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American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Reptile · family Alligatoridae · order Crocodilia

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

American Alligator
Photo: User:Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Similarity of Appearance (Threatened)[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
11 states[3]
Longest recorded life
77 years[4]

The American alligator is a reptile in the family Alligatoridae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) worldwide, and it is native to 11 US states[2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the American alligator a global rank of G5 (Secure) and a national US rank of N5 (Secure)[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. Under the Endangered Species Act it has the status Similarity of Appearance (Threatened), listed March 11, 1967[1]. International trade is controlled under CITES Appendix II[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Similarity of Appearance (Threatened), listed March 11, 1967
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
CITES (international trade)[8] Appendix II
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where American Alligator lives

NatureServe lists the American alligator as native in 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas[3]. NatureServe also gives it a rank in each of those states[10]. The ESA listing names Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas as listed range states[1]. Most online sighting records come from Florida, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Georgia, which reflects where people look and report[11].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: native, state rank S4ARTennessee: native, state rank S3TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S3NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S4OKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: native, state rank S4MSAlabama: native, state rank S4ALGeorgia: native, state rank S4GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S4TXFlorida: native, state rank S4FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[10].
Show state ranks (11 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS4Apparently Secure
ArkansasS4Apparently Secure
FloridaS4Apparently Secure
GeorgiaS4Apparently Secure
LouisianaS5Secure
MississippiS4Apparently Secure
North CarolinaS3Vulnerable
OklahomaS4Apparently Secure
South CarolinaS5Secure
TennesseeS3Vulnerable
TexasS4Apparently Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records wetlands of several kinds, including herbaceous, scrub-shrub and forested wetlands, plus riparian areas, rivers, creeks and shallow water[12]. The animal lives in fresh and brackish marshes, ponds, lakes, swamps, bayous and canals[13]. It often rests on logs or on land beside the water[13]. It digs dens in the edges of waterways or marshes and uses them in cold weather and dry spells[13]. Females build large mounded nests from plant material and mud at the water's edge[13].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[12]

Size, diet and lifespan

The American alligator is an opportunistic feeder, which means it eats what it can find[14]. Young animals eat mostly crayfish, insects and mollusks, along with small fish, amphibians and small mammals[14]. Larger animals eat birds, reptiles, mammals and fish[14]. Small prey is swallowed whole, and larger prey is torn into chunks[14]. NatureServe records a typical length of 400 cm (157 in)[15]. Females reach sexual maturity at 4,380 days of age[16]. The longest recorded lifespan is 77 years in captivity, and that is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 400 cm (157 in)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 77 years (captivity)
Female maturity[16] 4,380 days (about 12.0 years)
Food habits[17] Carnivore, Piscivore, Invertivore

When to look for it

NatureServe records that adults hibernate or aestivate, which means they go dormant in harsh conditions[18]. In cold winters and dry spells, alligators stay in their dens[13]. Online observation records peak in March, April and May[19]. These records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[19].

January: 5,829 recordsJanFebruary: 7,526 recordsFebMarch: 12,682 recordsMarApril: 12,557 recordsAprMay: 7,618 recordsMayJune: 5,709 recordsJunJuly: 4,226 recordsJulAugust: 4,105 recordsAugSeptember: 4,095 recordsSepOctober: 4,975 recordsOctNovember: 5,503 recordsNovDecember: 5,625 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[19].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January5,829
February7,526
March12,682
April12,557
May7,618
June5,709
July4,226
August4,105
September4,095
October4,975
November5,503
December5,625

Where to see it

This species is protected or at risk, so we show its range only at the state level. We do not publish parks, nesting, spawning or wintering sites.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Florida, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia[11]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Safety around this animal

These tips are quoted in summary from official agencies. We add no advice of our own. Follow local rules and the agency pages linked below.

From Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

  • Never feed an alligator, and keep your distance when you see one.
  • Swim only in designated swimming areas and only in daylight.
  • Keep pets on a leash and away from the water's edge.
  • Serious injuries from alligators are rare in Florida. FWC runs a Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission[20]

Questions people ask

Is the American alligator endangered?
NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure) globally, and the IUCN category it records is Least concern[2][7]. Under the ESA it has the status Similarity of Appearance (Threatened), listed March 11, 1967[1].
Where do American alligators live?
NatureServe lists them as native in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas[3]. They live in marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes and rivers[13].
What do American alligators eat?
They are opportunistic feeders[14]. Young ones eat mostly crayfish, insects and mollusks, and larger ones eat birds, reptiles, mammals and fish[14].
How big do American alligators get?
NatureServe records a typical length of 400 cm (157 in)[15].
How long do American alligators live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 77 years in captivity[4]. That is a record, not a typical lifespan[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Under the US Endangered Species Act, American alligator has the status Similarity of Appearance (Threatened), listed March 11, 1967 (USFWS ECOS). States in the listed range: Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas. USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for American Alligator: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists American Alligator as native in 11 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 77 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a reptile in the family Alligatoridae, order Crocodilia. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. CITES listing recorded by NatureServe: Appendix II (controls on international trade). NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 10,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe state ranks for American Alligator (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  11. US states with the most GBIF observation records of American Alligator: Florida, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  12. Habitat types NatureServe records for American Alligator: Herbaceous wetland, Scrub-shrub wetland, Forested wetland, Riparian, Big river, Medium river, Creek, Spring/spring brook, Low gradient, Pool, Shallow water. NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on habitat for American Alligator. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for American Alligator. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 400 cm (157 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 4,380 days (about 12.0 years). AnAge
  17. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Piscivore, Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Hibernates/aestivates, Circadian. NatureServe Explorer
  19. GBIF observation records of American Alligator in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  20. Safety guidance from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Florida FWC

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: User:Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.