There are a lot of urban legends about alligators. An alligator living in the sewers of New York is a popular story. People believe these reptiles were once pets that were then flushed down the toilet. Now they’re thriving in their own little world under the Big Apple.
A colony of gators living in the sewers hasn’t been actually proven to be true yet. Although one Florida man saw one alligator hissing at him from inside a storm drain. But that’s not the weirdest place people found gators. People have seen these creatures relaxing in a koi pond in Maryland or under an escalator in Chicago. A 400-pound gator was found in a Texas neighborhood recently.
All these sightings are enough to make you ask “where are alligators located?”
Where Do Alligators Live in the World?
Millions of people are quite fascinated by crocodiles and alligators. Their allure is so prevalent many people believe they can become found all over the world. But they’re not. You can only find alligators in two countries, and these are China and the United States.
The Chinese alligator is living on borrowed time. It’s an endangered species on the brink of extinction. Experts say there are only 150 Chinese gators in existence now. The Chinese alligators’ habitat is around the lower Yangtze River basin. This is on China’s central Pacific coast. It’s a subtropical area with a temperate environment.
China’s gators spend their days in the water. They prefer ponds and lakes. They also thrive in swamps and other wetlands. You can find their burrows on their banks and along rivers. These animals are often known for becoming docile from the late fall until early spring. They become more active when the temperatures are higher.
The American alligator escaped a similar fate. The species were also endangered decades ago. But they were then brought back from the brink. This is thanks to conservationists and the dedicated efforts of the government.
Where do alligators live in the US? You can now find the American gator in the wetlands of the southeastern United States. They’re up north in North Carolina and all the way down west to Texas. Their range goes as far as southern Florida, including the Everglades. They’re also found in the Carolinas and the Gulf Coast.
What State has the Most Gators?
The winning state when it comes to alligators is Louisiana. It’s quite surprising. Especially when you consider how Florida named the alligator as its state reptile. But when it comes to numbers, Florida is behind Louisiana.
Two million wild gators make their home in Louisiana. There are also a million more of these reptiles living on alligator farms. The state’s enormous swampland plays a part in this singular distinction. Its warm climate also makes it perfect for these cold-blooded creatures.
Florida is no slouch when it comes to gator numbers though. Experts estimate around 1.3 million alligators are thriving in the Sunshine State. Its many swamps, rivers, and lakes are prime American alligator habitats.
Texas comes in number three when it comes to alligators. The state continues to live up to its reputation of everything being big in Texas. They also have big numbers when it comes to gators. There are around 400,000 to 50,000 alligators inside its borders. 120 of its 254 counties are homes to this animal.
Georgia and South Carolina also have a huge population of gators. Georgia has around 200,000 to 250,000. Meanwhile, South Carolina has about 100,000. It’s interesting to note that Arkansas is experiencing an alligator boom. There’s a stable population of 2,000 to 3,000 gators in the state. But the numbers are rising reportedly due to the warming temperature.
On the Hunt for Awesome Wildlife
Florida’s wildlife is spectacular and consists of more than alligators. Join us at Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures and we’ll prove it to you. We operate one of the best airboat tours in the Sunshine State. Explore the Everglades on our fan boats. We offer one-hour tours that are exciting and educational. Give us a ring at 352-643-0708 and let’s talk. You can book a tour online.
