Living with Alligators - Texas Parks and Wildlife [Official] Video Lecture | Hunter Education: Becoming an Expert Hunter - Hobbies

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Once on the verge of extinction,
the American Alligator has made
a remarkable comeback
in the last 30 years.
Good news for alligators of course,
but for us humans it means
being just a little more careful
when we're in alligator country.
The American Alligator is common
in the rivers and wetlands
of the southern U.S.
including the eastern
third of Texas.
These large semi-aquatic reptiles
are carnivorous
and will eat almost anything
they can catch
including fish, turtles, small mammals
and even other alligators.
Alligators will typically
avoid humans
and the majority of these
fearsome looking reptiles
can safely coexist with people.
The key is knowing when an
alligator stops being
just an alligator
and becomes a nuisance.
An alligator basking on the
bank of a river
generally isn't considered
a nuisance
but if that alligator
leaves the water's edge
and approaches houses or
livestock pens,
that's a problem gator.
An alligator that approaches you
as you walk near the water
or an alligator that repeatedly
follows boats or canoes,
these are nuisance alligators that
have likely been fed
and have now lost their
fear of humans.
These alligators have to
be relocated
or destroyed.
In the spring and summer,
alligators move to breed
and find new habitat
so if you see an alligator that
is not approaching people
or posing an obvious threat,
give it time, up to a week
if possible,
to see if it doesn't move on
by itself.
Alligators are a fascinating
part of our Texas landscape
but they are wild animals
and potentially dangerous
once they've lost
their fear of humans.
It is a crime to feed
an alligator
and if caught, you can be fined
up to $500.
But more important,
you could be creating a
possible dangerous situation:
an association between
people and food.
So always remember to keep a
good safe distance between you
and these particular
wild things.
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