American alligators live in a variety of wetland habitats. In Georgia,
these large reptiles mostly are found south towards the Okefenokee and along the coast. However, their range also extends northward to the upper Coastal Plain...
American alligators live in a variety of wetland habitats. In Georgia,
these large reptiles mostly are found south towards the Okefenokee and along the coast. However, their range also extends northward to the upper Coastal Plain.
In May, deep, bellowing calls attract mates. By June, alligator pairs
have bred. Shortly thereafter, females lay up to 60 eggs in nests made
of vegetation, sticks and mud. More nest material placed on top of the
eggs incubates them, and the young hatch out 65 days later. The
temperature during development determines the sex of the young: 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit forms females; 90-93 degrees Fahrenheit yields males, and a mix is found in between those temperatures.
WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife
interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources
Division.
A picture-perfect Georgia Outdoors
Georgia Outdoors has been encouraging people to get out and enjoy
the art of nature photography for five years through the shows
nature photography contest. This week, Georgia Outdoors takes a look back at some of the winners and the amazing places the contest has brought into focus.
The episode is scheduled on Georgia Public Broadcasting channels at
9:30 p.m. Friday, May 23; noon and 6 p.m. Saturday, May 24; and, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27.