Photo by Eric Horan
If you want to see one of the area’s most intriguing inhabitants, the American alligator, you probably need to go only as far as the nearest fresh water or brackish lagoon.
You’ll see adult alligators that average ten to 14 feet, juveniles two to four feet long, and babies under two feet long.
Don’t get too close, and definitely don’t feed or harass them. Treat them with the respect that they deserve for being, as a species, around for about 65 million years. They are wild creatures, and although they have the potential to act aggressively, they basically want little to do with us. They will avoid contact whenever possible.
Alligators go into a modified form of hibernation (estivation) during the winter, emerging in March when the winter “thaws.” Adult males will then establish their territory and emit loud roars, or “sing,” to attract females who, around June, build nests on the banks of lagoons and other fresh or brackish bodies of water. Females will lay an average of 30 eggs which will hatch in about two months.
You can also take a guided kayak tour into the black waters of the May River.
H2O Nature Center (843-686-5323)
Outside Hilton Head (800-686-6996)
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
To learn of things to do in California and Oregon, try 101things.com
