Alligator Facts (2024)

FAQs

What smell do alligators hate? ›

One of the stranger suggestions for keeping alligators at bay is to make your own alligator repellant, with one website suggesting a recipe made from ammonia and human urine.

Alligators live about as long as humans and average 70 years, but can be 100 years old, if they can survive a difficult life which starts with biting and fighting that never ends.

Alligators have a natural fear of humans, and usually begin a quick retreat when approached by people. If you have a close encounter with an alligator a few yards away, back away slowly. It is extremely rare for wild alligators to chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances on land.

Alligators have between 74 and 80 teeth in their mouth at a time. As they wear down, they are replaced.

Juveniles: Small alligators are eaten by a variety of predators including raccoons, otters, wading birds, and fish; however, larger alligators may be their most significant predator. Adults: Cannibalism, intraspecific fighting, and hunting by humans are probably the most significant mortality factors.

Fish, mollusks, birds, and small mammals are all prey for alligators, which are primarily carnivorous. Fruits are sometimes deliberately consumed by them.

Ammonia and human urine mixed together in a spray bottle has been used by some homeowners in the past, and this is apparently said to work as some sort of alligator deterrent. It doesn't seem to work all the time, sadly, and certainly shouldn't be relied upon as a safe method of removal.

As the image explains, using the red line graph to represent the length to age comparison, an alligator grows very quickly from birth through age 5, growing an incredible one foot per year. Growth then slows slightly until age 10, when the alligator reaches approximately 8 feet in length.

Both Crocodiles and Alligators can climb trees and they've both been spotted perched on tree branches as high up as 30 feet. And they're so good at climbing that NASA had to start installing special Alligator proof chain link fences.

Alligators can grow big and tough, but they begin life in tiny eggs. American alligators lay eggs in the early summer. A female alligator builds a nest and lays 20 to 50 eggs. At first, the eggs are hard like chicken eggs.

How old is a 12 ft gator? ›

10 ft. 27-29 yrs. 12 ft. 36+ yrs.

Alligators go where they want, which includes yards, golf courses and anywhere else food might be available. Alligators typically don't think of people as food.

Alligators primarily hunt at dusk or during the night. They lie motionless in wait for prey. Their prey selection seems to be determined primarily by size.

Alligators live along the edges of swamps, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. There are two species, or types, of alligator. The American alligator lives in the southeastern United States. The Chinese alligator lives in the Yangtze River region in China.

8 ft. 17-20 yrs. 10 ft. 27-29 yrs.

The alligator's running speed is a little slower than the average human, but they're known to sprint as fast as 35 mph. Imagine seeing this large, dinosaurian creature running towards you at that speed. It's enough to give you a nightmare. The good news is you can outrun an alligator.