Hunting and Farming Alligators
Prior to 1967, the number of alligators had seen a steady decline in the United States, attributed to increase number of those being hunted. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1967, listed the American Alligator has an endangered species, which prohibited further hunting. In 1987, the status of American Alligators changed their listing as threatened by Similarity of Appearance (TS/A) compared to crocodilians. Some states have enacted legislation, permitting during certain times of the year, hunters to kill alligators, because of the over population of the species and protect civilian populated areas. Estimated the state of Florida has one million alligators. Alligators help eliminate the rodent population and other animals, which have over populated marshland vegetation.
Alligators may seem harmless when resting but are extremely dangerous. Commonly, alligators have been found in canals or sunning themselves on the banks. Generally, these creatures do not attack unless provoked. During times of droughts or lack of rain, will bring alligators out of the wild and into populated residential areas, were ponds and canals maybe located. Trappers will be hired to remove those alligators, which threaten the lives of people, and pets. In the state of Florida Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program is administered by the Division of Hunting and Game Management, through contracts between the Commission and nuisance alligator trappers. Alligators may be considered a nuisance, when reaching four feet in length and pose a threat to people, their pets or property. Approximately 40 private trappers are contracted to remove specific nuisance alligators. During 2004, the Commission received 18.072 nuisance alligator complaints. Nuisance alligator trappers were issued 15,485 permits and tags, and remove 7,352 nuisance alligators. The greatest threat to alligators is the destruction of their habitat (Many wetlands have been taken over by developers or private ownership), increased levels of mercury and dioxins in the water. Alligator life is approximately fifty years. In 1987, alligator became the official state reptile of Florida.
The difference between a crocodile and an alligator is distinguishable, by crocodile having a narrower snout and having teeth in their lower jaw, which is visible even when the mouth is shut. Also, crocodiles are brownish or greenish in color and alligators are black. The American Alligator is known to have slightly round body, thick limbs, broad head and very powerful tail. The tail provides the aquatic propulsion, used as weapon for defense when threatened and accounts for half of the alligator’s length. The agility of an alligator on land can move up to speeds of 30 mile per hour and faster traveling in water.
Primarily an alligator will eat fish, birds, turtles, small mammals, snails, turtles or almost anything. The carnivorous diet of an adult alligator does not exclude eating smaller alligators. Younger alligators will consume insects, fish and snails. Large alligators will devour large prey, including razorbacks and deer by spinning on their long axis, and thus tearing off pieces of their prey. Large alligators have been known to hunt for Florida panthers and bears. Not common for alligators to attack a human for food, unless mistaking for prey.
In the state of Florida, illegal practice to feed alligators, because of the apparent danger an alligator may associate humans for food in the future. An alligator bite(s) may cause serious injury, including amputation of a limb, infection or death. Alligator’s tail is a very powerful weapon, capable of knocking a person down or causing serious injuries. A female alligator can be awesome threat anyone approaching their young. Pet owners of dogs and cats, should keep their pets indoors and away from alligators, since their pets could become easily a snack or appetizer for an alligator. If one encounters an alligator, don’t panic, remember stay far away from the tail, climbing onto something high above ground, because alligators cannot climb or run away but not directly in a straight line, since alligators have difficulty turning, trying to attack their prey on land.
Male alligator prefer occupying large areas at least two square miles and female prefer smaller areas. However, during courting and breeding season (Starts in April until early May), alligators will extend their territory. During this time of the year, alligators are especially dangerous. In May 2006, three women in the state of Florida, where killed by alligators (Prior to these deaths, since 1948 in Florida, eighteen fatal alligator attacks.), maybe attributed to interfering with in their breeding time of the year. Male and female alligators reach sexual maturity between ten to twelve years old and reach about six feet in length. Also, a male alligator will attract females by roaring and defend against or ward off other males. Eventually, the male circles a female alligator and then mounts during intercourse. This takes place during the night, in shallow waters. Afterwards, the female will build a nest consisting of vegetation. The circumference of the nest will be ten feet in diameter and approximately two to three feet high. Pregnant female alligators lay between
35 – 50 eggs, between June and early July. (Some females lay up to 90 eggs). Once all the eggs are laid on the nest, the female will cover those eggs with vegetation. The incubation period is sixty-five days. During the incubation period, the temperature of the nest determines sex of each alligator. When the nest temperature is between 90 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit will hatch males and temperature from 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit produces females. Also, female alligator will protect her nest from intruders, including any humans. Baby alligators hatched in August, and immediately helped by their mother removing nesting material. Newly born alligators measure six to eight inches long. The young hatchlings for several days will survive on the yolk masses within their bellies, and eventually find their way to water. Majority of baby alligators (80 percent) will be caught and devoured for food by predators including otters, snakes, bobcats, large bass, and larger alligators. After two or three years, young alligators will leave their secured area, and search for food for themselves or be forced to leave by larger alligators. During times of cold weather, an alligator will excavate a depression in the ground (called “gator hole”) and until the end of dormancy.
Around the world, alligators are raised in captivity for the production of meat and skin, creating a multi-million dollar industry. Alligators are raised on farms maintain a perfect environment habitat condition for breeding. In 2003, Louisiana accounted for 80 percent of alligator farming and 20 percent in Florida. Other states have smaller operations. By the end of 2002, Louisiana and Florida had almost 223,000 alligators in farms. Alligators are carnivores and must be feed animal protein. Approximately 400 pounds of protein is required to grow an alligator to six feet length. Foods prepared for alligators in breeding farms include, aged or freezer – burned meat from markets, unused fish from commercial trawlers and affal from poultry processing plants. Alligators produce nutritious meat and alligator hides. Gator meat is an excellent source of niacin, B12 vitamin, potassium and phosphorous minerals. Also, the meat has low sodium and cholesterol amount. Alligator meat of 100 grams contains 143 calories, three percent fat and 29 percent protein. The taste of white alligator meat is comparable to eating pork or chicken. Alligator meat is purchased at local fish markets, prepared in some restaurants, and many times available at seafood festivals. Alligator meat sold at wholesale prices (2006): Between $4.50 – $4.75 per pound, and retail price between: $7.50 – $10 per pound. In 2005, Louisiana furnished 300,000 alligator hides, manufactured to make expensive watch – straps, shoes, handbags, and brief cases. Sometimes, alligator farmers will establish an agreement, with private landowners to collect alligator eggs on their property. In 2006 conservatively, eggs collected by farmers will account for 320,000 and paying approximately $8.50 per egg. Average time, takes fifteen months for an alligator to reach marketable size. Breeding alligator herds of 150 females and 50 males will produce, approximately 1,100 hatchlings a year. In Cold weather, alligators become dormant or inactive and do not grow. Farmers prevent this dormant stage, by keeping indoor temperature warm (86 Degrees Fahrenheit), under a controlled environment. The state of Louisiana accounts for 33 percent (2003), receiver of raw farmed alligator skin. The alligator skin is purchased by brokers for resale or by tanning facilities (The process of converting the skin into leather). Alligator farms roughly earn 30 percent of their income from alligator meat.
The Florida Fish and Wild Life Commission conducts hunts for wild alligators, during the season that ends on October 8. Since 2005, eighteen consecutive seasons alligators hunts have been conducted in Florida. Hunters may use snatch hooks, snares, gigs or harpoons, but prohibited using firearms.
