Every Gator fan knows that alligators are living fossils. They walked and survived until the modern age. They are adaptable, having coped with ice ages and other threats for millions of years. Cool right?
As large reptiles, alligators are cold-blooded and carnivorous. They are often seen as modern-day dinosaurs. After all, early alligator ancestors first appeared over 200 million years ago. These alligator fun facts may be some of the things that make them a scary animal for most people.
Yes, they have glow-in-the-dark eyes and loud roars. But despite their fierce exterior, alligators are timid creatures. This article will give a short overview of what sounds an alligator makes and what they mean.
What Sound Does an Alligator Make?
Everyone knows that alligators have sharp teeth and powerful jaws. But did you know that these reptiles are also quite vocal? Yes, they do and they do not make these sounds for nothing. Their vocalizations are an important part of their communication.
For alligators, a bellow is a call for a mate and a hiss is a warning. A baby alligator chirps to call for another baby gator or the mother. Alligators also let out grunts and growls. They can even produce infrasound, which is below the range of human hearing.
Fun Gator Facts: The Meaning of the Sound They Make
As stated above, alligators make a variety of sounds. They often use these sounds for different purposes. The following are the various sounds an alligator makes to communicate:
- Hissing: Gators hiss when they feel threatened or disturbed. When a threat is too close or if it’s about to attack, they hiss. Alligators also hiss when a person or animal is close to their offspring. They produce this sound by expelling air through their nostrils. These reptiles also move their heads to signal that they’re about to attack. When that happens, they lunge forward and snap their jaws.
Keep in mind that a hiss is a clear declaration of discomfort. Ignoring such a sound will lead to aggressive behavior. If you hear a gator hiss, it is wise to heed this warning. Make sure to give the creature space and respect its demands.
- Bellowing: These modern dinosaurs bellow during mating season. They do this to attract potential mates. Male alligators produce this sound. Any creature can hear their bellows from a long distance. Another thing they do during mating season is popping their jaws. Some alligators will even slap their tails.
When alligators bellow, they suck in a lot of air. Then, they push this air with a lot of force. Fun fact, a loud and resonant bellow can point out the size and fitness of a gator. This, in turn, can make an alligator more attractive to potential mates. This can also make them intimidating to their rivals. Take note, their bellow sounds like a growl. But the thing is, an alligator’s bellow and growl have different meanings.
- Growling: This might be one of the sounds you often hear from alligators. It is a low, rumbling sound akin to the purring of a large cat. But an alligator’s growl has a more grumbling undertone. These creatures growl when they feel agitated or annoyed. They create this sound by vibrating their vocal cords.
A gator growls when there’s the presence of another alligator or human too close to its territory. It also growls while competing for food. Growling serves as a clear message for the cause of the discomfort to back away. You could say that an alligator’s growl is an initial warning. It hints that a more aggressive response will follow if the annoyance persists. This will result in hissing and even biting.
- Chirping: This sound is often made by baby alligators. A baby gator’s chirp is a high-pitched call. It might sound like the chirp of a bird or a peep of a tree frog.
Baby alligators start chirping before they hatch from their eggs. They make this sound to signal their mother that they’re ready to be born. After they hatch, these baby gators will continue to chirp to alert their mother. This often happens when they feel distressed or in danger.
Chirping usually serves as a distress call. It is also a means to maintain contact with the mother gator. A baby gator chirps to signal its mother that it needs attention. Especially when it is still navigating during its early days in the wild.
Observe Alligators in Person
Hear the sound of alligators in person with Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures. Our company offers the best alligator tours in Florida. You will get the exciting chance to get up close and personal with a Florida alligator. After all, gators are best seen when in their natural habitat. You may also get a free photo op with a live alligator. Give us a ring at 352-643-0708 and reserve your spot for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. For online reservations, you may go here.
