Biologically, alligators are an integral part of our balanced environment. Young alligators are a food source for larger predators. As a predatory adult, the alligator helps to maintain healthy animal populations by preying on the weaker, older or less fit individuals of a species. Additionally, “gator holes” (the depressions around the dens) can provide shelter, food and water to various aquatic animals, particularly in times of drought.

Alligators have become almost synonymous with Florida. Until recently, the American Alligator was placed on the Threatened Species List. The species decline began in the late 1800’s when belly skin became commercially popular - over 10 million alligators were killed in the United States between 1870 and 1960. Carefully established laws protecting them have allowed a remarkable recovery. Their current number one enemy is habitat destruction. If not provoked, alligators can co-exist with humans. The danger arises when people feed them, thus causing these powerful predators to lose their fear of man as well as to associate man with food. At the very least, these individual alligators become “nuisances,” but more seriously may become life threatening. They must consequently be destroyed (1978, Nuisance Alligator Control Program). In an effort to prevent alligators from becoming nuisances that must be killed, state law prohibits feeding them. Alligators are best left alone and respected for what they are, a native wild animal.