While it is not common to encounter alligators directly within the urban core of Birmingham, Alabama, these reptiles can be found in freshwater environments within the broader region. They inhabit rivers, lakes, and swamps reasonably close to the city.
Alligator Presence in Central Alabama
Alligators are found throughout Alabama, with denser populations in the southern half of the state, particularly in coastal marshes, swamps, and larger water bodies. Alabama is home to an estimated 70,000 alligators. While sightings are rare within Birmingham’s immediate city limits, isolated instances can occur in nearby aquatic habitats.
The Black Warrior River, for example, has seen an increase in alligator observations, with residents in areas like Moundville noting their presence. Lake Logan Martin also provides suitable habitat, where sightings are not unusual. Alligators were introduced to parts of north Alabama, such as the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, in 1979, expanding their range beyond traditional southern strongholds.
Understanding Alligator Behavior and Habitat
American alligators are ectothermic. They thrive in warm, humid climates and are most active when temperatures range between 82 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit (28 to 33 degrees Celsius). Alligators prefer freshwater habitats, including slow-moving rivers, swamps, marshes, lakes, and reservoirs, but they inhabit manmade canals, farm ponds, and urban wetlands as well.
When temperatures drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), alligators reduce feeding activity, becoming dormant below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius). During colder months, they enter brumation, often retreating to burrows or deeper, more stable water. In extreme cold, they can survive by “icing,” keeping snouts above freezing water to breathe while submerged.
Alligators are opportunistic predators whose diet changes as they grow. Younger alligators primarily consume insects, amphibians, and small fish, while adults feed on larger prey including fish, snakes, turtles, birds, and mammals. Females typically build mound nests from vegetation and mud in sheltered areas near water in early summer, laying clutches of 30 to 50 eggs. The mother alligator remains near the nest and protects her eggs and hatchlings.
Safety and Coexistence
Interacting with alligators requires caution, as these wild animals are unpredictable if provoked or habituated to human presence. Maintain a safe distance, typically at least 100 feet, from any alligator you encounter. Never attempt to feed alligators, as this causes them to lose their natural fear of humans and can lead to dangerous encounters, often requiring their removal.
When near bodies of water, always keep pets on a leash, as their size and movements can attract an alligator’s attention. Avoid swimming in unapproved areas, especially during dusk and dawn, when alligators are most active. If you encounter an alligator, leave it undisturbed and do not approach it. Should you observe an alligator in an unusual or concerning location, contact the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, who manage such situations.