American Alligator Fripp Island is known for its abundance of wildlife, and as we get closer and closer to summer, more wildlife has begun to stir.
As the temperature warms, the prehistoric predators that roam Fripp begin to come out of brumation. Brumation is a period similar to hibernation in mammals, where reptiles show minimal activity and stop eating for the colder months. The American Alligator exits brumation at the end of February, and begins courtship in early April. For the American Alligator, sexual maturity is reached based on their size rather than their age. This typically occurs once they reach six to eight feet long. This may take females ten to fifteen years, and males it may take eight to twelve years. Once they have reached the right size, they can begin courting. Males partake in what many call a “water dance”. They take in a large gulp of air, raise their head out of the water, arch their tail, and bellow. This produces a sound wave that makes the water dance around his torso.
Spring Vol II 2022
| 56
