The answer to whether alligators are present in Alabama is an unequivocal yes, as the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a native species within the state’s diverse aquatic ecosystems. Alabama forms part of the natural, historical range for this large reptile, which is the only crocodilian species found there. Their presence is a natural component of the state’s ecology. The alligators inhabit various freshwater and brackish environments, including lakes, rivers, and coastal marshes, where they act as apex predators, helping to maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
The Alligator’s Range in Alabama
The highest concentrations of the American Alligator are found in the southern and coastal regions of Alabama, where the climate and extensive wetland systems offer optimal habitat. Populations are particularly dense within the vast Mobile-Tensaw Delta and the coastal counties, including Mobile, Baldwin, and Washington County. These areas provide the necessary freshwater marshes, swamps, and bayous for feeding, nesting, and regulating body temperature. The total alligator population in the southern half of the state is estimated to be around 70,000 individuals.
While their primary sustainable habitat is the southern portion of the state, alligators are occasionally sighted further north. These isolated occurrences mark the northern boundary of their range, as colder winters limit the survival rate of hatchlings in those areas. However, a small, established population exists far north at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge along the Tennessee River. This northern group originated from a relocation effort in 1979, demonstrating that adult alligators can survive well outside of the coastal plain.
Alligator Population Status and Management
The history of the American Alligator in Alabama is a significant conservation success story, following a period of near-extinction caused by unregulated hunting in the early 20th century. Alabama was a pioneer in protecting the species, becoming the first state to outlaw unlimited alligator harvest in 1938. This early protection was followed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placing the American Alligator on the Endangered Species List in 1967.
Decades of state and federal protection allowed the species to rebound dramatically, leading to its removal from the Endangered Species List by 1987. The species remains federally protected due to its physical similarity to the endangered American crocodile. Its population is now robust enough to be classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) actively monitors and manages this recovered population.
The healthy population now necessitates management tools, including a strictly regulated, limited alligator hunting season. The hunt is conducted in specific Alligator Management Areas (AMAs) across the state and is designed to control population growth and mitigate human-alligator conflicts. This annual, permitted harvest is a management strategy, allowing the state to maintain a balance between a thriving alligator population and public safety.
Safety Guidelines for Alligator Encounters
Living within the alligator’s range requires adopting specific safety practices to minimize the risk of human-alligator conflict. The fundamental rule is to never feed an alligator, as state law prohibits this activity. Feeding causes alligators to lose their natural wariness of humans, leading them to associate people with food, which increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior.
People should exercise caution near freshwater and brackish bodies, especially during the hours between dusk and dawn when alligators are most active. Pets are particularly vulnerable because their size and movement patterns resemble the alligators’ natural prey, so owners should keep dogs and cats away from the water’s edge. Similarly, the scraps from cleaning fish should be disposed of in a secure garbage receptacle, never tossed into the water, as this also attracts alligators to human-use areas.
If an alligator is spotted in an unusual location, such as a swimming pool or garage, it is considered a nuisance alligator, and the public should not attempt to handle it. The ADCNR has a dedicated procedure for addressing these situations, which begins with officials determining if the problem requires the removal of the animal. Individuals should contact their regional ADCNR district office to report the sighting and allow trained personnel to assess and manage the situation safely.