Baby Alligators
I say, nothing’s cuter than a baby alligator, especially when you get to cradle it in your hands!
I know I’ve been lucky with my wildlife encounters. So far in my travels I’ve been able to cuddle baby Tasmanian Devils, swim with baby sharks, hatch baby green sea turtles, and feed a baby moose.But now I can add baby alligators to the list because in Louisiana, they’re just about everywhere that’s wet.
Alligators are fairly common throughout Louisiana, but not so long ago, their numbers had dwindled to the dangerously low point where hunting the reptiles had to be stopped. In 1972, the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge was formed from a large territory of coastal swamp habitat that was donated by the local McIllhenny family.
Over the past thirty years, a species’ recovery program has brought the numbers of Louisiana alligators back to very healthy numbers. Biologists, park rangers, hunters and alligator farmers all work together to ensure both an abundant wild population and a sustainable harvest for meat and leather. As part of the program, alligator eggs are harvested from the wild, then incubated, hatched and raised on licensed alligator farms. Of these animals, 12% are returned into the wild (compared to the 1% survival rate of baby gators who remain in the wild).
The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the largest reptile in North America, and yet it begins life as a teeny-tiny dragon that can fit right in the palm of your hand. Honestly, I had so much fun playing with these squirmy little guys, it was hard for me to put them down.
Then, in my recurring tradition of strange-colored animals, I got to meet a baby, all-white (leucistic) alligator, which is rare but not entirely uncommon. The biologists at the Rockefeller Refuge plucked him out of the wild in order to increase his chance of survival to adulthood.
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- Why you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, GreeceWhy you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, Greece
- Mansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded AgeMansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded Age
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip