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Alligators (Alligator sp.)
Alligators (Alligator sp.)
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Alligators (Alligator sp.)
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The thread inspiration came from this
http://metro.co.uk/2016/04/06/farmer-cat...w-5798593/ It's a real pic but forced perspective imo  *This image is copyright of its original author Impressive nonetheless Eat ya later, alligator! Smaller reptile falls prey to bigger rival who rips it apart in powerful jaws
Published: 09:38, 7 November 2013 | Updated: 10:20, 7 November 2013 Dramatic pictures show the moment a huge alligator overpowers a smaller member of its own species. Snapped by Lauren Hansen, 27, the pictures show the sheer force of the bigger alligator's jaws as it thrashes the smaller opponent around in an attempt to rip it apart. Lauren, a dive operations specialist and keen wildlife photographer, took the pictures while walking through Brazos Bend State Park, Texas.  *This image is copyright of its original author Powerful: These are the dramatic images of an alligator viciously battling a member of its own species  *This image is copyright of its original author Brutal: The stunning images show an alligator pounce on a smaller creature then rip it apart in its powerful jaws  *This image is copyright of its original author Thrashing: Lauren said she found the victorious gator with the smaller opponent in its mouth, splashing around in the water in an attempt break some meat from the smaller gator  *This image is copyright of its original author Photographer: Lauren, from Bayou Vista in Texas, took the pictures as she visited the Brazos Bend State Park She said that she found the victorious gator with the smaller opponent in its mouth, splashing around in the water in an attempt break some meat from the smaller gator. Lauren, from Bayou Vista in Texas, said: 'As I was walking on one of the trails at the state park, some movement in the water to my left caught my attention. 'At this moment the adult alligator seemed to be at rest, occasionally moving its head to situate the carcass in its jaws. I took a few pictures, and decided I would leave the alligator to its meal. 'As I started to walk away the alligator moved toward the bank, raised high on its front legs, and began thrashing the juvenile side to side. 'It was apparent that the alligator was trying to rip the juvenile into smaller pieces. I was amazed by the speed and power of the animal, so I pulled my camera back out and started taking photographs. 'I watched this happen over and over again for three hours. The large alligator would rest for fifteen minutes between each thrashing of the carcass. I couldn't take my eyes off of what was happening, and the alligator didn't seem to notice my presence.' Lauren approached a park volunteer to ask them why the alligator had behaved like that. 'The volunteer said that when the water levels drop, the alligators become very territorial.' She added, 'They defend their territories to the death, and alligators are known to be cannibalistic. 'I was surprised by the pictures - I love how they show the incredible strength and speed that alligators possess. Everyone that has seen the pictures has been shocked. Mostly because they did not know that alligators behaved in this way. I love alligators, and I think that they are very important and impressive predators.'  *This image is copyright of its original author Mesemerised: Lauren said she watched the two battle for three hours  *This image is copyright of its original author Victorious: The larger alligator quickly overpowered the smaller member of its species and it met a grisly end  *This image is copyright of its original author Victorious: A park ranger said the animal was defending its territory as the water levels had decreased 
Gold Alligator, credits to Gatorland Orlando.
 *This image is copyright of its original author
 (04-23-2016, 06:14 PM)SVTIGRIS Wrote: The thread inspiration came from this Amazing photo! Tony 
Sexual Maturity in Male American Alligators in Southwest Louisiana
Abstract Very little is known about the attainment of puberty in reptiles. In the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) males are assumed to be sexually mature at about 1.8 m in total length, but it is not clear at what size they produce testosterone, spermatozoa and mate successfully. We re-examined this question by studying plasma testosterone levels in blood samples from a large sample of alligators (~1,500) collected every month of the year and ranging in size from approximately 61 cm (2 ft) to 360 cm (11.5 ft). Testosterone values ranged from 0.05–115.41 ng/mL. All size classes of alligators exhibited a seasonal cycle in testosterone levels, but the concentrations were size-dependent: the larger the alligator the higher the testosterone. In all size-classes testosterone reached a peak in the breeding season (March–May). Mean testosterone in the largest size-class during breeding was 75 ng/mL whereas in the smallest size-class peak testosterone was less than 3 ng/mL. The smallest size-class (59–89 cm) showed an additional rise in testosterone in late summer. The attainment of sexual maturity in alligators appears to be closely associated with growth and is a gradual process lasting several years. Sexually immature alligators show a seasonal pattern of testosterone secretion similar to that of adults, but the values are significantly lower.  *This image is copyright of its original author Link to paper Some predatory feats from McIlHenny(1935)  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Predation on a three year old cow, the discovery of three pigs in the stomach of one alligator, and predation on a deer  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author A further note on predation of hogs by alligator, as well as domestic poultry  *This image is copyright of its original author
Posted this in the cougar information profile but this fits here as well
Quote:The Mcbride's observations posted on pages prior report a 2.6m alligator, which would definitely be a mature animal. However they aren't particularly heavy say, in comparison with a twelve foot male. To show what a male alligator of the predated animals length would weigh, I present the weights recorded in Joanen & Mcnease(1972):  *This image is copyright of its original author What's more is this is the largest alligator ever recorded to have been killed by a florida panther -- the abstract from the McBrides demonstrates this rather efficiently as we see the alligators that have been recorded as prey for this feline are not even adult individuals, having not reached sexual maturity(Alligators do so at ~1.8m in total body length). Now mind you the weights from Joanen and Mcnease are of male alligators as i don't know if they actually sexed the deceased alligator or not, but i've operated under the assumption it was a male -- if it was a female it would likely weigh less than what i've shown above. This predation event on the 2.6m individual is pretty fascinating and indeed impressive, but its far from a "large" alligator, despite the name of the article.
They grow 'em in Texas
Record breaking gator caught in Liberty County  *This image is copyright of its original author "BEAUMONT - A Texas state record breaking alligator was caught Wednesday morning in Liberty County. Gary Saurage and his crew from Gator Country, in Beaumont, TX, were called in to capture the huge gator from Champion Lake north of Wallisville and Interstate Ten in South Liberty County. Saurage announced Thursday he would name it "Big Tex." The record breaking reptile, which measured 13 feet, eight inches long and more than 900 pounds, was brought back to Gator Country where it will be given a new home. Saurage confirmed with Texas Parks and Wildlife that the gator is the largest ever caught in Texas. "And they let me know by record they don't see anything that's even been within 5 inches of this as for as being caught live. And uh that makes me feel proud. I've been looking for this gator for a really long time. This is without a doubt the highlight of my career," Saurage told 12News. After 6 hours out on champion lake in Liberty County, the gator country crew hauled in this gigantic monster. The gator is a state record length of 13 feet and 8 and a half inches, weighing in at 900 pounds. Gary Saurage is overwhelmed that gator country is the beast's new home. "There's no question this is the highlight of my career, this is a really big alligator," Saurage said about his team’s accomplishment. The alligator has not always been this calm. Stuart Marcus with the National Wildlife Refuge says the gator has been a nuisance in the lake. He believes it's a reminder that grappling with alligators is a job for professionals. “We would much rather have him back in the wild but because of safety issues we had to move him, but if anything, don't ever feed alligators, if you see one, stay at least 50 or 75 feet away from them," Marcus noted. This record size gator for the state of Texas got too used to humans. But now that he has a new home in Gator Country, Saurage believes he'll be a lot better off. "He's not going to be a dead alligator he's going to be a live alligator here so we can educate people and show people what they're like. And this is a magnificent beast, now people from all over the world will come and see even one that's bigger than Big Al, finally," Saurage said. Two apex alligators, the two largest in the state are now swimming calmly right here in Southeast Texas. Saurage says he plans to build a new pond for the alligator so he won’t invade Big Al’s space. Saurage will offer four lifetime passes to Gator Country to the family of who picks the alligator’s name." http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/record-breaking-gator-caught-in-liberty-county/334970639
~13ft alligator eats a ~10ft python
 *This image is copyright of its original author
  (01-17-2017, 12:34 AM)Ngala Wrote: From ABC News: That is one big gator. Like the way he so leisurely struts. Many years back, when I lived in Fla, I had a gator (illegally of course) as house guest for a while. Stayed in my bathtub, and ate lizards. I had a number of neighborhood kids providing the lizards for a nominal fee. Eventually Al - as I named him - had to go. He was growing rather quickly and needed his proper space. I retired him to a nearby lake, where - hopefully - he still resides. Not much in the personality department, he was quite the novelty item.
Meet 'Pearl,' the rare albino alligator at Gatorland
 *This image is copyright of its original author "ORLANDO, Fla. - There are only just over a dozen albino alligators in the world and one of them, a rare albino alligator named "Pearl," lives at Gatorland in Orlando. Pearl is about 10-years-old, 7 1/2 feet long and 105 pounds. The complete absence of pigmentation gives her the pearly white skin and white eyes. She arrived at the park when she was about three-years-old. Video posted on Instagram shows her eagerly waiting for food from the trainers who have worked with her for years Pearl is the only albino alligator at the theme park. Gatorland has been around since 1949 and is a 100-acre park where visitors can not only visit Pearl, they can ride a train, see thousands of alligators and crocodiles, catch Gator Wrestlin' shows, have Up-Close Encounters, and ride the zip line." http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/whats-hot/231927768-story |
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