Alligators have the strongest laboratory-measured bite of any animal--equivalent to the force of a medium sized sedan falling on someone. Edmund concurs, citing a friend in college who jokingly stuck his fist into the jaws of a young alligator. That youngster clamped down, and it took several strapping young men to free Edmund's friend's fist.

Alligator on Avery Island.

Scientists think the Alligator species has been in existence for 150 million years--a long time considering the dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago. In 1967, American Alligators were themselves facing extinction. Their complete recovery by 1987 is a tribute to excellent management by state and federal wildlife agencies. On Avery Island we have actively managed the American Alligator population by collecting eggs and releasing approximately 20 percent of the offspring back into their natural habitat. (Source: McIlhenny Company) This photo appears on on the website www.TABASCO.com, and can be downloaded there at no charge.

Alligator

Avery Island Alligator at Sugar Mill Hill Pond

Alligator on Avery Island.

Alligator patrolling at Bird City in Avery Island's Jungle Gardens.

Alligator patrolling at Bird City in Avery Island's Jungle Gardens.

This young American Alligator is enjoying the sun in a patch of clover on the banks of a lagoon in Jungle Gardens. It is resting with its mouth open to let excess heat escape, thereby helping regulate its body temperature.

Avery Island Alligator in very unusal light.

Apotted Alligator on Avery Island.

Spotted Alligator on Avery Island.

Spotted Alligator on Avery Island.

Spotted Alligator on Avery Island.

Why you should always practice social distancing around Alligators--they can stand up in the water without touching hte bottom.

Alligator launching out of the water through the force of its tail.

Alligator "gaping" with its mouth open to release heat from its body.

Strange bedrellows: a Turtle and an Alligator sunning together on a log.

Alligator sunning solo on Avery Island.

An Alligator napping on Avery Island.

An Avery Island Alligator sunning on the bank of a swamp.

Avery Island Alligator sunning on a hot summer afternoon.

Alligator lurking on Avery Island.

It was harder for this Avery Island Alligator to lurk in the swamp after Hurricane Laura blew all the swamp cover away.

Two pals enjoying our fall sunshine.

Two Alligators sharing the best sunning spot in the swamp.

Up close and personal with this Avery Island Alligator--looking through a 600mm lens!