All About Alligators – Episode One

This episode features interviews with Jeb Linscombe with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, St. Mary Parish Alligator Nuisance Trapper Ryan Smith, and owner of Cocodri, Mary Tutwiler.

Listen on Apple…

Listen on Google…

Listen on Spotify…

Spotify Playlist!

For more information about alligators in Louisiana:

• Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Alligator Hunting, Research and Management Program
• Reporting a nuisance alligator
• High fashion genuine alligator accessories available at Cocodri.com

Get in touch at coastalconnectionpodcast@gmail.com, and find us on Instagram @coastal__connection and Twitter @coastal_podcast!

Wildlife of the Wetlands

Known as living dinosaurs, alligators first appeared on Earth approximately 37 million years ago. Although there are two species of alligator, the American Alligator and the Chinese Alligator, it is the American Alligator, the largest reptile in the United States, that inhabits Louisiana as the state reptile.

Alligators of Louisiana call the coastal wetlands their home. A predator in the wetland ecosystem, alligators assist in population control; however, alligators also support diversity and shelter of other species in the environment. During nest construction, alligators dig burrows with their tails resulting in the creation of peat- a boggy type of soil- which often facilitates plant growth.  Furthermore, the burrows become ‘alligator holes’, or wetland depressions,  which become a home or breeding area to many species other than alligators during dry periods. Alligators are considered a keystone species in the coastal wetlands environment; without alligators, the diversity and productivity of coastal wetlands would decrease.

Source