Alligator mating season takes place in the

spring and nest building starts around the month

of June.  The mother alligator protects her nest

from would-be predators such as raccoons and

opossums.  Any infestation of fire ants spells

imminent disaster for the young.  The eggs will

be fine until hatching.  Not only is the mother

keeping an eye out for predators, she is also

listening for chirping calls from the nest which is

her signal the babies are ready to hatch.  (The

babies will later use this chirping call as a

distress signal to the mother.)  The mother

alligator will carefully dig through the nest

helping the babies free themselves from the debris.  With the use of an egg tooth, most of the

babies are capable of hatching on their own.  Others will receive help from Mom.  Hatching

takes place in a matter of hours, often under the cover of night.  A mother alligator cannot

afford to try and keep an eye on the nest and several active hatchlings.

Alligators lay an average of 45 eggs.  About 1/3 of those hatch, and approximately one

alligator from each nest will grow to adulthood.  Although the mother will keep a close eye on

her young most will get eaten by bullfrogs, fish and wading birds, just to name a few. 

Imagine if all the eggs hatched successfully and grew to adults.  We’d be up to our knees in

alligators!  But with nature’s system, we have perfect balance.  One could fairly say that

alligators start their lives at the bottom of the food chain and those lucky enough to survive to

adulthood will take their rightful place at the top of the food chain.