Acadiane' Expeditions' Ltd.- South Louisiana Wild Guided Alligator Hunts

Mature female alligators move from interior marshes to open deep-water areas during the spring to mate. Immature alligators and mature male alligators tend to remain in these open deep-water area year around. After mating, females return to the interior marsh in search of isolated ponds. These areas usually have dense vegetation adjacent to the isolated ponds, which will be used for nest construction. Female alligators generally build their nests by pulling vegetation together forming a mound. This mound nest will be 2' – 4' high and 4' – 8' in diameter. The female alligator makes a cavity by opening the nest and lays 20-50 eggs (averaging 35 eggs). After all the eggs have been laid, the female covers the cavity containing the eggs with vegetation from the nest. The nest vegetation maintains suitable temperature and humidity, which incubates the eggs. The female will remain near the nest during incubation and must open the nest to help the young alligators (hatchling) exit the nest. Approximately 65 days after the eggs have been laid; the young will begin hatching and calling. Upon hearing the calls of the young, the female alligator will help them exit the nest by opening the top of the nest. The young may stay near the nest site for a couple of years. During the winter alligators will enter underground holes and remain dormant. As spring arrives, alligators emerge from winter dormancy and the annual processes (mating, nesting, wither dormancy, etc.) begin again.