Currently, nearly 2,900 licensed alligator hunters participate in the annual harvest. Staff also inspect and track the size and number of hides from alligator harvests, maintaining a database of who hunted or farmed each alligator and where each hide was shipped. Staff keep tabs on information such as the number of tags used, where the tags were used, the length of tagged alligators, and if alligators had been released from farms in prior years. They also collect data on habitat conditions. The American alligator is the largest reptile in North America and Louisiana has the highest alligator population in the United States. For 10 years, they surveyed the population. Once they’re adults, the only real threat to an alligator is another alligator or humans. Texas' alligator population, which numbered just a few thousand when they were protected by state and federal laws in … In a lawsuit filed Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, Louisiana said the economy surrounding alligators has played a key role in bringing back the American alligator population and is an important factor in protection wetlands and other species besides alligators that depend on the wetlands. And after that decade, LDWF felt confident that alligators in Louisiana were doing just fine. Official State Reptile of Louisiana. In the early 1960s, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries noticed a massive drop in the alligator population. Biologists conduct aerial nest surveys, surveying 135,000 acres of coastal wetland habitat. Through LDWF’s extensive research and wise management that includes sustainable wild harvest and alligator farming, Louisiana’s wild alligator population has increased from less than 100,000 to more than 2 million in the past 50 years. A giant male or "bull" alligator begins bellowing in the spring to attract females and warn other suitors to stay away. Louisiana has the highest population of alligators in the United States, and it is least surprising that the largest alligator ever recorded was also found in this state. Additionally, several extinct species of alligator are known from fossil remains. Consumptive (meats and hides) and non-consumptive (wildlife watching) use of the alligator resource in Louisiana brings hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue to the state each year. The State of Louisiana has increased its wild alligator population from less than 100,000 to over 1.5 million in the past 30 years. Poachers, eager to make a buck, were killing alligators and selling the much-coveted skins to the … As the vegetation decays, it creates heat to incubate the eggs—the temperature of the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings with warmer temperatures favoring males. It is estimated that Louisiana’s wild alligator population is around 2 million while our alligator farms have about 300,000 reptiles. Southern Florida is the only place where both alligators and crocodiles live side by side. This allows biologists to later identify them and conduct follow-up research on their growth, survival, and dispersal rates. As spring arrives, alligators emerge to mate and nest. Louisiana has the highest population of alligators in the United States, and it is least surprising that the largest alligator ever recorded was also found in this state. Louisiana didn't always have such an abundant alligator population. In this Oct. 1, 2018 photo, an alligator floats in the Caernarvon Canal in Caernarvon, La. They then transfer those hatchlings to secure facilities and raise them until they reach approximately 3 to 5 feet in length. Growth rates slow as alligators get older. To ensure wild alligators were not depleted as a result of egg collections, and to ensure future recruitment of sub-adult alligators to the breeding population, the Department currently requires Since egg farming was allowed in 1986, the population - and alligator sales - … Licensed alligator farmers are allowed to collect alligator eggs on private lands and incubate and hatch those eggs under ideal growing conditions including adequate food supply and proper air and water temperatures. Poachers, eager to make a buck, were killing alligators and selling the much-coveted skins to the fashion industry. Initially all harvest of alligators was stopped, allowing the wild population to stabilize. Primarily due to predators, less than 15% of wild alligators ever reach this size, but those that do have an excellent chance to survive to adult size. All State Reptiles. If an egg doesn't hatch properly, the female may gently break the egg in her massive jaws to help the hatchling get out and may even carry some hatchlings to the water in her mouth. Alligators are plentiful on Tensas River NWR and can easily be seen in almost any body of water on the refuge in the warmer months. Rare, blue-eyed, "leucistic" white alligators can be found in the wild and can be seen on exhibit at Audubon Zoo and the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Alligators mate in April and May, beginning a life cycle that evolved from prehistoric times. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) then began an extensive study of the state’s alligators. And so, after a large harvest of alligators, it could be difficult for their population to recover. The farms raise the baby alligators for about four years, when they’re big enough to survive on their own, and then let them back into the wild. Once threatened by unregulated hunting, alligator populations are now fully recovered thanks to extensive research, careful management, and responsible stewardship of this valuable resource and its habitat. LDWF manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. Because alligators are cold-blooded, in cooler portions of their range their metabolism may slow down during the cool winter months to the point that they can no longer catch or digest food efficiently. They also monitor how many were returned to the wild, traveling to each farm and measuring, marking, and identifying the sex of every alligator before release. All State Reptiles. It is one of two extant species in the genus Alligator within the family Alligatoridae; it is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator. The two extant species are the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. The U.S. Alligators will hunt anytime but particularly at night as they are well adapted with a good sense of smell and vision in the darkness. There are now alligator hunting seasons in many states, and populations are managed for sustainability. The name "alligator" is probably an anglicized form of el lagarto, the Spanish term for "the lizard", which early Spanish explorers and settlers in Florida called the alligator. In the early 1960s, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries noticed a massive drop in the alligator population. may seem too good to be true, but then, some truths are quite incredible in themselves. In the meantime, during the 1960s and 1970s, research focusing on basic life history of the species such as habitat and nesting requirements was conducted and formed the basis of LDWF’s wild alligator management program. Managers review average nest densities, habitat assessments, and past harvest statistics and tag allotments and use this information to set the upcoming season’s allowable take (quota) and allot a certain number of harvest tags to each management area (to control the number of alligators that may be harvested from each area). Alligator farms, as well as wild-caught alligators, supply these industries. LDWF monitors the release and use of tags to ensure the harvest in any one area does not exceed the quota. Currently over 2,000 licensed alligator hunters harvest 30,000 to 35,000 wild alligators annually in Louisiana. They make a cavity in the nest and lay up to 60 eggs (the average clutch is about 35 eggs). They will eat almost anything, including each other; they bite and fight to eat, court, defend, or protect their territory. The tags are designed to ensure that once properly applied any tampering with them will be apparent. Alligator hunting has a very long history in Louisiana—people have been harvesting alligators commercially for their valuable leather since the 1800s. The alligator became totally protected five years before being listed as an endangered species. These tags are property specific and must be used on the property indicated on the hunter’s license as each property has a tag allotment based on the quality and quantity of the habitat on the property and its ability to sustain alligator harvest. The American alligator is one of the largest reptiles in North America. Only Louisiana and Florida hold more wild alligators than Texas. Mature males and non-breeding females tend to stay in deep water habitats. They graduate to a diet of crawfish, small fish, and frogs over time. The name alligator comes from early Spanish explorers who called them "el legarto" or "big lizard" when they first saw these giant reptiles. Primarily a coastal crocodilian, the American crocodile exists at the northern end of its range in south Florida. Alligator skin is tanned for exotic leather products and the meat is sold for consumption. Troy and Terral are out to catch some alligator and get the exploding population under control in this clip from Season 10, "Clear and Present Danger". By 1979, the species had a population of 300,000 in Louisiana and was taken off the endangered list in 1981. Other parishes were gradually added until the season became statewide in 1981. In fact, even though they possess the strongest bite of any living animal, alligators will typically avoid contact with us. Even the highest modern wild harvest is only a tiny percentage of the … Only some hatchlings will survive and grow to become breeders at approximately 6 feet. Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Agricultural Experiment Station Reports LSU AgCenter 1976 Simulation of a commercially harvested alligator Alligator Season Dates in Louisiana East Zone - Opens last Wednesday in August (season lasts 60 calendar days) Rate this year's Louisiana Duck Season - [quote]I always suspected the huge rise in the alligator population was the cause but perhaps not[/quote] I have a As research showed alligators could be grown successfully under artificial conditions on farms, LDWF began an alligator ranching program in 1986 to supplement the growing wild population. Alligator farmers may sell the remaining alligators (those not released into the wild). Reptiles are cold-blooded animals—their body temperature is regulated by the temperature of the environment around them. Females rarely exceed 9 feet in length and large females can weigh more than 200 pounds. In fact, the young may stay near the nest site for a couple of years. Louisiana’s alligator ranching program increased dramatically between 1986 and 1990. The hatchling develops an "egg tooth" on top of its snout to slit open the egg. Females remain near the nest as the eggs incubate. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populations—there are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Louisiana has implemented a successful alligator management program that includes controlled wild harvest and egg collection for commercial alligator production. Alligators can be found throughout the southeast from Texas to North Carolina, but Louisiana has the highest population of any state. Alligators are about 8 to 9 inches in length when they hatch from eggs. Louisiana’s alligator ranching program increased dramatically between 1986 and 1990. To ensure a stable, growing wild population, alligator farmers are required to return approximately 10% (depending on size) of their 3 to 5-foot alligators to the wild. The winners are sometimes badly scarred—it is not uncommon to see alligators with missing legs, bobtails, or blinded eyes. 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A giant alligator is like an armored battleship, protected by a shield of horny plates on his back and fierce teeth in the bow and propelled by a powerful tail. Population control has become an essential management tool for the promotion of a healthy Louisiana Alligator population and resource where man meets nature. In 1972, the alligator season was opened only in Cameron Parish and lasted 13 days. And after that decade, LDWF felt confident that alligators in Louisiana were doing just fine. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, which means that their body temperature is regulated by the temperature of the environment around them. Alabama adopted protective legislation for its American alligator population in 1941, followed by Florida (1961), Louisiana (1962), and Texas (1970). Although seven states (Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina) have some alligator population, Louisiana has the largest population of alligators in the country. Their growth rates depend on several factors including their habitat, sex, size, and age. Alligators are shrewd survivors. For example, research has shown that farmed alligators returned to the wild eat larger prey earlier than wild alligators and continue to grow faster than wild alligators. For two months, male alligators fight to see who gets to court the female or "sow" alligators. Alligator Management LDWF manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. Males rarely exceed 13 feet in length and large males can weigh well over 500 pounds. Wild Alligator Harvest Historical Timeline. An average of 33,500 wild alligators a year were taken from 2010 to 2016. LDWF’s alligator management program is recognized internationally as a wildlife conservation success story and a model for sustainable use; the principles of this program have been applied to managing crocodilian species worldwide. Louisiana didn't always have such an abundant alligator population. LDWF also ensures compliance with international alligator trade requirements and manages Louisiana’s nuisance alligators. Louisiana’s wild alligator season usually begins in late August/early September and continues for 60 days. The breeding se… An alligator measuring 19 ft. 2 in. Staff inspect alligator farms to ensure compliance with requirements for sanitary conditions, temperature control, feeding, and spacing availability prior to approving facilities for licensing. Georgia has an official alligator hunting season to help manage the state’s flourishing gator population. By 1979, the species had a population of 300,000 in Louisiana and was taken off the endangered list in 1981. The young alligators remain in the water for the next six months under the watchful and protective eye of the female, who will defend their young from predators or intruders. Other parishes were gradually added until the season became statewide in 1981. They learn the sound of boats or intruders and retreat swiftly underwater. Researchers realized that to restore the alligator population, its wetland habitat must be saved. In 1972, the alligator season was opened only in Cameron Parish and lasted 13 days. Male alligators grow faster and larger than females. Alligators in the wild can live up to 70 years; some in captivity may live even longer. Two teams from the department's Pineville office combed the Cane in boats, one starting from the north end and the other from the south end of the river. Alligator hunters must have these tags to harvest alligators and attach them to alligators immediately upon harvest. By 1979, the species had a population of 300,000 in Louisiana and was taken off the endangered list in 1981. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) then began an extensive study of the state’s alligators. These nests are several feet high and up to 10 feet across. In June or July, after they mate, females select nesting sites, usually near isolated ponds in interior marsh habitats, and build nests by pulling marsh vegetation into a mound. Louisiana has the largest alligator population. Louisiana has the highest population of alligators in the U.S., with numbers approaching 2 million—close to half as many people as there are in the state. The largest populations occurred in the broad marl prairies to the east and west of the southern ridge and slough and to the mangrove estuaries inhabited by crocodiles. Once harvested and tagged, alligators are transported to licensed facilities which process alligators for their meat, hides, and other commercially valuable parts. Nesting females, hatchlings, and small juveniles are commonly found in shallow marsh habitats with thick emergent vegetation. In 1974, Louisiana estimated the alligator’s total population at 734,384 and increasing over most of its range. Because alligators are cold-blooded, during the winter months, their metabolic rates slow, they feed less frequently, and they enter underground holes/dens and remain dormant. LDWF managers use data gathered from these alligators to adjust regulations when necessary. An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. The goals of LDWF’s alligator management program are to manage and conserve Louisiana’s alligators as part of the state’s wetland ecosystem and provide benefits to the species, its habitat, and the other species of fish and wildlife associated with alligators. As a result, they may enter underground holes and remain dormant until warmer conditions return. Louisiana has the highest population of alligators in the U.S., with numbers approaching 2 million—close to half as many people as there are in the state. (Note that they still mostly shy away from humans unless they are fed or harassed.). The alligator became totally protected five years before being listed as an endangered species. Alligators first appeared during the Oligocene epoch about 37 million years ago. As they grow, their diet changes to include larger animals such as crabs, larger fish, frogs, and small birds. Staff monitor egg collection and ranching, determining the amount of eggs available for collection on a specific property, how many eggs were collected, and how many were hatched. Two major hurricanes in 2005 followed by a drought in 2006 devastated the Louisiana alligator population, but the latest alligator research in coastal Louisiana shows that the number of alligators is on the rise. The season for this year began at sunset on … A small population is also found in Tamaulipas, in Mexico. Harvest was generally unregulated throughout the 1900s, until a gradual population decline resulted in severely reduced harvests in the early 1950s. LDWF closely monitors alligator farm operations. The word "alligator" comes from the Spanish "el lagarto" (the lizard). There are also nearly 1 million alligators on farms in Louisiana. During the history of the program, the annual harvest has averaged around 24,000 alligators with a high of 36,301 alligators harvested in 2014.