Alligators with Andrea...

April 16th was a beautiful day at Caw Caw for an alligator ramble. Lead by Andrea Grabman, an Interpretive Recreation Aide with CCPRC, the group of us saw lots of birds, a few snakes, and several alligators, both large and small.

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the only member of the order crocodilia native to South Carolina. The only other species native to the United States, the American crocodile, is restricted to southern Florida.

Andrea refreshed us all on a few of the many fascinating alligator facts.

• Humans are not a prey item.
• Alligators can stay underwater for 45-60 minutes.
• Alligators will go dormant (brumation) when the weather gets cold.
• In South Carolina, nuisance alligators are not relocated.
• Alligators are the loudest reptile.
• In a nest of 30 eggs, there is a 50% hatch rate, with 5-6 of those reaching maturity.
• Alligators have a range of 2 sq miles.
• They have a lifespan of 50 yrs in the wild.

Thank you to Andrea for a fun and educational morning with South Carolina’s primary apex predator.