Let’s dive into understanding the alligators of Louisiana. Louisiana is home to substantial amounts of alligators, roaming many of the state’s rivers. In this article, we’ll be exploring the alligators that live in the Red River. We’ll identify where the Red River is and why alligators thrive there. We’ll also be discussing some general Louisiana alligator topics, such as how many live in the state, whether Louisiana has more alligators than Florida, and more!
Where is the Red River?
The Red River sits alongside one of Louisiana’s major cities, Shreveport (pictured above). Shreveport is in the northwest corner of Louisiana.
©ChrisBoswell/iStock via Getty Images
First and foremost, let’s identify where the Red River is. The Red River flows through much of Louisiana, with its Louisianian footprint starting in the northwest corner of the state. It is a tributary of the Atchafalaya River, which is itself a distributary of the massive Mississippi River. The Red River is also called the Red River of the South, because there is a Red River located in the northern part of the United States.
The Red River is the second-largest river basin in the southern Great Plains region, making it a substantial water body. It’s over 1,300 feet in length and flows through multiple states in the southern half of the US, including Texas and Arkansas. It’s called the Red River because of the reddish hue the water takes due to the geology of the region. There are spots where the river looks particularly red.
How Many Alligators Live There?
Alligator fatalities are not common in the United States. In fact, in the last few hundred years, less than 400 fatalities total have occurred in the US. However, it’s important to remain careful as you explore watersheds that have confirmed alligator sightings (like the Red River).
©Heather Schor/Shutterstock.com
Louisiana is home to significant numbers of alligators. In fact, the state is home to around 2.4 million of the reptiles. With a river so long, it’s no surprise that alligators enjoy the Red River. While it’s difficult to account for precisely how many alligators occupy the Red River of the South, there are enough alligators in the waters to make it unsafe to swim.
Fun fact: while alligators can vary considerably in size, the largest alligator in Louisiana was over 19 feet long! That’s a big reptile!
Why Do Alligators Love The Red River?
The Red River is definitely not the most concentrated alligator habitat in Louisiana. In fact, the Red River is a saltwater river, and alligators by far prefer freshwater. However, alligator sightings occur in the Red River, likely due to the general population of alligators in Louisiana. The Red River is a massive water body and, therefore, alligators will explore it.
Alligators, in general, enjoy Louisiana due to the climate. Louisiana is wet and warm, making it a perfect environment for alligators to thrive. Even in the northern regions of Louisiana, alligators can survive and thrive. For example, Shreveport is a northwest city in Louisiana, and the creatures still find their homes there. Thus, while the Red River isn’t the perfect setting for alligators, the great climate of Louisiana makes the water body a good enough spot to settle in.
Does Louisiana Have More Alligators Than Florida?
Alligators are dark and love fresh water. Crocodiles, on the other hand, are more green and prefer salt water. While the Red River is salt water, there are still no crocodiles there!
©J.A. Dunbar/Shutterstock.com
Louisiana and Florida both have great climates for alligators to thrive. However, Louisiana is home to significantly more alligators. In fact, Louisiana has a population of over 2 million alligators, while Florida is only home to around 1.4 million. However, crocodiles live in Florida and do not populate Louisiana. While Florida doesn’t take the cake for the alligator population, they are still home to some incredible record-holding reptiles.
How are Alligators Managed in Louisiana?
There are a significant number of alligators in the state of Louisiana, which means the species needs to be managed by the state to stay healthy. The state of Louisiana pursues alligator management which helps to ensure commercial practices are ethical. Alligator management in Louisiana includes both wild harvesting and farming efforts, which keep the population at a healthy number.
Alligators are farmed for a few different reasons, which are divided into consumptive and non-consumptive categories. Consumptive reasons include meats and hides, while non-consumptive categories refer to wildlife observation efforts. The Louisiana government wants to make sure that alligators are protected in the region, but due to the high numbers of population and the health of the species, farming for consumption is still allowed.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © David Arment from Getty Images/ via Canva.com
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