Habitat

The Galveston (United States) alligators are strictly fresh water reptiles. Everybody has seen these creatures on TV so there is no point in going into how they move around. In Galveston the alligator can be found in a number of locations; ponds, swamps (we have them!) and brackish water. Alligators, like most all animals, are very important to the local ecology unlike the muskrat which is causing severe wetlands’ damage in Louisiana because of heavy grazing.

Food

Alligators eat different food depending on their size and age. For instance, young alligators eat fish, crustaceans, worms, insects and such while older alligators eat larger fish like gar, all sorts of mammals, turtles and even human hands if you’re not careful!  They’ve even been known to eat deer and other reptiles. Sometimes alligators will ambush dogs and coyotes. Fortunately, alligators don’t see humans as prey, but may attack if provoked so give them a wide berth.

Locations

Alligators are found in most of the Southeastern USA; Florida, The Carolina’s, East Texas, parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.  There are as many as one million Alligators living in any individual state. Oddly enough, and a departure from the movies, there are actually crocodiles living side-by-side with alligators in southern Florida.

Large male alligators live alone and are highly territorial while smaller gators are often found in large groups living close together.

Food & Transportation

Alligator have two different forms of land locomotive: they wiggle around on their bellies or do the high walk which we see in the movies. On both land and in the water, they can be surprisingly fast with short lunges.  Once they catch a meal they will drag the body underwater where it will drown. They either eat the prey while fresh or allow it to rot.  They also do that death roll you see in the movies.

Overall, just as with any wild place, one must be constantly aware of the surroundings.