These Looming Gators’ Eyes are Terrifying

Continue reading...

For many animals, the sound of a youngling causes quite a stir. Alligators are no different in this sense. In fact, a simple baby alligator chirp can cause adult alligators from all around to investigate, similar to what happened in the video above.

Even though there wasn’t actually a young gator present, the mimicked chirp was enough to draw the attention of dozens of adults in the pond. While people often associate baby animal sounds with a cry for their mom, there are several reasons why so many gators approach the noise. 

Call of the Wild: Why Do Adult Alligators Respond to Baby Gators’ Calls?

No one can quite pinpoint the exact reason an alligator decides to respond to the call of a hatchling or juvenile gator. However, there are three generally accepted reasons amongst experts — parental instincts, opportunistic feeding, and social behavior. 

Parental Instincts

While other wildlife, like bears, get the moniker of “excellent moms,” alligator mothers are the epitome of reptilian maternal care. 

When a mother alligator’s eggs hatch — and even before — the hatchlings communicate with her through their chirps and calls. Since these unique vocalizations are often a signal of distress or a sign that the baby needs assistance, it’s possible that some of the gators responding to the mimicked call were mothers. 

Opportunistic Feeding

On the other hand, not all alligators respond with nurturing intentions. Some adults, driven by opportunistic feeding habits, are attracted to these calls, viewing vulnerable hatchlings as an easy meal. This dual response highlights the complex dynamics within alligator populations, where survival often hinges on both protective and predatory behaviors.

Social Behavior

There are many elements people often associate with alligators — apex predator, power, and solitary. However, alligators are very social creatures and tend to gather together in groups called congregations. 

There’s a chance that a few of the gators heard the distress signal from the baby alligator and went to investigate first. As more members of the congregation gathered, others became curious and began to explore the noise until the entire group was surrounding the boat.

What Causes Alligator Eyes to Glow Yellow in the Dark?

Coming across an alligator is almost guaranteed for anyone who has lived or traveled through the southern part of the United States. However, it’s an entirely different experience when you see a pair of eerie yellow glowing eyes staring back at you from a body of water. 

While the sight might feel ominous, the phenomenon is due to a fascinating feature in the alligator’s eyes. 

What is the Function of the Tapetum Lucidum

The secret behind the glowing eyes is a structure called the tapetum lucidum. This reflective layer, located behind the retina, acts like a mirror. As light enters the gator’s eye, it passes through the retina, hits the tapetum lucidum, and reflects through the retina again. 

This reflection through the eye produces the yellow glow we see when looking at the animal’s eyes. 

Do Alligator Eyes Reflect Light?

Absolutely! In fact, it’s the tapetum lucidum that is responsible for the reflective properties, as mentioned in the section above. Even though many people associate the reflective yellow glow with alligators, it’s common in many nocturnal animals with a tapetum lucidum, including raccoons, cats, sharks, and frogs. 

How Well Do Alligators See in the Dark?

Thanks to the tapetum lucidum, alligators have excellent night vision. This adaptation makes them effective nocturnal hunters, navigating murky waters and detecting prey movements under minimal light conditions. Their vision is attuned to the wavelengths prevalent during dusk and dawn, making them formidable predators during these times.

Does the Color of an Alligator’s Eyes Glow Change with Age?

Yellow eyes have become inherently associated with alligators, but eye color may vary depending on age. For example, juvenile alligators often exhibit a reddish reflection, while adults display the common yellow glow.

 While specific changes in color with age are not well-documented, many researchers often attribute this color change to the development in pigmentation of the tapetum lucidum as the alligator matures. 

Why is the Yellow Glow Visible to Humans?

The visibility of the yellow glow to humans is due to the reflection of light off the tapetum lucidum back through the retina and out of the eye. When we shine a light towards an alligator at night, this reflected light is directed back towards the source, making the eyes appear to glow. 

It’s a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the adaptations these ancient creatures have developed to thrive in their environments.