Alligator mississippiensis

American alligators once roamed North Carolina as far north as the Dismal Swamp. Now you’ll rarely spot these large reptiles in the northern coastal plain. You might see them near the Battleship North Carolina or in Lake Waccamaw’s canals. Often, only their eyes and snouts are visible poking out of the water. In this manner, they ambush prey such as wading birds and frogs. Though historically hunted for skins and meat, alligators now are federally listed as threatened and protected.

Cool Links:

Endangered Species Success Story: American Alligator PDF - U.S. Fish & Wildlife service pamphlet about alligators and their recovery from near extinction. Alligator pamphlet in HTML

Okefenokee Alligator Forecast - Heading to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge? Check out this page to see where you're most likely to spot 'gators!

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