This is what you get when one Alligator decides to ‘profile’, growl, and claim territory. An answer. The first article (click here to view) displayed a large male starting the whole thing.
Alligators answered his challenge all around the marsh, including this one close by that I had not even seen.
I was under one of the few trees, in the shade. This one I guess was just down the bank a little ways, getting shade too.
His response was pretty loud, scared this poor Redwing right out of the brush.
I don’t think he was aware of me either since as soon as I moved to get a better angle he came towards us.
I have seen this before, it is instinct. A competitor called out, he came towards movement. Pretty simple. It didn’t help that other Alligators around were still profiling loudly.
Click, or double tap, any image below to view the gallery.
I had to lean out over the water to get this last shot, the Alligator was done now… forgot all about the calls. There was a poor Night Heron sitting a short distance from this Alligator. He never moved a muscle, froze in place. He was still there when we moved away.
A “play” in several acts. The sights and sounds must be something to witness!
The sound is like nothing I’ve ever heard, loud but not really a roar. I guess they have no vocal cords. They all answer each other, it’s tense. In fairness most times it’s just posturing. Still… oh yeah, way cool too.