Alligators are hatched about eight inches long.  Males average between 10 and 12 ft. long while females average 6 to 8 ft. long.

            The life span of an alligator is between 60 and 90 years.

            Large alligators can be dangerous, particularly after they have been fed.  Feeding alligators causes them to lose their fear of humans.  After feeding they become bold, aggressive and tend to expect more food.

            These cold blooded reptiles often lie motionless for hours.  They become active at feeding time and during the warm summer months.  During the colder winter months their metabolism slows down and they require little food.

Little Known Facts About Alligators

• A mature alligator brain is the size of a jaw breaker.

• Alligators have 40 teeth on top and bottom.

• Wild Alligators take up to 4 years to grow 4 feet.

• It is easy to hold their mouth shut with one hand.

• Alligators can have over 2,000 lbs. of pressure when the jaw is closing.

• Alligators can live 2 years without eating.

• Alligators can stay under water for 2 hours at a time.

• Alligators have a broader snot than crocodiles, generally they are not as aggressive as crocodiles and usually do not grow as large.

• Because of their skin, the alligator was placed on the endangered species list of 10 years.

• Captive alligators reportedly can live to be 90 years old.

• In 1988 there were 105 nuisance calls, in 2001, 305, mainly because of urban development.

• In 2002 the average seasonal hunt size was 7' 3".

• Presently over 25 Texas farmers have nearly 40,000 alligators.

• In 1998 the Texas record for a male alligator was 14' 4", and the female was 12'.