Here in Florida, we have some outstanding wildlife you can see while on the trails. American alligators – my favorite wild animals – are prevalent throughout the state and are incredibly interesting to observe. They really have some cool behavioral signals, which are particularly obvious during spring and early summer when they are courting and mating. While American alligators court and mate, there’s bellowing, growling, chasing, and more involved. It can be quite entertaining to watch!
The Pursuit
On a beautiful May morning, we spotted a large male gator chasing after a potential mate.
The male swam after the female for quite some time despite the female not offering any indication she was interested.
Eventually, the female growled at the male and soon after positioned herself under some fallen trees and branches under the water.
The male perched himself nearby and waited for a couple of minutes before deciding to swim away. It seemed like between the growl and the female literally hiding herself from him, the male alligator took the hint.
Where to Find Alligators Around Tampa Bay
Alligators can be spotted all around Florida, including the greater Tampa Bay area. To get some tips of where to see them, feel free to check out my blog post: Best Places to Spot Alligators Around the Tampa Area.
Safety Around Alligators During Courting & Mating Season
Like when around any other type of wildlife, it’s important you take some safety precautions when around alligators. Don’t ever feed them or attempt to touch them. Additionally, it’s important to give them their space. This is especially true during courting and mating season when they are moving about quite a bit and tend to be more territorial. They’ve got love on their minds, so don’t get in their way. Remember: American alligators are almost always uninterested in humans and have a healthy fear of us. Let’s all do our best to keep it that way by respecting them and following the suggestions I made above.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or want to chat about alligators, feel free to comment below or email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com. Feel free to also connect with me on Instagram.
Emily Keen Photography 