Image Courtesy of Tour Daufuskie
About the author – Neil is a longtime island resident, partner, and master captain with Hilton Head Boat Charters. Their service specializes in private tours like – Hilton Head Dolphin Cruise, Hilton Head Sunset Cruise, Savannah Cruise, Custom 4 and 6-hour tours, and the occasional Hilton Head Bachelorette party cruise😊
Hilton Head Island is a popular vacation destination known for its beautiful beaches, lush golf courses, and world-class restaurants. But did you know that Hilton Head also has a thriving alligator population? That’s right – American alligators live in the marshes and rivers of this coastal paradise! In fact, spotting alligators out in their natural habitat is one of the most popular things to do in Hilton Head for vacationing families. In this blog post, we will explore what makes the area attractive to these ancient reptiles and how locals coexist with them safely. So, if you’re planning a trip to Hilton Head soon, read on to learn more about the local wildlife!
The coastal waters surrounding Hilton Head Island are a perfect habitat for these giant reptiles. Alligators can be found along the marshy banks of Rivers, streams, and lagoons that make up the area’s inter-coastal waterways. These areas provide plenty of food sources, such as fish, birds, and small mammals, making them ideal alligator habitats. The warmer climate also helps to increase the population as alligators prefer temperatures between 75 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have visited the island before, you know that even ocean water temperatures hover at that temperature from mid-spring to mid-fall.
We often get this question on our Hilton Head Boat Tours – Are there alligators in this water? The quick answer is yes! Alligators are typically found in freshwater habitats, but some species can tolerate and even thrive in brackish or saltwater. American alligators, which inhabit the coastal waters surrounding Hilton Head Island, have been known to live in both freshwater and brackish estuaries. Their unique physiology allows them to regulate their internal salt balance. They have glands near their eyes that excrete excess salt from the body. This means they can survive in environments with higher salinity than other reptiles. That being said, we don’t see a ton of alligators out in the open water when we are on our Hilton Head Dolphin Tours.
Interesting Alligator Facts:
- Did you know there are estimated to be over 500 American Alligators in Hilton Head? There are only a few Canadian alligators, though (we kid, of course).
- Alligators can live up to be up 60 – 80 years! In Mississippi in 2022, somebody caught an alligator they believed was over 100 years old.
- American alligators have existed for over 200 million years! Bet you didn’t know that turtles and tortoises have been around longer.
- Alligators can weigh more than 1,000 pounds and grow between 8 and 11 feet on average.
- How fast can they run? The fastest maximum speed they can hit is 11 mph, and they are much faster on land than in the water – where they have a top speed of about 3 mph.
- Their eyes glow in the dark – if you catch their eyes with a flashlight – they have a red glow. The further the eyes are apart, the larger the alligator.
- Those are some nice choppers! Alligators can have up to 75 teeth at one time – but over their lifespan, they can go through over 3000!
- Can alligators sleep underwater? The answer is yes, but only for about 20 minutes max. They usually “sleep” in the water with just their snouts above the water.
- If I run Zig–Zag, can I outrun an alligator? Well, first, let’s not even try ever put ourselves in a position where we need to outrun an alligator, ok? But if you find yourself in that situation, don’t run Zig Zag; it only cuts down the space from the alligator to you. Run in a straight line as fast as possible because the average human can run faster than the average alligator.
Now that we have covered some interesting facts about alligators – we should talk about general safety around alligators. Because we have so many alligators here on the island – there is a potential danger for any humans that interact with them. That’s why we locals follow some simple safety practices when we are in areas where there may be alligators present:
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- If there’s water, there are alligators – Sure, it’s a wild oversimplification, but it’s a good rule of thumb. Two summers ago, a big old gator was hanging out at the bottom of the deep end of our community pool. Enough said! This is the guy right here – post-dip and at the base of our walkway to the pool. Now you don’t have to worry about puddles or the beach generally – but I will say this – I’ll never get in a pool without looking. Two summers ago – there was a big old gator hanging out in the bottom of the deep end of our community pool. Enough said! This is the guy right here – post dip and at the base of our walkway to the pool.
- Keep your distance – They are wild animals with many teeth. They will likely become aggressive if approached, particularly during mating season (April through June), when males are more territorial. These guys can run fast; their reaction time and twitchy acceleration will have them on you in no time. Trust me, you want to avoid messing around and finding out.
- Keep children and pets away from the water. Children should only enter the water if accompanied by an adult. Pets should be kept on leashes when visiting areas known for their alligator population. Alligators will attack if they feel threatened or perceive a potential food source nearby.
- It seems crazy to even say this, but never feed the alligators! First, it is illegal, and second, it can make them lose their natural fear of humans, which we definitely don’t want.
Hilton Head is a stunning vacation destination, and its alligator population adds to the area’s beauty. So remember the above to ensure a safe experience while exploring Hilton Head’s natural wonders.
