The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a prominent species in Mississippi’s wetlands and waterways. This large reptile plays a significant ecological role as a top predator, helping to maintain the balance of the state’s aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the current population numbers and the management efforts that led to their recovery provides a clear picture of the species’ status in the state today.
Current Population Estimates and Trends
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) estimates the state’s American alligator population to be between 32,000 and 38,000 individuals. This figure includes all age and size classes living across Mississippi’s available habitat. This number is an estimate derived from scientific sampling methods rather than an exact census.
Population trends indicate a period of sustained increase over the last several decades, followed by stabilization at a healthy level. Long-term spotlight surveys conducted by the MDWFP showed a consistent positive trend. This demonstrates that the population is fully recovered and maintained through state management.
Population Recovery and State Management
The American alligator was once near extirpation across much of its range, including Mississippi, due to unregulated hunting and habitat destruction throughout the mid-20th century. By 1967, the species was listed as endangered under a precursor to the Endangered Species Act. This federal protection halted commercial harvest and allowed the remaining populations to begin recovery.
Mississippi’s conservation efforts, alongside federal regulations, were instrumental in the species’ rebound. As populations grew, the federal status was changed in 1987 to “Threatened by Similarity of Appearance” (TS/A). This recognized that the alligator was recovered but still needed protection from illegal trade targeting other, still-endangered crocodilians.
Following this recovery, the Mississippi Legislature granted the state authority to manage the species. The state now manages the population through regulated hunting seasons, which began in 2005. This controlled harvest is a science-based management tool used to stabilize the population and mitigate human-alligator conflicts. Quotas are set annually based on monitoring data to ensure the long-term health of the population.
Survey Methods and Geographic Distribution
The MDWFP determines population estimates using systematic monitoring techniques, primarily night spotlight surveys along established routes. This method involves traveling water bodies after dark and counting the reddish-orange eyeshine reflected by the alligators’ tapetum lucidum when hit by a spotlight. Environmental factors like water temperature, wind, and rainfall are also recorded, as they can influence the visibility and behavior of the animals during the survey.
Alligators are found in at least 74 of Mississippi’s 82 counties, though distribution is not uniform. The highest concentrations are found in the southern half of the state, particularly in coastal counties and the expansive wetland systems bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Jackson County holds a high density, accounting for approximately 24% of the state’s total alligator habitat.
The Delta region in the western part of the state, with its numerous oxbow lakes and river systems, also supports a strong alligator presence. Inland water bodies, such as the Ross Barnett Reservoir and sections of the Pearl River in Rankin County, also exhibit high alligator densities.
The animals are less common in the northernmost counties. However, nuisance alligators are occasionally reported even in these areas.