Seabrook Island is home to a healthy population of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), a species once protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Alligators are ambush predators, meaning they lie in wait for prey to come within striking distance, then rush out to capture them. Humans are not natural prey, but alligators can mistake humans for other animals and will attack if they feel threatened.
Their natural habitat is in the lagoons and ponds, but they often travel between them to get away from larger alligators or to find a mate. The courting season for alligators is early April, and mating occurs in May through early June, when temperatures are warm. Since we are heading into mating season, you may see an alligator traveling on the road or in your yard, and you may hear males bellowing to attract females and mark territory.
Keep your distance if you see an alligator. Don’t assume alligators are slow – they can move very quickly and can run very fast. Don’t go close to them to get a better look or take a picture! Experts, wildlife authorities, and park services recommend maintaining a safe distance of at least 30 feet from alligators.
If you have a concern about an alligator, call the Seabrook Island Security Gate at 843-768-6641.
Additional safety tips around alligators:
- Do not attempt to move alligators out of the road.
- Do not feed alligators.
- It is illegal to harass, throw things at, or harm alligators in any way.
- Do not disturb nests or small alligators. Female alligators are very protective.
- Keep your pets and children away from alligators.
- Do not corner, trap, or hunt alligators.
- Be alert around the shore of freshwater ponds or wetlands.
- Avoid swimming in areas that are known habitats for large alligators.
The Seabrook Island Property Owners’ Association (SIPOA) has put together several documents that address concerns about alligators, including the SIPOA Alligator Safety Guide and articles from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). To access those documents, click here.
The Town Code for Seabrook Island also prohibits the harassment of marine life and wildlife. To read their information, click here.
Some interesting facts about alligators:
- Alligators have between 74 and 80 teeth in their mouth at one time. As teeth wear down, they are replaced. An alligator can go through 3,000 teeth in a lifetime.
- Baby alligators hatch in August and September and measure about 6 to 8 inches long.
- Juvenile alligators grow about one foot per year. Adult male alligators measure 11 – 15 feet in length; adult females measure 8 – 9 feet in length. Often, juveniles travel to different ponds or lagoons to get away from the more aggressive adult males.
Remember – be smart – be aware.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: nas.er.usgs.gov)