american alligator

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis: Alligatoridae) The youngster has taken refuge on top of its mother’s tail near its hind legs to sun in safety. The youngster is ca. (30 cm) 1 ft long and the large mother is ca. 2.4 m (8 ft) long.

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis: Alligatoridae) The youngster has taken refuge on top of its mother’s tail near its hind legs to sun in safety. The youngster is ca. (30 cm) 1 ft long and the large mother is ca. 2.4 m (8 ft) long.

Though quite small, they have such a ferocious look about them.

I found it strange that the one below would allow this.

Thanks to Ospreydude we have enough info to say that these are males in a territorial fight. I have a bunch of images and some do show broken skin. I've heard of rough sex but this would be going a bit far.

My guide knew of this particular gator, though he'd clearly grown since she'd last been there. There was an abandoned box of fishing tackle on the pier. Had the fisherman given up and left after the gator ate every fish he caught? Or ... had the gator eaten the fisherman :eek!: There was a big...

The gator was clearly watching for human activity on the fishing pier and had his eyes on us the whole time we were there.

from Jaws :eek!: On our way back from Big Branch Marsh, the first stop was a flood drainage channel with a picnic area and a fishing pier. As soon as we stepped out on the pier to scan the reeds for birds, this big gator came out from hiding in the reeds and started swimming towards us :eek!:

That's some set of choppers!

Lots of these in south Florida.

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis: Alligatoridae) Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers County, Texas, USA. Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Vegetational Area. Shoveler Pond.

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis: Alligatoridae) This alligator was eating a Nutria (Coypu). Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers County, Texas, USA. Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Vegetational Area. Shoveler Pond.

A moment later it quietly sank out of sight

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis: Alligatoridae) This youngster was only ca. 1 m (3.3 ft) long. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, West Monroe, Quachita Parish, Louisiana, USA. Swamp margin surrounded by bottomland hardwood forest at ca. 22 m (72 ft) elevation.

Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to Green Cay without a gator!

A small American Alligator spotted off the boardwalk at Winding Waters Natural Area, West Palm Beach, Florida.

Every year there seems to be more gators in SW Florida.

American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis: Alligatoridae) As large as they get, they can actually be hard to see. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Chambers County, Texas, USA. Canals draining Shoveler Pond. Gulf prairies and marshes at ca. 2 m (6.6 ft) elevation.

This is one of the larger ones I came across along the Marsh Trail, south of Naples, Florida. At times these gators, especially those at Corkscrew, east of Naples, sun themselves on the trail, making it difficult to pass.

I guess we humans can get use to just about anything.

The very large gator was just climbing on to this small island at Lakes Regional Park. On another day it may be resting just off a paved path that runs around the lake. A path used by joggers, bikers and baby carriages. I guess they know what they're doing.

The mama of this little gator usual sits spitting distance from the parking lot at the Corkscrew CREW.

From a small reptile to one of the largest

With few alligators in this marsh and no fishing allowed this gator has the life, as you can see. This is one large gator.

The alligator looks like its been injured. Probably a misunderstanding over territory.