The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is native to Georgia’s diverse ecosystems. With an estimated population of 200,000 to 250,000, these reptiles are common in Georgia’s wetlands. They contribute to the state’s ecological balance.
Alligator Habitats in Georgia
Alligators in Georgia primarily inhabit areas along and south of the geological fall line, connecting Columbus, Macon, and Augusta. This region provides the warm climate and abundant water sources alligators require. While occasional sightings occur north of this line, these are typically due to human relocation.
They occupy various wetland environments, including freshwater marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes. They are also found in farm ponds, ditches, drainage canals, and even golf course ponds. Alligators can tolerate low levels of salinity for brief periods and may venture into brackish waters, particularly in coastal areas.
Alligators adapt their habitat use; males prefer open, deep waters, while females seek shallow, heavily vegetated, secluded areas for nesting. During severe drought conditions, alligators may travel considerable distances to find suitable water. This adaptability allows them to thrive across the southern and coastal plain regions of Georgia.
Understanding Alligator Behavior and Safety
Alligators are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature fluctuates with surroundings. To regulate temperature, they bask in the sun on land or float in shallow waters. They are primarily nocturnal predators, hunting at night. Their varied diet ranges from small invertebrates like snails and insects for juveniles, to fish, turtles, snakes, waterfowl, and small mammals for larger adults.
Alligators generally fear humans and retreat when approached. However, during mating season (March to September), males can become more territorial. Females are protective of their nests and young, especially during June and July. While alligators can run up to 35 miles per hour for brief distances on land, they are more agile in water, swimming up to 20 miles per hour.
To ensure safety where alligators are present, maintain a respectful distance. Feeding alligators, intentionally or by disposing of food scraps in water, is illegal and causes them to lose their natural fear of humans, associating people with food. Keep pets on leashes and away from the water’s edge, as alligators may mistake them for prey. Supervise small children near water bodies. Avoid swimming in areas with dense aquatic vegetation or during dusk and dawn, when alligators are most active. Never harass, capture, or handle an alligator. Though rare, Georgia has recorded nine reported cases of alligator attacks on humans between 1980 and 2023.
Coexisting with Alligators
Coexisting with alligators involves understanding their ecosystem role and practicing responsible behavior. Alligators are a conservation success story, rebounding from near extinction in the mid-20th century due to protective measures, including their listing under the Endangered Species Act. While no longer fully protected, they remain listed as “threatened due to similarity of appearance” to other protected crocodilians, allowing states like Georgia flexibility in managing their populations.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages an alligator program addressing human-alligator conflicts. This program dispatches licensed trappers to remove alligators four feet or longer that exhibit aggressive behavior, are habituated to humans, or are found outside their typical range. These nuisance alligators are typically killed, not relocated, due to the challenges of successful relocation. By adhering to safety guidelines and respecting these animals, alligator incidents remain uncommon.