Alligator Mating Season

Alligator Mating Season Reminder

Alligator mating season begins in April with the courtship phase. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), mating takes place in May and June. During this time, alligators will be on the move and may be more aggressive. Please give them a wide berth and respect their territory.

Female alligators construct nests by mounding up vegetation, sticks, leaves, and mud in a sheltered spot in or near water. According to the FWC, female gators lay between 32 and 46 eggs in late June or early July. The eggs are covered with more vegetation for incubation. Females stay near the nest during incubation and actively defend it from predators. Females may be aggressive towards humans, often hissing and charging at intruders, so alligator nests should never be approached. Hatching typically takes place from mid-August through early September.

DO NOT walk your dogs close to the edge of the pond. Gators often lie under the water, waiting for prey to come to them. For those of you who fish, beware that they are very aggressive during mating season and may also come out of the water after you.

According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the average size of a male alligator is 11.2 feet. They can weigh nearly half a ton, or 1,000 pounds.

Generally, alligators less than 4 feet in length are not large enough to be dangerous unless they are provoked. However, if you encounter any alligator that you believe poses a threat to people, pets, or property, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). In addition, please be aware that nuisance alligators are killed, not relocated. State law prohibits killing, harassing, or possessing alligators.