Reptiles in Louisiana
Alligators, Snakes, and Turtles
There are three main types of reptiles that live throughout the landscape that Louisiana has to offer. Alligators, turtles, and snakes are known to use their unique skin to blend into places without people or their prey knowing. These reptiles have learned to use their environment to their advantages. It just so happens the environment that suits them is Louisiana's wetlands. Have you noticed them before?
Alligators
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This is an image of two American alligators in their natural habitat. Fun fact: alligators can weigh up to 1,000. The one of the largest alligators ever recorded was 15'9 and weighed in at 1,011.5 pounds.
There is only one type of alligator that is native to Louisiana, the American Alligator.
- Habitat: Alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in warm climates, they are most common in Louisiana's coastal marshes. There is almost 4.5 million acres of alligator habitat available in Louisiana. I've even found them in my backyard before!
- Diet: Small and baby gators eat insect then advance to crustations, small birds and more. As alligators continue to get bigger, their diet continues to expand and can include even larger animals such as muskrats, nutria, beavers, raccoons, birds, fish, snakes, turtles, and deer. They can basically eat anything that can't eat them first!
- Human Interactions: Although there are many alligators, attacks are kind of rare. People do hunt alligators but have to tag them, tags are about 50 dollars each and you need a special permit.
Alligator Farms (locations provided by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries)
This map shows eleven alligator farms/ranches across Louisiana. Most of these farms are located in southern Louisiana because there are more areas where the gators are strongly populated. The farms in the northern parts are in areas with fewer alligators. The purpose of these farms is to breed alligators for people to see and to make meat and skins out of them.
Snakes
This is a common water moccasin/cotton mouth. Fun fact: they release a stinky smell almost like body odor when they are threatened.
There are 44 snakes that are home to Louisiana, but only 6 of these snakes are venomous.
- Habitat: Most snakes like the swampy waters that Louisiana has to offer, but some like to go in grass-filled fields.
- Diet: Snakes' diets mostly consist of small rodents, eggs, and baby birds. While the smaller snakes eat more bugs and insects.
- Human Interactions: Many people choose not to mess with snakes because they are scared. People of south Louisiana mostly see garden snakes, king snakes, common water snakes, and cottonmouths.
Comparison of Venomous (left) and Non-Venomous (right) Snakes per State
This map shows the number of non-venomous snakes per state on the right, in pink and purple colors. It also shows the number of venomous snakes on the left side, in red and orange. If you click on the button with the four lines, it will show what colors equal how many venomous and non-venomous snakes. As you can see, the top of the map has less snakes in general. This is because it colder in the north, snakes are cold blooded, so they need warm climates. The south has more snakes because the temperatures are warm and humid.
Turtles
This is a Red-Eared Slider, they can be found swimming in Louisiana's waterways. Fun fact: this turtle swam into my brother's crab trap, so we freed it, and got to take a picture.
There are 26 types of turtles in Louisiana including box, snapping, cooters and more. 20 of these turtles are native species, while the other six are invasive.
- Habitat: Some of these turtles like coastal areas and rivers while others like swamps and bogs.
- Diet: Some turtles like to eat more of plants and berries, but other turtles eat insects, worms, and fish.
- Human Interactions: People often try to trap turtles. Trapping certain turtle species, trapping in nesting areas, destroying natural habitats, and using gas to push turtles out of hiding spots are all prohibited.
There are five species of sea turtle that are found in and around the waters of Louisiana. These turtles migrate from all over.
Conclusion
As you can see, alligators, snakes, and turtles are all amazing creatures that live in Louisiana. These animals are a vital part of our ecosystem. Alligators, snakes, turtles all are cold blooded, which means they need to stay in warm temperatures to survive. This makes Louisiana the perfect environment for alligators, snakes, turtles, and me! Remember, if you ever do encounter one of our state's reptiles, make sure to keep your distance!