American alligators ( _Alligator mississippiensis_ ) are native to Alabama and can be found throughout the state. While these reptiles are present in various aquatic environments, understanding their distribution and behavior is important for both residents and visitors. Knowing where they prefer to live and how to interact safely with them helps ensure coexistence in Alabama’s diverse ecosystems.
Where Alligators Reside in Alabama
Alligators are found across Alabama, with higher concentrations in the wetland habitats of the southern and central regions. These areas provide ideal conditions like coastal marshes, swamps, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. They can also be found in man-made canals, storm drains, farm ponds, and neighborhoods near water sources.
Major river systems such as the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, the Alabama River, and the Tombigbee River are home to alligators. Other rivers like the Conecuh/Escambia, Perdido, Sepulga, and Yellow Rivers also support alligator populations, particularly in their swampy, southern reaches. These aquatic environments offer ample water, abundant food, and the warm climate necessary for alligator survival and reproduction. While historically more prevalent in the southern half, alligator sightings are increasing in northern parts of the state, including areas like the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge along the Tennessee River.
Ensuring Safety Around Alligators
Caution around alligators is important, and several guidelines can help minimize interactions. Never feed alligators, as it is dangerous and illegal. Feeding causes alligators to lose their natural wariness of humans and associate people with food, which can lead to aggressive behavior and may necessitate the alligator’s removal or euthanasia.
Maintain a safe distance from alligators, generally at least 100 feet. Keep pets on leashes and away from water edges, as their movements can attract an alligator’s interest. Limit swimming to designated areas, and avoid swimming during dusk and dawn when alligators are most active. If an alligator approaches, back away slowly.
Protecting and Managing Alligator Populations
American alligators are a protected species, reflecting a significant conservation success story in Alabama. Alabama played a role in their recovery, becoming the first state to protect alligators in 1938 after unregulated hunting threatened their populations. Although removed from the endangered species list by 1987, they remain federally protected due to their resemblance to the endangered American crocodile.
The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division actively monitors and manages alligator populations across the state. As populations have grown, regulated hunting seasons have been established as a management tool. These hunts require special permits and adherence to specific regulations from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). This oversight helps balance alligator populations with human presence and maintains the ecological health of Alabama’s wetlands.