Alligators- cont'd

Evolutionarily, alligators have perfected the art of deception. They lie perfectly still until a bird, turtle or small mammal walks by, mistaking them for a rock or fallen tree. This also worked on a very good friend of mine who tried to touch a Caiman's teeth. ( A caiman is in the crocodilian family along with alligators and crocodile.) After it snapped at his finger causing a pretty fair loss of blood, but no major lasting damage, my friend said, " but he looked so still and calm". Alligators prefer this lie in wait approach to caching food because it wastes less of the precious little energy they have. Alligators can be dangerous when they are taught to associate humans with food. We become "human vending machines" when we knowingly (throwing marshmallows at the cute baby gator in the local pond) or unknowingly (emptying the crab pot of leftover chicken) feed them. The cute baby alligator grows into a 10 foot male who still expects food and grows impatient with the small human fishing on the dock. We only have to be smarter than the animal with a brain the size of a walnut. I can't imagine it should be that difficult. We don't nee to say to our friends "hold my beer watch this" and get to close to an alligator to prove we are tough (this goes for you folks trying to handle venomous snakes as well). The alligator will be forced to defend itself if it can't get way. We don't need to get to close to the baby alligators, their moms are the only known reptiles that protect and care for their young for as many as 2 years. We don't need to feed the alligators, they to just fine on their won. We also don't need to make small prey-like noises on the edge of the pond or river. Gators often grab first and ask questions later when it comes to a meal. It is instinct guided my the small sensory bumps on the sides of their jaws. It has no way of knowing you are not a large yummy raccoon until after it tastes you and spits you out. This is usually little consolation to the one being spat. Alligators can only eat 5 months out of the year, otherwise it is too cold. They are cold-blooded, unable to thermoregulate, meaning they have no way of creating their own body heat. Pick up a toad or a lizard one cold morning and see how much energy it has. They rely on the sun for energy hence the reason they are often seen basking in the sun. If their body temperature is not above 65 degrees, they can't digest their food. This is the reason why Alligators are rarely seen above Columbia SC. It is just too cold for them to survive the winter and shorter feeding seasons.

The largest recorded alligator was 19ft long found in 1890 before they were almost hunted to extinction. They were labeled endangered and have been protected since 1967. In 1987, the Fish and Wildlife Service pronounced the American alligator fully recovered and consequently removed the animal from the list of endangered species. This had not been enough time to grow to the sizes they once attained and alligators today rarely get above 14 ft and the females usually top out at 9-10ft. These animals haven't changed since they roamed the earth with the dinosaurs. Whatever they have been doing has been working for them. They could long out-survive us if we quit trying to eradicate them and destroy their homes. They help control what would otherwise be out of control populations of mammals and they help preserve out wetlands during times of drought. They do this by creating 'gator holes' along the edges of the banks. Often times these water holes are teaming with young fish and microorganisms that are preserved when the pond and small rivers run dry. When it finally rains again these creatures rebuild the ecosystems and restock our ponds. Because of the protection they are still bestowed, alligators are more plentiful than I have seen in all my 30 years. This doesn't mean just anyone should be allowed to shoot them. Imagine the cruelty they would endure from poor aim. You can apply for a permit to hunt alligators and there is even talk of opening up a 'gator season'.The permit would be accompanied by specialized training, which is certainly needed. The DNR and US Fish and Wildlife are trying hard to balance management versus witch hunt. I applaud them. They recognize the importance of proper and well thought out wildlife management so that we do not single- handedly and inhumanely wipe out our last remaining dinosaur.

We have 3 alligators on display all year round and quite a few wild alligators out in the swamp. Many sunny days in the summer reveal basking alligators on logs as you paddle through the swamp. Please keep in mind they are wild. They are real, no we do not go out everyday and lay out stuffed alligators on the logs. Their is a $500 fine for harassing or feeding alligators, but our visitors are so respectful of wildlife that we rarely have to remind them of this. Hint Hint! We do not boss our wildlife around or try to control it so you may see alligators on the trail occasionally, Please just go the other way and let him enjoy his day too. You may also see an occasional otter, snake, or spider. It is their home first and foremost. We are trying to save a place for them as the homeowners and builders continue to push them out. If you find yourself not wanting to see nature please do not walk on our nature trails! If you love nature and appreciate the beauty of a perfectly spun spiderweb, please come visit us!

Until then,
Life's a Swamp