7 Most Alligator Filled Places in the Deep South
From birds to bats, wildlife is abundant in America's deep south. One of the largest and most unnerving animals you might spot in these states is the American Alligator. The American Alligator is only found in the United States. They can grow up to 12 feet in size and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Alligators like slow-moving freshwater rivers but are also found in swamps, marshes, and lakes. Alligators are found in southern lakes, such as Lousiana's Lake Martin. They are also found in rivers, such as Mississippi's Pascagoula River. Here, we will explore the seven most alligator-filled places in the Deep-South.
Lake Martin, Louisiana
Lake Martin, in Louisiana's cypress-tupelo swamps.
One of the most alligator-filled places in all the South is in Louisiana. Louisiana itself is home to an estimated 2 million alligators, more than the approximately 1.3 million in Florida. Alligators are found in lakes, rivers, and swamps in the state. One of the most gator-infested lakes in Louisiana is Lake Martin. Here visitors are almost guaranteed to see an alligator. Near the lake are swampy waters with cypress trees that are thousands of years old. This is the perfect environment for alligators. Lake Martin is full of a diversity of wildlife including other birds, fish, frogs, and turtles, all of which are a food source for the gators. Near the lake, there is a bridge where visitors can see alligators at a safe distance. For those feeling braver, there is the opportunity to paddle on the lake in a kayak or canoe. There are also several outdoor companies offering guided tours.
Cypress Lake, Louisiana
Cypress Lake in Lafayette, Louisiana.
One of the most surprising places to find alligators is on a university campus. Cypress Lake is a small 2-acre lake on the University of Louisiana campus in Lafayette. The lake has so many alligators that it has become a tourist attraction for people looking to see these creatures. There is even a deck near the dining hall where visitors can look for alligators. Even though the alligators are near a University campus, there has never been a reported incident with one. Sometimes, alligators do wander too close to the dorms, but they are relocated back into the wild. More alligators are noticeable in Cypress Lake around May and June. This is the time of year when female alligators build nests on the perimeter of the lake. Whatever eggs they lay will hatch later in the year between August and September.
Pascagoula River, Mississippi
The Pascagoula River is home to a diversity of wildlife, including cypress trees, hundreds of bird species, and alligators. Around 25% of all the alligators in Mississippi live in the Pascagoula River. The Pascagoula River empties into Mississippi's portion of the Gulf Coast. The warm waters of the Gulf are perfect for alligators. The abundance of fish and waterfowl in the Pascagoula also makes the river an appealing home for gators. Most alligator sightings on the Pascagoula River have been reported in Jackson County.
Caddo Lake, Louisiana
Sitting on the border of Louisiana and Texas, Caddo Lake is the perfect environment for alligators. Around half of the lake is in Louisiana, while the other half is in Texas. This lake has some of the most alligators out of any lake in Louisiana. Caddo Lake is surrounded by the bayou, the perfect habitat for alligators. The mossy trees, murky waters, and abundance of fish frogs, and birds all make the lake perfect alligator territory. The lake is home to 93 different species of fish, a perfect food source for gators. Caddo Lake is famous for its larger gators. In 2016, a family caught an alligator that was over 13 feet long in Caddo Lake. Considering the abundance of alligators here, this is not a place to go swimming. Those looking to spot an alligator can take a kayak on the edge of the lake.
Yazoo River, Mississippi
The Yazoo River winds through both Louisiana and Mississippi. The river is important, marking the southern border of the Mississippi Delta floodplain. The river spans 188 miles long. Along with the Big Sunflower River, the Yazoo River is an integral part of the Mississippi Delta’s ecosystem. The area is home to waterfowl, white-tailed deer, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, fish, and alligators. While exact estimates of the number of alligators in the Yazoo River are unknown, there are frequent sightings here. One of the biggest alligators ever caught in the United States was also caught in the Yazoo River. The alligator was 14 feet and 3 inches long, weighing over 800 pounds.
Millwood State Park, Arkansas
Arkansas isn't a state known for alligators. Compared to the other states on the list, Arkansas has few alligators. However, there are places in the state where alligators are thriving. One of these is Millwood State Park. In the Southeastern corner of the state, Millwood State Park is full of swamp-like waters. There are also lower temperatures compared to the rest of the state here, making it the perfect place for gators. Millwood State Park is renowned for its bass fishing. Millwood Lake has a diverse habitat, being near the Little River. The abundance of fish in Millwood Lake also makes it an ideal spot for alligators because of the abundance of food. The presence of the American Alligator here is one reason swimming isn't allowed in the park.
Lake Marion, South Carolina
South Carolina is home to an estimated 100,000 alligators. While this is a lot less than states such as Louisiana, there are still pockets in the state with an abundance of gators. One of these places is Lake Marion. This is the largest lake in South Carolina, covering more than 110,000 acres. Alligators in this lake are found in the shallows and swampy areas of the lakes as well as in the lakes' coves and creeks. Lake Marion is home to an estimated 100 gators. While the lake is a freshwater lake, it never gets cold enough to freeze over, making the temperature comfortable for alligators. Lake Marion is also full of fish, giving alligators a perfect food source.
Understanding and Respecting Alligators in the Deep South
The American Alligator is a keystone species in the Southeast United States. This means that other animals depend on the Alligator species to survive. The American Alligator uses its tail to dig a burrow to keep warm and to nest. When an alligator moves on from its nest, the hole from the burrow is filled with fresh water. This brings groundwater to the surface and provides water for other species to drink during droughts. This is only one example of how alligators positively impact the ecosystem.
The importance of alligators to different ecosystems might make you more curious to see one. Overall, if you want to see an Alligator in America's Deep South, these seven lakes and rivers are the places to go. If you visit one of these places, remember to keep your distance from alligators. While they are cool to see, they are also dangerous. It is also important to never feed an alligator. Otherwise, they will start to expect food from humans and become aggressive when not receiving food. With these safety tips, you can enjoy traveling to America's Deep South to see these amazing creatures.
