Alligators in Alabama: identification guide and where to start looking

Alligators have a wide, U-shaped snout that is blunt at the end. This is different from the pointed, V-shaped snout of a crocodile. In Alabama, this is the easiest way to know you are looking at an alligator, as crocodiles are not found in the state. I recall seeing one in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta in 2023 and the broad snout was visible even from a distance. Their nostrils at the end of the snout allow them to breathe while mostly submerged, making them masters of the stealthy approach. For more on their features, check ouralligator page.

Adult alligators are usually dark olive, brown, or almost black, which helps them blend into the muddy waters of Alabama swamps. Young alligators are brighter with yellow stripes on their tails and bodies that fade as they get older. These colors provide excellent camouflage against the dark mud and vegetation of the Gulf Coast. If you like their dark and scaly look, you might enjoy somealligator giftsthat show their unique texture and power.

Male alligators can grow up to 13 or 14 feet long, while females are usually smaller, around 8 to 10 feet. You can judge their size by looking at the distance between their eyes and the tip of their snout; every inch usually equals about a foot of total body length. They are a major part of thewildlife in Alabamaand are impressive to see from a safe distance. In the southern river systems, a large alligator can weigh over eight hundred pounds, making it the largest reptile in the state.

Yes, when an alligator's mouth is closed, only the upper teeth are visible over the lower lip. In a crocodile, the large fourth tooth of the lower jaw is visible even when the mouth is shut. Since Alabama only has alligators, you will notice a relatively clean line along the lower jaw when they are resting. This dental arrangement is a key feature of the alligator family and helps distinguish them from their more aggressive cousins found further south.

Alligator tracks are easy to spot because they include a long and heavy tail drag mark between the footprints. The feet have five toes on the front and four on the back, often leaving clear claw marks in the soft Alabama riverbanks. I have seen these trails in the muddy edges of Eufaula and they always indicate a large animal has recently passed through. These tracks are a great way to confirm their presence even if the animal itself is hidden in the reeds.

Look for three points breaking the surface: the snout, the eyes, and the bony ridges of the back. Alligators often float with just these parts visible, looking much like a floating log. In the slow moving waters of the Delta, any log that seems to be moving against the current or has visible eyes is worth a second look. Their ability to remain almost entirely submerged is their primary hunting tactic and makes them very difficult to spot without a keen eye.

During the spring, male alligators make a loud and deep bellowing sound that can be heard from a long distance. It sounds like a low rumble or a distant engine and is used to attract mates and warn off other males. If you are near the water in May or June, listen for these steady and powerful calls. They also hiss when they feel threatened, which is a clear signal to stay back and give them plenty of space.