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Description

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a large species of alligatoroid crocodilian that is endemic to the southern United States. Like most crocodilians the American alligator is a powerful and potentially dangerous and aggressive animal, more than capable of attacking and killing an adult human. Although attacks on humans are rare, they do occur, 37 fatal attacks by have been recorded since the 1700s (as of June 2020) according to CrocBITE. Unfortunately it appears fatal alligator attacks on humans are increasingly in frequency, likely due to human activity and development moving further into alligator habitat and territory.

Largest verified specimen:

The largest verified American alligator was a specimen that was harvested on the 16th of August 2014 by Mandy Stokes from the Alabama River, Wilcox County, Alabama. The entire animal was later preserved and mounted and is currently on display at the Montgomery Zoo and Mann wildlife Learning Museum, Florida. This alligator measured 450 cm TL (total length) and possessed a HL (head length) of 61 cm, yielding a TL to HL ratio of 1:7.38. The entire body weight was recorded as 458 kg (Brunell et al., 2015). The previous record holder for the largest verified specimen was an alligator harvested on the 1st of November 2010, by Robert Ammerman from the St. Johns River, Brevard County, Florida. This alligator measured 435.5 cm TL and possessed a HL of 59.5 cm, yielding a TL to HL ratio of 1:7.34. The recorded total body weight was 296.5 kg (Brunell, 2013).

The largest specimen with photographic evidence:

A large alligator described by Mcllhenny (1935), was killed by Max Touchit in March 1916 on Marsh Island, Louisiana. Although the freshly killed animal was unfortunately not measured, its size was estimated at greater than 548.6 cm (18 ft) TL. The fresh rolled out skin measured 543.6 cm (17 ft 10 in) TL, however according to Mcllhenny approximately 4 inches of skin was missing from the tip of the tail and another 4 inches was missing from the of the tip of the snout, suggesting the actual length of this alligator was approximately 563.9 cm (18 ft 6 in) TL. The skin was tanned and preserved by Mcllhenny but when remeasured was just 541 cm (17 ft 9 in) TL, evidently the process of drying the skin had caused it to shrink somewhat. A photo of the laid out skin was published by Mcllhenny and does appear to verify the reported size of this alligator.

Largest alligator skull:

According to Barbour (1933) the largest American alligator skull measured 64 cm DCL (dorsal cranial length). The alligator this skull belonged to was reportedly killed in the St. Sebastian River, Florida in 1893 according to Cory (1896), although the year of collection was reported as 1888 by Barbour. This enormous alligator reportedly measured 487.7 cm (just over 16 ft) TL (Cory, 1896). The skull was purchased by Mr. W. V. Rhoads. Barbour claims that in late March 1933 the skull was donated to the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Massachusetts by Mr. H. C. Eyer, who was the possessor of the skull at the time. Woodward et al. (1995) estimated the TL of this specimen at just 453.6 cm, based on the reported DCL, however this is most likely an underestimate for such a large skull.

Large unverified specimens:

On the 14th of September 2012, Mike Cottingham, a taxidermist and alligator hunter, netted a large male American alligator in Arkansas. The beast was later measured by Mike Harris, a wildlife technician, at 403.9 cm (13 ft 3 in) TL. Using a truck scale, the alligator’s total body weight was taken as 626 kg (1,380 lb). The severed head alone reportedly weighed over 90.7 kg (200 lb). Inside the alligator’s stomach the intact body of a smaller alligator was discovered. This could potentially be the heaviest American alligator recorded, however it’s likely the stomach contents added to its total weight. This specimen has not yet been mentioned in the scientific literature and has only been reported by online media.

Guggisberg (1972) reports that a stuffed specimen exhibited at the Cotton Centennial in New Orleans measured 490 cm TL. Unfortunately, no other information is available for this specimen and do it is unclear if the reported dimensions are accurate. Neil (1971) described measuring a large male alligator caught in 1965 at Lake Apopka, Florida. This alligator reportedly measured 530.9 cm (17 ft 5 in) TL and possessed a DCL of 59.4 cm (23.5 in) and a total head length of 73 cm (28.25 in), measured from the tip of the snout to the posterior margin of the mandible. If the reported TL were correct then the TL to DCL ratio for this specimen would be 1:8.94, which is much greater than the TL to DCL of other large specimens. Woodward et al. (1995) estimated the TL of this specimen at just 422 cm, based on the reported DCL.

Mcllhenny (1935) mentions a large alligator that was caught alive in 1886 on Avery Island and given to Mr. John Avery. The alligator was meant to be transported North to Philadelphia by boat, as requested by Smithsonian Insinuation. However, unfortunately the alligator died during the voyage and was thrown overboard. Reportedly this alligator measured 525.8 cm (17 ft 3 in) TL. Mcllhenny (1935) also described three other large American alligators that all reportedly exceeded 548.6 cm (18 ft) in TL. The first was killed by Mr. Robert Moony in 1879 on Avery Island, Louisiana. This alligator, which was referred to as “Monsurat,” reportedly measured 556.3 cm (18 ft 6 in) TL. The second alligator was killed by Mr. Robert Dell in 1882 on Avery Island. This beast, which required a four-mule team wagon to transport, measured 562.6 cm (18 ft 5.5 in) TL.

The third and largest alligator was killed by Mr. Mcllhenny on the 2nd of January 1890 in a bayou near Vermilion Bay, southern Louisiana. This alligator was reportedly so large and heavy that even when aided by two companions, Mcllhenny was unable to move the body out of the muddy bayou to be measured. Mcllhenny resorted to measuring the alligator with the 76.2 cm (30 in) long barrel of his rifle. Using the barrel of his rifle as a ruler and a hunting knife to mark each time the barrel stopped Mcllhenny found the length of this beast to be 584.2 cm (19 ft 2 in) TL. However, several authors have since pointed out that because no physical remains exist of this specimen, it is impossible to authenticate its reported size (Woodward et al., 1995) (Brunell et al., 2013). Because no other verified specimens approach the reported size of the one described by Mcllhenny, it is more than likely that the enormous size of this alligator was greatly embellished.

References:

1. Barbour, T. (1933). “A Large Alligator Skull.” Copeia, 133: 43.
2. Brunell, A. M., Delaney, J. P., Spratt, R. G., Carbonneau, D. A., Waller, J. E. (2013). “Record Total Lengths of the American Alligator in Florida.” Southeastern Naturalist, 12: 9-17.
3. Brunell, A. M., Rainwater, T. R., Sievering, M., Platt, S. G. (2015). “A New Record for the Maximum Length of the American Alligator.” Southeastern Naturalist, 14(3): 38-43.
4. Cory, C. B. (1896). “Hunting and Fishing in Florida.” Estes and Lauriat.
5. CrocBITE: World Wide Crocodilian attack Database. (2020). www.crocodile-attack.info/data…
6. Guggisberg, C. A. W. (1972). “Crocodiles: Their Natural History, Folklore and Conservation.” Stackpole Books.
7. Mcllhenny, E. A. (1935). “The Alligator’s Life History.” Christopher Publishing House.
8. Neil, W. T. (1971). “The Last of the Ruling Reptiles: Alligators, Crocodiles, and Their Kin.” Columbia University Press.
9. Steven, H. (2012). “Photos: 13-Foot Alligator Is New Arkansas State Record.” Field & Steam.
10. Woodward, A. R., White, J. H., Linda, S. B. (1995). “Maximum size of the alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).” Journal of Herpetology, 29(4): 507-513.

Description

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a large species of alligatoroid crocodilian that is endemic to the southern United States. Like most crocodilians the American alligator is a powerful and potentially dangerous and aggressive animal, more than capable of attacking and killing an adult human. Although attacks on humans are rare, they do occur, 37 fatal attacks by have been recorded since the 1700s (as of June 2020) according to CrocBITE. Unfortunately it appears fatal alligator attacks on humans are increasingly in frequency, likely due to human activity and development moving further into alligator habitat and territory.

Largest verified specimen:

The largest verified American alligator was a specimen that was harvested on the 16th of August 2014 by Mandy Stokes from the Alabama River, Wilcox County, Alabama. The entire animal was later preserved and mounted and is currently on display at the Montgomery Zoo and Mann wildlife Learning Museum, Florida. This alligator measured 450 cm TL (total length) and possessed a HL (head length) of 61 cm, yielding a TL to HL ratio of 1:7.38. The entire body weight was recorded as 458 kg (Brunell et al., 2015). The previous record holder for the largest verified specimen was an alligator harvested on the 1st of November 2010, by Robert Ammerman from the St. Johns River, Brevard County, Florida. This alligator measured 435.5 cm TL and possessed a HL of 59.5 cm, yielding a TL to HL ratio of 1:7.34. The recorded total body weight was 296.5 kg (Brunell, 2013).

The largest specimen with photographic evidence:

A large alligator described by Mcllhenny (1935), was killed by Max Touchit in March 1916 on Marsh Island, Louisiana. Although the freshly killed animal was unfortunately not measured, its size was estimated at greater than 548.6 cm (18 ft) TL. The fresh rolled out skin measured 543.6 cm (17 ft 10 in) TL, however according to Mcllhenny approximately 4 inches of skin was missing from the tip of the tail and another 4 inches was missing from the of the tip of the snout, suggesting the actual length of this alligator was approximately 563.9 cm (18 ft 6 in) TL. The skin was tanned and preserved by Mcllhenny but when remeasured was just 541 cm (17 ft 9 in) TL, evidently the process of drying the skin had caused it to shrink somewhat. A photo of the laid out skin was published by Mcllhenny and does appear to verify the reported size of this alligator.

Largest alligator skull:

According to Barbour (1933) the largest American alligator skull measured 64 cm DCL (dorsal cranial length). The alligator this skull belonged to was reportedly killed in the St. Sebastian River, Florida in 1893 according to Cory (1896), although the year of collection was reported as 1888 by Barbour. This enormous alligator reportedly measured 487.7 cm (just over 16 ft) TL (Cory, 1896). The skull was purchased by Mr. W. V. Rhoads. Barbour claims that in late March 1933 the skull was donated to the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Massachusetts by Mr. H. C. Eyer, who was the possessor of the skull at the time. Woodward et al. (1995) estimated the TL of this specimen at just 453.6 cm, based on the reported DCL, however this is most likely an underestimate for such a large skull.

Large unverified specimens:

On the 14th of September 2012, Mike Cottingham, a taxidermist and alligator hunter, netted a large male American alligator in Arkansas. The beast was later measured by Mike Harris, a wildlife technician, at 403.9 cm (13 ft 3 in) TL. Using a truck scale, the alligator’s total body weight was taken as 626 kg (1,380 lb). The severed head alone reportedly weighed over 90.7 kg (200 lb). Inside the alligator’s stomach the intact body of a smaller alligator was discovered. This could potentially be the heaviest American alligator recorded, however it’s likely the stomach contents added to its total weight. This specimen has not yet been mentioned in the scientific literature and has only been reported by online media.

Guggisberg (1972) reports that a stuffed specimen exhibited at the Cotton Centennial in New Orleans measured 490 cm TL. Unfortunately, no other information is available for this specimen and do it is unclear if the reported dimensions are accurate. Neil (1971) described measuring a large male alligator caught in 1965 at Lake Apopka, Florida. This alligator reportedly measured 530.9 cm (17 ft 5 in) TL and possessed a DCL of 59.4 cm (23.5 in) and a total head length of 73 cm (28.25 in), measured from the tip of the snout to the posterior margin of the mandible. If the reported TL were correct then the TL to DCL ratio for this specimen would be 1:8.94, which is much greater than the TL to DCL of other large specimens. Woodward et al. (1995) estimated the TL of this specimen at just 422 cm, based on the reported DCL.

Mcllhenny (1935) mentions a large alligator that was caught alive in 1886 on Avery Island and given to Mr. John Avery. The alligator was meant to be transported North to Philadelphia by boat, as requested by Smithsonian Insinuation. However, unfortunately the alligator died during the voyage and was thrown overboard. Reportedly this alligator measured 525.8 cm (17 ft 3 in) TL. Mcllhenny (1935) also described three other large American alligators that all reportedly exceeded 548.6 cm (18 ft) in TL. The first was killed by Mr. Robert Moony in 1879 on Avery Island, Louisiana. This alligator, which was referred to as “Monsurat,” reportedly measured 556.3 cm (18 ft 6 in) TL. The second alligator was killed by Mr. Robert Dell in 1882 on Avery Island. This beast, which required a four-mule team wagon to transport, measured 562.6 cm (18 ft 5.5 in) TL.

The third and largest alligator was killed by Mr. Mcllhenny on the 2nd of January 1890 in a bayou near Vermilion Bay, southern Louisiana. This alligator was reportedly so large and heavy that even when aided by two companions, Mcllhenny was unable to move the body out of the muddy bayou to be measured. Mcllhenny resorted to measuring the alligator with the 76.2 cm (30 in) long barrel of his rifle. Using the barrel of his rifle as a ruler and a hunting knife to mark each time the barrel stopped Mcllhenny found the length of this beast to be 584.2 cm (19 ft 2 in) TL. However, several authors have since pointed out that because no physical remains exist of this specimen, it is impossible to authenticate its reported size (Woodward et al., 1995) (Brunell et al., 2013). Because no other verified specimens approach the reported size of the one described by Mcllhenny, it is more than likely that the enormous size of this alligator was greatly embellished.

References:

1. Barbour, T. (1933). “A Large Alligator Skull.” Copeia, 133: 43.
2. Brunell, A. M., Delaney, J. P., Spratt, R. G., Carbonneau, D. A., Waller, J. E. (2013). “Record Total Lengths of the American Alligator in Florida.” Southeastern Naturalist, 12: 9-17.
3. Brunell, A. M., Rainwater, T. R., Sievering, M., Platt, S. G. (2015). “A New Record for the Maximum Length of the American Alligator.” Southeastern Naturalist, 14(3): 38-43.
4. Cory, C. B. (1896). “Hunting and Fishing in Florida.” Estes and Lauriat.
5. CrocBITE: World Wide Crocodilian attack Database. (2020). www.crocodile-attack.info/data…
6. Guggisberg, C. A. W. (1972). “Crocodiles: Their Natural History, Folklore and Conservation.” Stackpole Books.
7. Mcllhenny, E. A. (1935). “The Alligator’s Life History.” Christopher Publishing House.
8. Neil, W. T. (1971). “The Last of the Ruling Reptiles: Alligators, Crocodiles, and Their Kin.” Columbia University Press.
9. Steven, H. (2012). “Photos: 13-Foot Alligator Is New Arkansas State Record.” Field & Steam.
10. Woodward, A. R., White, J. H., Linda, S. B. (1995). “Maximum size of the alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).” Journal of Herpetology, 29(4): 507-513.