Louisiana is a common alligator location.
In fact, it is one of the most populous states in this regard.
Only Florida has more alligators and once visitors and residents are made aware of this fact, there is no shortage of follow-up questions.
Thanks to the following guide, you can learn everything that you need to know about the presence of alligators in Louisiana.
By arming yourself with as much information as possible, it is much easier to avoid the usual pitfalls that take place.
Contents
So… Are There Alligators in Louisiana?
The answer here is an emphatic yes.
As the second most populous state for alligators in the nation, there is no shortage of these reptiles to be found here.
Over one million alligators are believed to reside within Louisiana state limits.
Bayous and coastal marshes are some of their favorite locations, as it is easy to see why they enjoy Louisiana so much.
The state has 4.5 million acres of alligator habitat available to alligators residing in Louisiana.
Coastal marshes account for 3 million.
Cypress tupelo swamp makes up another 750,000 acres of their habitat.
The Atchafalaya Basin accounts for another 200,000, with lakes rounding out the list at 32,000.
The mature male alligator will spend much of its time in deeper water habitats and the non-breeding females typically follow suit.
Meanwhile, there are other alligators that prefer to spend their time in shallow marsh habitats that provide them with thick emergent vegetation.
They tend to stay in deep water habitats.
Nesting females, hatchlings, and smaller juveniles are among the alligators that are usually found in these locations.
Alligator Species In Louisiana
The American alligator is the sole species that is found in the state of Louisiana.
While their population was once threatened by a lack of hunting regulations, the laws have since been changed.
This has allowed the American alligator population to flourish once more.
Louisiana treats the American alligator with the importance that they deserve.
Thanks to this careful stewardship, the population is being managed with maximum stability in mind.
Louisiana has even implemented an alligator management program.
Controlled wild harvest and egg collection are included within this program, allowing for greater commercial production.
Alligator meat is also sold for consumption in Louisiana and their skin is utilized for exotic leather products.
These industries are supplied by alligators that have been caught in the wild and there are also numerous alligator farms in the state.
Is It Safe To Swim In Louisiana?
An alligator of four feet or longer is classified as a nuisance alligator and these are the ones that swimmers need to be on the lookout for.
The mere presence of an alligator is not anything to be afraid of, though.
In most instances, an alligator that is being left alone will end up moving on without incident.
If an alligator is seen in or around a body of water and they are not attempting to make contact with people, they are not considered to be a nuisance.
Alligators that are seen basking in the sun along the banks of a body of water are not looking to hurt anyone, they are merely warming their bodies.
The alligator may have its mouth open as well but this is not a warning sign.
This is how the animals cool their bodies in warmer temperatures because they do not produce sweat.
Once the alligator has left these areas to spend time by homes or livestock pens, they have crossed over into the nuisance category and the authorities should be alerted.
Alligators that come out of the water to approach humans are also considered nuisance alligators.
Alligator attacks tend to be rare, though, and their presence does not impede the majority of swimmers.
On the other hand, swimmers must also remain aware of potential issues that are related to poor water quality.
There are a number of beaches that are not considered safe at the moment and it behooves swimmers to remain fully aware.
The Gulf does not offer the same level of safety as it once did.
A swimmer who was taking a dip in the coastal Cameron Parish waters ended up contracting a form of flesh-eating bacteria.
The swimmer only stood in ankle-deep water for a very short period of time, which is one of the most disconcerting aspects of the story.
The Louisiana Department of Health is monitoring the situation and swimmers should be paying close attention to any and all updates that are offered.
Weekly water quality updates are currently provided.
Interesting Alligator Facts In Louisiana
When it comes to the alligators that reside in the state of Louisiana, there is a wide range of fun facts to pass along.
For starters, these alligators will typically have 80 teeth at a time but they go through them quicker than most would expect.
The average American alligator will go through as many as 80 teeth during the course of their lives.
These are the largest reptiles that are currently residing in North America and they can grow to an absolutely massive size.
The single largest alligator ever recorded clocked in at a whopping 19 feet and 2,000 pounds.
It is not every day that you hear of an alligator that weighs a literal ton.
The alligator has been roaming the earth for quite some time as well.
Did you know that they have existed on our planet for over 2,000 years now?
It’s hard to wrap one’s mind around. Sadly, these reptiles nearly went extinct.
They were placed on the endangered species back in 1973.
Thanks to the efforts that Louisiana took to put a stop to overzealous hunters, they were able to help stem the tide.
By 1987, the alligators were removed from the endangered species list.
The state’s alligator population has since risen to nearly two million.
Alligators vs. Crocodiles
While Louisiana is home to plenty of alligators, there are no crocodiles to speak of.
The crocodile is not going to be found within the United States, as its natural habitat lies overseas.
Many will assume that these reptiles are essentially the same but there are some key differences that need to be discussed.
The crocodile is much larger than the alligator.
They are also far more aggressive.
The crocodile will rely on its superior hunting to track down its prey, while the alligator tends to be far more opportunistic.
The alligator is more likely to wait for its prey to become wounded or subdued, whereas a crocodile overwhelms their prey with size and raw power.
3 Safety Tips for Swimming in Alligator Infested Waters
Louisiana alligators are not accustomed to pestering humans who are spending time on these waters but that does not mean that precautions should not be taken.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the easiest tips and pointers to follow when swimming in the alligator-infested waters of Louisiana.
1. Alligators Should Be Avoided At All Costs
It is important to remember that alligators are not looking to attack humans in the vast majority of instances.
If you happen to come across one during a swim, do not approach them for any reason.
Alligators typically leave humans to their own devices as long as they do not feel as if they are being threatened.
They have a natural fear of humans and if they are hissing at you?
That means that you have come too close and it is time to turn back.
Female alligators are especially important to avoid, as they are more likely to attack than males.
If they believe that their nest is in danger, they will move quite rapidly.
2. Supervise Small Children and Pets
Small children splashing on the shores and banks might seem like a harmless intrusion, but an alligator will think differently.
An alligator hears this sort of splashing and instantly springs into action.
To them, this is the sound of dinner.
This is why pets and children cannot be allowed to remain supervised around Louisiana’s bodies of water.
All it takes is a momentary lapse of attention to place children and pets in danger, through no fault of their own.
3. Do Not Feed The Alligators
Alligators are perfectly capable of finding their own sustenance and do not need humans to provide food for them.
In fact, this well-meaning act will typically cause far more harm than good.
The alligator is a naturally shy animal and all of that goes out of the window once they have been fed by a human.
Once the alligator has been enticed in this manner, attacks become far more likely.
Be sure to tell everyone in your group or vicinity about the dangers associated with feeding these reptiles.
It may seem like a perfectly harmless decision in the present but the future issues it will cause are better off avoided entirely.
Summary
There is no reason why a Louisiana resident or visitor can’t enjoy these waters, as long as they are taking the proper precautions.
While alligators are commonly discussed in these instances, there are other dangers that still have to be noted.
There are many bodies that are being monitored by the Louisiana Department of Health because they are rife with harmful bacteria.
Do not swim in any of these waters unless you have made sure that the weekly water quality tests are up to standard.
Louisiana Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Louisiana Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Alligators Be Removed From Their Natural Habitat?
Absolutely not.
Louisiana’s laws have even been put into place to stop these types of acts from even having a chance to happen.
In fact, Louisiana residents are not even allowed to accept alligators as pets.
There is no reason to even attempt such a thing, as they are impossible to tame and even the smallest alligators will dole out painful bites to those who try.
Babies may seem harmless but they can still hurt humans and that’s before their mothers get involved.
Can I Swim With an Alligator?
If you happen to come across an alligator during a swim, do not attempt to swim alongside it.
Alligator attacks are not commonplace in Louisiana but that does not mean that they never happen.
Bear in mind that these types of encounters are a distinct possibility any time that you swim.
What Happens If The Alligator Is No Longer Fearful?
Once an alligator has lost its fear of humans, it is time to contact the authorities.
Nuisance alligators are defined as any alligator that is larger in size and unwilling to move from an unexpected area.
Smaller alligators tend to be harmless, as they have merely been pushed out of their past habitat by larger reptiles.
These gators move on within a week or so.
If the alligator remains for a significant length of time or poses a real threat, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries should be contacted.
I like alligators!!!
Please update this document. Crocodiles are located in South Florida.
Thank you.