Video

How Dangerous Are Mississippi River Alligators?

By Abby Parks

Published March 25, 2026 Runtime 3:20

Alligators are often seen as one of the most intimidating predators in the United States, and the Mississippi River is one of the most well-known waterways they inhabit. But just how dangerous are these reptiles, especially in such a large and heavily traveled river system?

In this video, we take a closer look at alligators in the Mississippi River, including where they’re most commonly found, how they behave, and what kind of risk they actually pose to humans.

About the Author

Abby Parks

Abby Parks has authored a fiction novel, theatrical plays, short stories, poems, and song lyrics. She's recorded two albums of her original songs, and is a multi-instrumentalist. She has managed a website for folk music and written articles on singer-songwriters, folk bands, and other things music-oriented. She's also a radio DJ for a folk music show. As well as having been a pet parent to rabbits, birds, dogs, and cats, Abby loves seeking sightings of animals in the wild and has witnessed some more exotic ones such as Puffins in the Farne Islands, Southern Pudu on the island of Chiloe (Chile), Penguins in the wild, and countless wild animals in the Rocky Mountains (Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, Moose, Elk, Marmots, Beavers).

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