quail
- Waterfowl
- Wild Hog
Wildlife Recreation
- Wildlife Viewing
  - Where to View Wildlife
  - How to View Wildlife
  - Backyards and Beyond
  - Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
  - See All
- Recreation on Wild Lands
  - What are WMAS?
  - Explore by name
  - Explore by map
  - What to Do
  - See All
Boating
- Regulations
- Safety & Education
  - Safety Equipment
  - ID Cards
  - Courses
  - See All
- Boat Ramps & Access
- Derelict Vessels
- Stash the trash
- Wear It Florida
- Wildlife Alert
Places To Go
WMAs
- WMA Brochures
  - Area Opened/Closed Status
- What are Wildlife Management Areas?
  - Explore By Name
  - Explore the Map
  - See All
Recreation
- Where to Go
  - Hunting
  - Fishing
  - Wildlife Viewing
  - Hiking
  - See All
- Outfitters and Guides
Public Shooting Ranges
- Range Safety Rules
- Safety & Education
- Map of public shooting ranges
Go Outdoors Florida!
- Discover Wildlands
- Fishing Sites & Forecasts
- Boating Ramps & Access
- Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
- Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
- Calendar of Events
- Artificial Reefs
About Us
About
- Inside FWC
  - Research Institute
  - Hunting and Game Management
  - Freshwater Fisheries Management
  - Law Enforcement
  - Habitat and Species Conservation
  - Marine Fisheries Management
  - See All
Commission
- Commission Meetings
- Commissioners
- Agency Overview
- Strategic Planning
- Rules & Regulations
- News
  - Sign up for news releases
Contact
- Social Media
- FWC Offices
- Law Enforcement
- Wildlife Alert
- Tell Us What You Think
- Rule Change Comments
- Public Records Requests
- Order Publications
- Signs
- Participation at Your Event
Get Involved
- Volunteer
- Internships
- Employment
  - Law Enforcement
  - Career Opportunities
- Support FWC
  - Gift Ideas
  - Youth Programs and Activities
  - Donate
  - Buy-a-Plate

Buy and Apply
- Recreational
  - Fishing & Hunting
    - How to Order
    - Do I Need a License?
    - Limited Entry/Quota Hunts
  - Public Land Use
  - Accessibility Accommodations
- Commercial
  - Commercial Licenses
    - Commercial Saltwater
    - Commercial Freshwater
    - CLS Online Login
  - Charter Licenses
  - Vessel Pier Licenses
- Wildlife
  - Wildlife Permits
  - Nuisance Wildlife Permits
  - Captive Wildlife Permits
- More ...
  - Application Forms
  - Boating & Navigation
Resolve a Wildlife Conflict
- Wildlife Alert
  - Report a Violation
  - Know the Rules
    - Captive Wildlife
    - Saltwater Recreational Regulations
    - Freshwater Recreational Regulations
    - Hunting Regulations
    - Boating Regulations
    - See All
- Resolve Wildlife Conflict
  - Learn to Unhook Seabirds
  - Living with Wildlife
    - Bear
    - Bats
    - Coyote
    - Alligators and Crocodiles
    - Shorebirds/Seabirds
    - Snakes
    - See All
- Report Issues
  - Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
    - Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
    - Report Fish Kills
    - Red Tide Status
    - Report Sightings of Nonnative Species
    - Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees
    - See All
Engaging in Conservation
- Conservation
  - Value of Conservation
  - Living with Wildlife
  - Freshwater Programs
  - Saltwater Programs
  - Terrestrial Programs
  - Stash the trash
  - Special Initiatives
    - Coastal Wildlife
    - State Wildlife Action Plan
    - See All
- Wildlife and Habitats
  - Wildlife Conservation
  - Nonnative Species
  - Species Profiles
    - Alligator
    - Bald Eagle
    - Bear
    - Gopher Tortoise
    - Manatee
    - Panther
    - Sea Turtle
    - See All
- How You Can Conserve
  - Install Wildlife Lighting
  - Exotic Pet Amnesty
  - Habitat Management
    - Working with Private Landowners
    - Invasive Plants
    - Prescribed Fire
    - Management Plans
    - Aquatic Habitat Conservation
    - See All
  - Education
    - Educators
    - Outdoor Skills
    - Learn about Wildlife
    - See All
- Research
  - Freshwater
  - GIS and Mapping
  - Habitat
  - Manatee
  - Red Tide
  - Saltwater
  - Wildlife
  - Publications
  - About
Things To Do
- Fishing
  - Freshwater Fishing
    - Recreational Regulations
    - Commercial Regulations
    - Fish Identification
    - Fishing Education
    - Sites & Forecasts
    - See All
  - Saltwater Fishing
    - Recreational Regulations
    - Commercial Regulations
    - Fish Identification
    - Saltwater Fishing Clinics
    - Provide Comments
    - See All
- Hunting
  - Regulations
    - WMA Brochures
    - Season Dates
    - Hunter Safety
    - Limited Entry Hunts
  - New Hunter
  - Public Shooting Ranges
  - Alligator
  - Deer
  - Dove
  - Turkey
  - Quail
  - Waterfowl
  - Wild Hog
- Wildlife Recreation
  - Wildlife Viewing
    - Where to View Wildlife
    - How to View Wildlife
    - Backyards and Beyond
    - Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
    - See All
  - Recreation on Wild Lands
    - What are WMAS?
    - Explore by name
    - Explore by map
    - What to Do
    - See All
- Boating
  - Regulations
  - Safety & Education
    - Safety Equipment
    - ID Cards
    - Courses
    - See All
  - Boat Ramps & Access
  - Derelict Vessels
  - Stash the trash
  - Wear It Florida
  - Wildlife Alert
Places To Go
- WMAs
  - WMA Brochures
    - Area Opened/Closed Status
  - What are Wildlife Management Areas?
    - Explore By Name
    - Explore the Map
    - See All
- Recreation
  - Where to Go
    - Hunting
    - Fishing
    - Wildlife Viewing
    - Hiking
    - See All
  - Outfitters and Guides
- Public Shooting Ranges
  - Range Safety Rules
  - Safety & Education
  - Map of public shooting ranges
- Go Outdoors Florida!
  - Discover Wildlands
  - Fishing Sites & Forecasts
  - Boating Ramps & Access
  - Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
  - Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
  - Calendar of Events
  - Artificial Reefs
About Us
- About
  - Inside FWC
    - Research Institute
    - Hunting and Game Management
    - Freshwater Fisheries Management
    - Law Enforcement
    - Habitat and Species Conservation
    - Marine Fisheries Management
    - See All
- Commission
  - Commission Meetings
  - Commissioners
  - Agency Overview
  - Strategic Planning
  - Rules & Regulations
  - News
    - Sign up for news releases
- Contact
  - Social Media
  - FWC Offices
  - Law Enforcement
  - Wildlife Alert
  - Tell Us What You Think
  - Rule Change Comments
  - Public Records Requests
  - Order Publications
  - Signs
  - Participation at Your Event
- Get Involved
  - Volunteer
  - Internships
  - Employment
    - Law Enforcement
    - Career Opportunities
  - Support FWC
    - Gift Ideas
    - Youth Programs and Activities
    - Donate
    - Buy-a-Plate

Home
Wildlife & Habitats
Wildlife Conservation
Alligator Management Program
Alligator Facts

Alligator Facts

Alligator management programs implemented by FWC emphasize the conservation of alligator populations for their ecological, aesthetic, and economic values while providing for public use and safety.

Facts and Information

Expand All | Collapse All Legal Status Expand/Collapse Legal Status

The American alligator is classified by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as similarity of appearance to a threatened taxon. This listing provides federal protection for alligators but allows state-approved management and control programs. This listing has been adopted by the State of Florida. Alligators can be legally taken only by individuals with proper licenses and permits.

Food Habits Expand/Collapse Food Habits

Alligators are opportunistic feeders. Their diets include prey species that are abundant and easily accessible. Juvenile alligators eat primarily insects, amphibians, small fish, and other invertebrates. Adult alligators eat rough fish, snakes, turtles, small mammals, and birds. Go to the following links for more information:

Diet and Condition of American Alligators in Three Central Florida Lakes

Size Expand/Collapse Size

Female alligators rarely exceed 10 feet in length, but males can grow much larger. The Florida state record for length is a 14 foot 3-1/2 inch male from Lake Washington in Brevard County. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10-1/2 inches long) male from Orange Lake in Alachua County.

Reproduction Expand/Collapse Reproduction

Nearly all alligators become sexually mature by the time they reach approximately 7 feet in length although females can reach maturity at 6 feet. A female may require 10-15 years and a male 8-12 years to reach these lengths. Courtship begins in early April, and mating occurs in May or June. Females build a mound nest of soil, vegetation, or debris and deposit an average of 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. Incubation requires approximately 63-68 days, and hatching occurs from mid-August through early September.

Survival Expand/Collapse Survival

About 1/3 of alligator nests are destroyed by predators (mainly raccoons) or flooding. The average clutch size of an alligator nest is 38. For nests that survive predators and flooding, an estimated 24 live hatchlings will emerge. Only 10 alligator hatchlings will live to one year. Of these yearlings, 8 will become subadults (reach 4 feet in length). The number of subadults that reach maturity (6 feet in length) is approximately 5. These estimates are for a growing alligator population. As a population matures (and has a higher percentage of large alligators), the survival rate would be expected to be lower, in part due to a higher rate of cannibalism.

Mortality Expand/Collapse Mortality

Eggs: Alligator eggs are susceptible to drowning, being crushed by the female, predation, and other less common calamities. Raccoons are the primary predator, although hogs, otters, and bears have been reported to depredate nests.

Juveniles: Small alligators are eaten by a variety of predators including raccoons, otters, wading birds, and fish; however, larger alligators may be their most significant predator.

Adults: Cannibalism, intraspecific fighting, and hunting by humans are probably the most significant mortality factors.

Diseases and Parasites: Very little information is available in the scientific literature on wild alligator diseases and parasites. They are not believed to be a significant problem for wild alligators.

Distribution Expand/Collapse Distribution

Alligators occur from southeast Oklahoma and east Texas on the western side of their range to North Carolina and Florida in the east. They prefer fresh water lakes and slow-moving rivers and their associated wetlands, but they also can be found in brackish water habitats.

Native Range of the American Alligator

Thermoregulation Expand/Collapse Thermoregulation

Alligators are ectothermic -- they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. Alligators control their body temperature by basking in the sun, or moving to areas with warmer or cooler air or water temperatures. Alligators are most active when temperatures are between 82° to 92° F (28° to 33° C). They stop feeding when the ambient temperature drops below approximately 70° F (21° C) and they become dormant below 55° F (13° C). Alligators are dormant throughout much of the winter season. During this time, they can be found in burrows (or "dens") that they construct adjacent to an alligator hole or open water, but they occasionally emerge to bask in the sun during spells of warm weather. The article at this link contains information about thermoregulation in Everglades alligators.

Evolution Expand/Collapse Evolution

The most recent evidence indicates that crocodilians (which includes alligators) and dinosaurs evolved from a common ancestor that existed subsequent to the common ancestor that they share with other reptiles. So, even though alligators are classified as reptiles along with lizards, snakes, and turtles, they are actually more closely related to birds, whose direct ancestors were dinosaurs!

The Heart of an Alligator Expand/Collapse The Heart of an Alligator

While most reptiles have 3-chambered hearts, the heart of alligators, and all crocodilians, has 4 chambers, a trait shared with mammals and birds. The advantage of a 4-chambered heart is that oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood are separated, which results in more efficient respiration needed for the high metabolism of endothermic (warm-blooded) animals, and enables different pulmonary (lung) and systemic blood pressures, but is seemly over-complex for ectothermic (cold-blooded) crocodilians. The single ventricle of the 3-chambered reptile heart allows some mixing of oxygenated blood with deoxygenated blood, which may help regulate their metabolic state. Crocodilians have evolved a shunt between the left and right aorta (immediately above the ventricles) to facilitate the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Crocodilians also have a valve in the pulmonary artery that, when closed, forces deoxygenated blood to recirculate through the left aorta, which increases mixing. This increased mixing helps crocodilians transition to a lower metabolic state, and enables them to dive for extended periods.

Some scientists have hypothesized that the complex heart structure of crocodilians might indicate that they evolved from endothermic (warm-blooded) ancestors.

Go to the external links below for more information.

The Physiological and Evolutionary Significance of Cardiovascular Shunting Patterns in Reptiles
How long can a crocodile stay underwater?

Eye-Shine Expand/Collapse Eye-Shine

The tell-tale eye-shine of an alligator (and other nocturnal vertebrates) is caused by a layer of cells called the tapetum lucidum (a Latin phrase meaning "bright carpet"). This structure is located beneath the photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina and reflects light back into these cells to increase the amount of light detected, which improves an alligator's vision in low light conditions. In alligators this eye-shine is red, but it can be different colors in other species. For more information, see the documents at the links below.

Texas Parks and Wildlife: Eyeshine
Wikipedia: Tapetum lucidum

Alligator Management Program

Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
Statewide Alligator Harvest Program
Alligator Facts
Alligator Resources for Kids
Private Lands Alligator Program
Alligator Farming
Alligator Data
Media Resources
Alligator Links
Alligator Meat Processors and Hide Buyers
Alligator Super Hunt

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

FWC Alligator Research Publications

💬 Ask Buck! ✖

Tag » What Does A Alligator Eat

Recreational

Commercial

Wildlife

More ...

Wildlife Alert

Resolve Wildlife Conflict

Report Issues

Conservation

Wildlife and Habitats

How You Can Conserve

Research

Fishing

Hunting

Wildlife Recreation

Boating

WMAs

Recreation

Public Shooting Ranges

Go Outdoors Florida!

About

Commission

Contact

Get Involved

Facts and Information

Native Range of the American Alligator

Alligator Management Program

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Contact