Are Alligators Smart? Everything We Know About Their Intelligence

Alligators are apex predators — but are they smart? Do they possess any intelligence aside from formidable survival instincts? The answer may surprise you! Some crocodilians, including mugger crocodiles and American alligators, use small sticks to lure in birds seeking nesting materials. 

But there’s more. Alligators are closer relatives to birds than other reptiles, and their brain structure is similar. Alligators, like birds descended from archosaurs. Does that mean alligators are as smart as ravens? Perhaps, perhaps not.

Let’s learn more about these fascinating reptiles and their intelligence.

About Alligators

Although there were more alligator species during Earth’s ancient history, only two survive today: The Chinese alligator and the American alligator. 

If you’re like most people, you probably conjured mental images of the American alligator. The lesser known (and lesser researched) Chinese alligator is critically endangered, but its American cousin thrives across its southern United States range.

Regardless of species, alligators are cold-blooded reptiles that may look like giant lizards but are more closely related to birds. They’re huge, hulking, ambush predators that spend more time lurking beneath the water’s surface than walking around. However, they’re quite capable on land and can reach impressive speeds of 11 miles per hours, but up to 30 MPH at a lunge from a stopped position.

As parents, the females build nests to incubate their eggs, and protect those nests until the young ‘gators hatch. Yet, their parental involvement doesn’t stop there: alligators also carry their babies around in their mouths.

But does this indicate intelligence? Let’s dig in! 

What is Intelligence? 

First, let’s look at a dictionary definition. In this, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s definition of intelligence works well: “The ability to learn, understand, or deal with new or trying situations, or the skill of using reason and knowledge.”

Most agree that problem solving, memory, social/emotional intelligence are traits we can use to help determine just how smart an animal is. 

At some level, all alligators have to solve problems, remember where they left their eggs, and for many — protect their young. While the problems they solve aren’t as complex as building a skyscraper, they’re no less challenging or important. Regardless, however we measure intelligence, we have to take the species into account: its capabilities, needs, etc. 

But what does that mean for alligators?

It means we need to be fair and determine alligator intelligence by what they need and how they fit into their particular ecological niche.

At one point, scientists believed that only a few select animals used tools, so that was a defining factor of intelligence. However, as they researched and were able to observe several different species using tools, opinions changed — and continue to change.

Author’s note: In response to people who compare reptiles’ intelligence to human intelligence, I often say that it isn’t a fair comparison. Reptiles are as smart as they need to be, because in the end, they don’t need to build bridges, vehicles, or space stations — reptiles need to feed, breed, and survive.  

Are Reptile Brains More Primitive?

The short answer is yes, but its more similar to humans than you might expect.

In his 1957 paper, Paul MacLean theorized that the human brain has three sections, nested together according to their evolutionary age. He introduced the idea of the primitive “lizard brain” that controls fight or flight, breeding, feeding, etc.

His ideas took off like wildfire. Then, thinkers like Carl Sagan used the ideas in their writing, further cementing in the public’s memory.

Scientists made assumptions based on MacLean’s hypothesis that clearly had evidence disproving it.

MacLean believed that reptiles didn’t possess any of the “higher” brain sections like the neocortex. He thought those evolved later in primates. But a 2018 study in Science discovered that reptiles do possess those sections — all of them. However, they’re less evolved versions of them. We humans and other primates received the more advanced version.

However, as science progressed, more researchers questioned the theory, even though some began the moment he published the paper. The 2018 study gave us valuable insight into the mind of an alligator.. 

Alligators Can Solve Problems

Problem solving is a basic survival skill, even though we often equate problem solving with smarter or “more evolved” brains. However, without the ability to find solutions to problems like finding food, mates, and nesting sites, alligators would not be one of the most ancient species on the planet today.

• Den construction: Alligators construct dens in areas where they need to pass the winter. 
• Hunting behavior: Some alligators position branches and twigs on top of their snout that birds might use for nesting material. Then, when a bird tries to grab one, the alligator can grab a snack. They only do this during nesting season.
• Freezing their snout in areas where they must brumate. Alligators that live in water that freezes over position themselves in a shallow pond, stick their nostrils right above the water level, and let themselves freeze in place. The behavior leaves them protected and with an oxygen supply while they snooze.

What About Communication?

All crocodilians communicate through a series of grunts and growls. They even emit sub-sonic sounds that are below our human hearing range.

When babies begin hatching, they grunt, and their mom comes running. She wouldn’t come running if they didn’t grunt. Or maybe she would find another way to figure out her hatchlings need help. Regardless, that’s communication.

Adult ‘gators communicate too — for everything from territorial disputes to mating calls. 

Emotional Intelligence: Alligator Moms Protect Their Young

Here’s the item that will probably surprise you. Yes, alligators have some level of emotional intelligence. No, it isn’t just like people. We are not anthropomorphizing — just looking at it logically. 

Alligator moms construct huge nest mounds so their eggs can safely incubate. Then, when the babies start hatching, they come and help the kids escape — by carrying them in their mouths to the water. However, that’s not where their care and keeping ends. Those babies will be protected and sometimes fed by mom for up to three years after hatching. 

You could argue that’s all instinct. But you can’t deny that coming back, day after day for up to three years is devotion. It’s a choice. So, do alligators feel love? Science shows that, at least on some basic, primal level, yes, alligators feel love.

Memory: Can Alligators Remember and Learn from Experiences?

Well, what good would it do for an animal to forget where their favorite tasty meal or hideout is located? Of course, they can learn and remember. While the drive to experiment and try out different ideas to get their next meal is instinctive. Learning particular hunting behaviors, parenting, mating, and communication all require memory.

Crocodilians and birds share remarkably similar brains — which is why some scientists immediately disputed MacLean’s hypothesis. They already knew that crocodilians were more closely related to birds than other reptiles, so the idea was ludicrous. However, MacLeans ideas spread because they were simple and elegant — if inaccurate. 

When you consider ravens and other extremely smart birds, the idea that crocodilians are as dumb as a box of rocks also seems ludicrous. Sure, they’re not Einstein, but if you judge a fish by how well it can climb a tree, you’ll always think the fish is stupid. 

So, are alligators smart? Alligators are as smart as they need to be.