Taken in the back end of the large marshes we visit.
A small sea of tall reeds and cane, along the marsh water is where mom builds her nests. Every year she has a bunch of small gators from between 20 – 50 eggs. She will protect young for about 2 years.
Females grow to around 8-9 feet long. I think Mom fits that size. Good to see her here, it means more little ones later this year. Females can be aggressive around young. The most I have ever seen is they will swim between me and any young. Which is a warning, besides I’m not getting all that close to them anyway.
Mom Is Home, Alligator
Mom Is Home, Alligator
☺️🙂🙌🏼
😊😊
Distance is your friend with these moms. I didn’t realize the females are typically so much smaller than the 10 – 15 feet long adults, which I now understand are grand-daddies. Yikes.
It can be hard to guess age with them after a while. I assume the condition of their teeth (but they can regrow them 3 times). After a while they get so big who cares LOL.