Louisiana Alligators
Louisiana's alligator population tops that of all other states combined, which means it's usually just a short drive to marvel at these fierce and inquisitive creatures at gator attractions.
By Anna Marschalk-Burns
For many of us, spotting an alligator in the wild might signal that it’s time to start running. But fear not, despite that sinister looking grin, alligators rarely make unprovoked attacks on humans. In fact, even though they possess the strongest bite of any living animal, alligators will typically avoid contact with us.
Louisiana didn't always have such an abundant alligator population however. In the early 1960s, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries noticed a massive drop in the alligator population. Poachers, eager to make a buck, were killing alligators and selling the much-coveted skins to the fashion industry. Since then, these fierce creatures have been taken under the wing of the Pelican State, and conservation programs are ensuring their survival. Alligator ranches incubate eggs found in the wild and then rear and release 14 percent of the alligators back into their natural habitat. These conservation efforts have been wildly successful: 300,000 ‘gators in 1985 multiplied to nearly three million today.
It is no wonder these reptiles are referred to as the "King of the Everglades.” Typically ranging in size from eight to 15
feet and living for up to 80 years makes them a predator to be reckoned with. The force of their famed bite is roughly equivalent to a small car being dropped upon you. A car with teeth, that is. Ironically, their spoon-shaped jaw makes it difficult for them to pick up food. They compensate by typically swallowing (whole) anything surrounding the meal at hand. Their strong stomach acids mean that even steel - like a discarded license plate - can be digested. Sensors inside their jaws allow them to detect subtle movement in the water, helping them locate potential food sources.
The Pelican State offers a wealth of opportunities to get close to these reptiles at various Louisiana attractions without the potential dangers of meeting one in the wild. On the Cajun Pride Swamp Tour, they lurk beneath the water with just their eyes and a bit of snout showing. Eccentric tour guides lure the alligators close to the boat with marshmallows as bait and regale you with information and tales of ‘gator wrestling.
In addition to demonstrations with live gators, the tours at Insta-Gator ranch and hatchery in Covington detail the state conservation and ranching efforts. You can even take home a photo of yourself holding an alligator (with jaw taped firmly shut of course). At the Alligator Bayou Swamp Tour, in Prairieville, wooden walkways allow you to get so close to the creatures, you can practically feel the gators’ breath. You can also visit the Bayou Pierre Alligator Park, just outside of Natchitoches, where your alligator sightings can be followed by a sampling of gator-themed cuisine. The elusive albino alligator, first discovered in Louisiana, can be viewed at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Their haunting and beautifully pale skin makes them extremely vulnerable to predators and very few remain today.
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