![]() Where to find Alligator GarĪlligator Gar is a widespread species across Texas and many other states. It helps keep a perfect balance between every species in the environment. They are the main reason our rough fish (carp, buffalo, shad, etc.) population stays in check. Alligator Gar holds a vital role in our Texas ecosystems. They may look menacing, but it is far from it. Still, once being out in the field and studying this fish, I concluded that Alligator Gar is, in fact, one of the most docile, gentle giants you can be around. I was always told that Alligator Gar was “trash fish” and is a nuisance. ![]() My journey with this fish started some years ago, thanks to my best friend, Howard Fain. They are the fish that I have dedicated my time, blood, sweat, and tears to target full time. It takes time, patience, and most of all, a love for fishing to target.Īlligator Gar holds a special place in my heart. So, you want to learn how to catch an Alligator Gar? Before we get into the specifics, I want to let you know this fish is HARD to target. During this time, they can be found in burrows that they construct adjacent to an alligator hole or open water, but they occasionally emerge to bask in the sun during periods of warm weather.Texas Alligator Gar Fishing Tips and Tricks (How to catch Atractosteus Spatula) Alligators are dormant throughout much of the winter. They stop feeding when the ambient temperature drops below approximately 70° F, and they become dormant below 55° F. They are most active when temperatures are between 82° to 92° F. ![]() They regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun or moving to areas with warmer or cooler air or water temperatures. As an alligator population matures (and has a higher percentage of large animals), the survival rate would be expected to be lower, in part due to a higher rate of cannibalism.Īlligators are ectothermic (cold blooded). This estimate is for a growing alligator population. Incubation requires approximately 60-65 days, and hatching occurs in late August or early September.įrom an average clutch size of 35, an estimated 4 alligators will reach maturity. Females build a mound nest of soil, vegetation, or debris and deposit approximately 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. Courtship begins in early April, and mating occurs in May or June. A female may require 10 to 15 years and a male 8 to 12 years to reach these lengths. Nearly all alligators become sexually mature by the time they reach about 7 feet in length although females can reach maturity at 6 feet. Adult alligators eat rough fish, snakes, turtles, small mammals, and birds. Juvenile alligators eat primarily insects, amphibians, small fish, and other invertebrates. ![]() Their diets include prey species that are abundant and easily accessible. Armored plates (scutes) cover the body dorsally, and alligators have a vertically flattened tail.Īlligators are opportunistic feeders. The Florida record for weight is a 1,043 pound (13 feet 10-1/2 inches long) male from Orange Lake in Alachua County. The Florida state record for length is a 14-foot 3 1/2-inch male from Lake Washington in Brevard County. Many people associate alligators with the color green, but this misconception comes from the green algae and floating vegetation that frequently adheres to an alligator’s back.įemale alligators rarely exceed 10 feet in length, but males can grow much larger. It is not uncommon for alligators to take on the colors of their environment. American crocodiles are a brownish gray color, and are generally paler colored than alligators. Adult alligators are primarily dark gray in color with a lighter color underside, although juvenile alligators will have light colored stripes on their sides for camouflage. The American crocodile has a narrow snout, and the fourth tooth of the lower jaw protrudes when closed. Alligators have a broad, rounded snout with no lower teeth visible when their jaw is closed. Alligators can be distinguished from the American crocodile by head shape and color. The American alligator is a large aquatic reptile and is one of two crocodilians native to Florida.
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