Life is a journey that every living thing goes on. It doesn’t matter if you’re a human or an alligator. Every creature goes through various stages of life. Each one impacts the other. It’s how they grow and learn.
Each living thing starts from infancy. They then progress through different phases to reach adulthood. Some seem to grow in a blink of an eye. Others take decades to mature. Many people often wonder how long it takes large animals to reach adulthood.
Let’s take the American gator for example. It’s one of the world’s largest reptiles. It can grow anywhere from 13 feet. The largest alligator ever recorded had a length of 19 feet, three inches. This particular specimen was reportedly found in Louisiana.
How fast does an alligator grow to adulthood? This article will shed light on that.
Understanding the Life Stages of Alligators
Alligators have been around for 200 million years. That’s the approximate time that this reptile’s ancestors started walking the Earth. Centuries might have passed but gators continue to go through the same life cycle.
· Starting Life in a Shell
The fierce alligator starts its life sheltered by its mother. It will develop inside an egg deposited in a nest of mud, fronds, and sticks. It’s also surrounded by 20 to 50 other eggs. The temperature of the nest will determine if the egg has a female or male gator inside.
· Enjoying the Juvie Stage
Alligator eggs often hatch in June or July. The hatchlings will only be a few inches long at the start. The mother gator will bring them to the water as soon as they hatch. She will even carry her precious babies on her back as she floats around. She will stay with her offspring for one year. During this time, she will protect them and teach them how to survive.
· Growing Strong
Juvenile gators stay with their mother for at least one year. But all young alligators stay in their pod for about three years. A pod is what you call a group of juvenile gators. It will also include a mother alligator. One pod can include other young gators from other nests. Young alligators will stay in their pods until they reach a length of four feet. They will leave the pod once they reach that size. They can already protect themselves by that time.
Growth Rates of Gators
How big do alligators get? It’s something many people wonder about. The male of the species reaches an average of 13 feet. Meanwhile, females can reach 10 feet at most. But gators are not that impressive when they start off.
For a massive animal, gators start off as puny reptiles. They are only eight to nine inches long when they first hatch from their eggs. They will then grow anywhere from two to twelve inches a year.
How fast this animal grows depends on several factors. The alligator’s habitat has a big impact on its development. A hatchling born in a place that’s secure and has an ample food supply will grow faster. It will also be healthier and live longer. It’s one of the reasons gators in captivity outlive their wilder counterparts.
The sex and age of the alligator also affect its growth rate. Male gators grow faster than females. They’re also larger.
Here’s something interesting about alligators. They never stop growing. But their growth rates slow down the older they get.
A Final Note
There’s so much to know about alligators. Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures will show you what you’re missing. We’re recognized as the premier airboat company in Orlando. Our hour-long boat tours are fun and educational. lWe cater to people of all ages. You can bring your whole family or go on your own. We’ll give you a memorable experience exploring the swamps and marshes of Florida. Give us a call at (352) 643-0708. You can also book a tour here. You can also ask for more information at ronandpam@swampfeveriarboatadventures.com.
