Are There Alligators in New Orleans?

Yes, there are alligators in New Orleans, as it is part of the state of Louisiana. Florida and Louisiana have the biggest gator population in the US.

Despite this, New Orleans is not swarming with gators. The only place where one can find gators here is in City Park, where it is not unusual for gators to lurk in the waterways and the lagoons.

Are There Crocodiles in New Orleans?

No, there are no crocodiles in New Orleans. There is only one type of crocodile in the United States:the American Crocodile.

The American crocodile lives in Central America, and it has a presence in the Florida Everglades. It is the only place where alligators and crocodiles live together.

The American crocodile is one of the biggest species of crocodilians in the world. It is a threatened species, which means it is close to becoming endangered.

While there are conservation efforts to help these crocodiles flourish, there is another natural problem happening to them. American crocodiles are crossbreeding with Cuban crocodiles.

Crossbreeding can result in the development of new species. However, it can also mark the end of one species. If this crossbreeding continues to happen, one cannot help but wonder whether or not the American crocodiles will go extinct

Related Article: Are There Alligators or Crocodiles in Puerto Rico?

Are There Alligators in the French Quarter in New Orleans?

No, there are no alligators in the French Quarter. Since the French Quarter is close to the Mississippi River, it is possible for one to see an alligator.

There was one hoax story about a terror alligator in the French Quarter. The story claimed that alligators ate a child’s hand and gobbled dogs in the neighborhood. Of course, this story is not true.              

The French Quarter is just beside the Mississippi River. However, the river is not a suitable environment for gators. The gators will do better if they live in swamps and bayous.

From time to time, there were people who spotted gators in the river, but these gators still returned to the marshes.

Related Article: Are There Alligators in Wisconsin?

Could alligators live in New Orleans: why or why not?

Yes, alligators can live in New Orleans, and they do. Alligators are freshwater creatures. New Orleans has rivers, swamps, and many other bodies of water where alligators can thrive.

Because of the presence of swamps in the city, there are many businesses that offer swamp tours in the area, such as the New Orleans Kayak Swamps, Gators and Ghosts, and Swamp Tour New Orleans.

In addition to swamps, there are lagoons in the City Park. If one just will takes enough time to hang around, there will be gators.

Related Article: Is Alligator Considered Seafood?

Are there alligators in zoos in New Orleans?

Yes, there are alligators in zoos in New Orleans. For example, there are two white gators in the Audubon Zoo.

Many years ago, the Audubon Zoo, or Audubon Nature Institute, moved alligators to the Audubon Aquarium. The alligator was a pair that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries found back in 2009.

It took six years for this decision to happen, and these two gators stayed in a private facility. These two white gators were later called Two Spot and Antoine Blanc. The decision to take these two gators happened because the previous gator, also a white one named Spots, died.

Albino alligators are rare. The estimate is that there are only between 100 and 200 of them in the world. Even if one mates a pair of two albinos, there is no guarantee that the genes will get passed on.

Where to see alligators in Louisiana

New Orleans is not exactly a wide habitat for alligators. However, there are more than one million alligators in Louisiana, and its gator population is second only to Florida. There are three main ways to spot alligators in New Orleans: in town, out of town, and the zoo.

In town, one must go to City Park and watch for gators to come around. Out of town, the option is to take a tour from swamp tour companies. Many of these companies offer free pick-up from a customer’s hotel. The last is to go to the Audubon Zoo.

As far as the state is concerned, there are many areas by which one can see gators. Below are some of the most popular:

• Atchafalaya River Basin – this body of water is the biggest freshwater swamp in the country. It is so big that it covers 14 parishes in the state. It has a huge population of gators, and one can also see foxes, beavers, black bears, and otters.
• Honey Island Swamp – the swamp is home to alligators and turtles. There are snakes, birds, and bears. This swamp also made its way to popular culture because it is the setting for the Swamp Monster.
• Lake Martin Beaux Bridge – this place is a cypress preserve. While it is smaller than other swamps, it is easier to access than the others. One can see the alligators by renting a kayak, but then that may not be a good idea.
• Barataria Preserve –this is ahuge area that covers 26,000 acres of swamps and marshes. There are also rivers and forests. One can see gators by merely walking by the riverbank.

For the purpose of safety, one must not venture alone into these places. It is best to travel with a guide. Better yet, one can enjoy the scenery and the sight of gators on a guided tour.

Guided tours have a license from the government, and they know where the gators are. Their boats are safe, which means the guests will not become gator food.

Summary

There are alligators in New Orleans, but one can find them in isolated spots in the city, especially in lagoons in City Park. Other than that, there are no gators in other areas. New Orleans can be an ideal place for alligators, as there are marshes and swamps in the city. While the Mississippi River is a body of freshwater, it is too big and may not be a suitable habitat for gators.