One of the most alligator-infested areas in Florida is Lake George. To understand why this is, you must first understand American alligators themselves, how to identify them, how they reproduce, and finally, why there are so many in Lake George. Let’s go!
How To Identify American Alligators
Significantly larger than their Chinese counterparts, American alligators are apex predators native to the southeastern United States and are probably the biggest species in the Alligatoridae family. Commonly mixed up with American crocodiles, the easiest way to tell them apart is by their head shape and color. American alligators have a large snout that conceals all of their teeth when their jaws are closed, unlike crocodiles, which have a more narrow snout with a portion of their bottom-row teeth exposed when their jaws are closed. Adult alligators are usually a darker shade of gray with a lighter underside, while the juveniles have light-colored stripes by their sides for camouflage, unlike crocodiles which are more brown than gray. It is also not uncommon for alligators to blend into whatever areas they are, which is why it is sometimes hard to notice them swimming toward you. American alligators, the largest species in their family, usually grow very long. The males can grow as long as 11.2 to 15.7 feet (3.4 to 4.8 meters), and although the females hardly ever grow past 10 feet, they still get as long as 8.5 to 9.8 feet (2.6 to 3 meters). Male American alligators can weigh up to 1230 lbs (560kg), with the record for the biggest alligator being from Orange Lake in the Alachua county area of Florida.
What Do American Alligators Eat?
Although American alligators are omnivorous, they prefer being carnivorous, feeding on smaller prey. They usually feed on fish like alligator gars, largemouth bass, birds, mammals, amphibians like turtles, frogs, toads, other reptiles, etc. Juvenile alligators feed on smaller fish, insects, amphibians, and invertebrates. American alligators also occasionally eat fruits like wild grapes and other citrus fruits. Contrary to popular belief, American alligators do not eat as much because they have a slow metabolic rate. The amount of food they can eat reduces even more during the winter because, at that point, their bodies would be preparing to go into the hibernation period for cold-blooded animals, called brumation. Because alligators are at the top of the food chain, they do not have any predators. However, their eggs and hatchlings are preyed on by bigger animals. As apex predators, American alligators are primarily nocturnal creatures. During the day, you can find them in the river with only their nostrils and eyes peeking out or by the edge of water banks, sunning themselves because they are cold-blooded creatures. Also, American alligators are opportunistic feeders because they usually just feed on whatever is available.
Where are American Alligators Found?
American alligators are very common reptiles to find in most states of the country, including Texas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. These big boys also serve as the official state reptile of Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They prefer freshwater habitats and slow-moving rivers and surrounding wetlands and can also inhabit lakes, ponds, swamps, and streams. However, they can sometimes move to brackish waters but do not inhabit saltwater primarily because the salt glands on their tongues do not function well enough. Generally, American alligators prefer open waters, especially in spring. However, during the summer, the females tend to retreat to swampy areas where they prepare their nests and lay their eggs. During brumation, which usually happens every winter, some American alligators remain underwater while some hide in burrows, lairs, underneath riverbanks, or clumps of trees.
Why American Alligators Thrive in Lake George
There are over 1.3 million American alligators in Florida. Although these apex predators were once on the verge of extinction in the state, aggressive conservation efforts helped save them. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Lake George in Florida has one of the largest populations of alligators, with over 2300 alligators, including bull gators which grow 9 feet long and sometimes longer. This fact makes it the second largest alligator-infested lake in the country. Also called Lake Welaka, meaning “chain of rivers” in Timucua, Lake George is a broad and shallow brackish lake on St. John’s River in the Volusia/Putnam counties, Florida. Lake George is 6 miles wide (9.7km), 11 miles long (18km), and is home to two islands, Drayton and Hog islands. The lake is as deep as 8 feet (2.4 meters) and has a surface area of around 46,000 acres. Another reason Lake George is the perfect habitat for American alligators, aside from the lake’s depth and the fact that it is brackish, is the variety of fish, plants, and other wildlife that live in and around the lake and along its shores. The abundance of prey makes it easy for alligators to thrive in the area.
How Do American Alligators Reproduce?
Alligators birth their young by laying eggs. Although females can attain sexual maturity at 6 feet, most alligators reach this stage around 7 feet long. A female might need 10 to 15 years to grow that long, while a male might need 8 to 12 years. Following the period of courtship and mating, female alligators lay their eggs. Courtship starts in early April, and mating happens in May or June. Most female alligators retreat to swamps to build their nests out of the soil, vegetation, and other debris. Alligator eggs take between two to three months to hatch. Until they do, she keeps an eye on them until they hatch. Depending on the mother’s size and age, a nest may contain between 30 and 70 eggs. Alligator babies, which measure between 8 and 10 inches (20 and 25 centimeters) in length, are at risk from predators, including fish, birds, and other alligators. They grow roughly one foot (30 cm) longer per year during the first three to four years of their lives and after that, growth becomes more gradual. In the wild, alligators have an average lifespan of 50 years.
Up Next…
Florida’s Alligator Infested Lakes: Why Orange Lake is an Alligator Haven The 10 Most Alligator Infested Lakes in the United States 10 Incredible Alligator Facts
