At the tip of Louisiana, by New Orleans, is the second largest body of saltwater that finds itself inland in the US.
Being that it’s basically like having a slice of the ocean before the actual ocean, means swamps are more likely to pop up.
To any normal person, a significant place to hide in warm temperatures seems to be the perfect equation to make alligators.
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So… Are There Alligators in Lake Pontchartrain?
Yes, as are sharks.
Don’t let that run you off quite yet, though.
It’s actually a positive to even be able to say such a thing.
For a long time, the lake was really in a sad state and not a whole lot would or even could grow in abundance here.
A lot of that came from pollution and an extreme lack of safety precautions.
As early as the 90s, local officials pinpointed this as a problem area and wanted to bring it back to life.
It took years but the quality of the water improved so much that wild and aquatic life found its way to the lake once again.
While that sounds wonderful for natives of Louisiana, alligators also saw the advantages.
It was just before this that alligators were almost hunted to extinction.
It’s particularly disturbing because Americans have seen the extinction of other species in our recent memories.
Gone the way of the dodo is a popular phrase for a reason.
So, Lake Pontchartrain has become something of a safe haven for alligators.
Clean water makes it possible to thrive because of all the other wildlife that comes by.
Alligators may tend to stay away from humans, but they can’t stay away from a reliable food source.
Alligator Species in Lake Pontchartrain
Like all other alligators in North America, the species in Lake Pontchartrain is the American alligator.
This species has been in the area for millions of years.
After all that time, they are pretty much exactly the same.
So, they clearly were the perfect predators from the beginning.
Is it Safe to Swim in Lake Pontchartrain?
As long as you’re careful, there really aren’t any issues to be had.
The best tip about taking a dip in Lake Pontchartrain is to be highly aware of your surroundings.
This means being on the lookout for signs that let you know about danger or that an alligator is nearby.
Wildlife management tries to ensure the safety of anyone coming to the area.
If there are any known issues, they will put up signs, send out messages on social media, update the website, and even block an area.
If you come upon any of these things, don’t think of it as a friendly suggestion.
These indicators are meant to keep you and the ones you love safe.
Another thing that will keep you safe is to avoid areas with currents or bigger waves.
The more movement in an area under the water or on top, the more an alligator might accidentally find its way to you.
Staying ever vigilant is the best way to stay safe in Lake Pontchartrain.
Interesting Alligator Facts in Lake Pontchartrain
Alligators At Home
This land and water monster have taken quite a liking to Lake Pontchartrain.
This far south creates the perfect environment for alligators to love.
Lakes like this one create the ideal breeding ground and look out for a hunter of the reptilian sort.
Unfortunately, locals have learned this all too well due to attacks over the years.
In 2014, a pre-teen was attacked.
Luckily, he survived, but it was believed that a fish that had been recently caught by his father was how the alligator found them.
Hurricane Ida
Left in the wake of destruction from Hurricane Ida, an unlikely victim was added to the list.
An elderly man from New Orleans was eaten by an alligator who likely came from Lake Pontchartrain.
Shortly after the hurricane had passed, the man went outside his home to check out the damage.
What he didn’t expect was an alligator hanging out in his yard.
It’s likely that the alligator was thrown off by the hurricane and was not intending to hunt a human.
The alligator started with the arm and tore it off.
The man’s wife took a boat to find reception to call 911.
By the time she got back the alligator and man were nowhere to be found.
Officials did locate the alligator a week later. Human remains were found inside.
Swamp Tours
If you’re really itching to see an alligator, there is a safe way to accomplish that.
Aside from going to a zoo or aquarium, you can see an alligator in its natural habitat on a swamp tour.
There are several companies that offer to take you for a ride throughout Gator country.
Many of these tours use glass-bottomed boats, so you can really see what’s going on under the water without having to get in the water.
Alligators vs. Crocodiles
Alligators and crocodiles can be hard to tell apart because they are basically cousins.
Both come from the designation Crocodylia but have different families.
Alligators are from the Alligatordae and Crocodiles are part of the Crocodylidae.
Both groups are prey machines, but they go about it a little differently.
Heads
To start, their heads are unique from one another.
Alligators have a U-shape on their snout.
Their eyes are set higher than their nose and there is a bit of a dip in the space between the two spots.
The rest of the head is flat, which means there is more room in the mouth.
Crocodile heads are V-shaped and narrow.
That makes the snout bulkier.
Size
For the most part, crocodiles outweigh alligators both in weight and length.
Fully grown, a croc can grow up to 20 ft long.
Alligators max out at around 14 feet.
There are a few attributes that contribute to the discrepancy.
For one, a crocodile has a thick tail that they use for all sorts of things.
Their heads are often longer too, because of the snout.
The long point provides leverage.
Alligators are a tad more compact, but they make up for it with bigger bellies.
Behavior
Between the two beasts, you have a morning person and a night owl in terms of how unlike one another they are.
Alligators are shy and will try to get away from talking to people unless those people are talking to them rudely.
They are way more scared to come in contact with us than we are them, at least that’s what they say.
Eventually, it’s possible to sort of tame an alligator.
Well, not tame like a horse, but more like you can feed one from a boat while others watch.
Don’t do this unless you’re a professional, though.
Crocodiles are not as easily chilled.
They are more likely to attack a person than an alligator is.
They don’t want your handouts or your presence around.
To be fair, steer clear of both.
3 Safety Tips for Swimming in Alligator-infested Waters
1. Leave Nothing Behind
Whether you’re having a picnic on dry ground or enjoying snacks on a boat, be extra careful.
If you’re eating meat that could be misconstrued as lunch for an alligator, leave it at home.
Mostly, don’t bring fish or anything bloody to a lake outing.
Alligators can pick up scents from a long distance and will most surely find you.
They might even try to capsize a boat if they are really invested.
2. Don’t Go Looking
If you’re in a place where you know there has been alligator activity, stay in designated areas.
Too often people get curious or want to grab a picture of something that they will go out of their way to do something stupid.
Don’t put yourself in harm’s way for fun.
Alligators will try to stay away but if they feel they are being attacked, they will reciprocate.
So, yelling or throwing things at the alligator will provoke it.
3. Stay Alert
When there are signs posted that an alligator could be nearby, be ever vigilant.
Usually, the place you are swimming or sunbathing is designated as a safe one.
Even so, alligators are their own entities and can roam around.
If you happen to see an alligator in the distance, the first thing you want to do is inform a park ranger or authorities.
The easiest place to do so would be at a visitor center.
If not, feel free to make a phone call.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are humans attacked by alligators in Lake Pontchartrain?
There are as many as two million alligators calling Louisiana home and there are quite a lot of those in the lake.
Despite how common they are, it’s unlikely you’d ever know if you were out enjoying the day near the water.
It’s almost like they are everywhere and nowhere.
More often than not, alligators are afraid of humans and will do everything they can to avoid them.
If someone is attacked, they are almost guaranteed to live.
Is it safe to be near alligators?
The idea is always to keep a distance from alligators.
Even though attacks are rare, and they don’t want to eat humans, you never know.
It’s better to stay on the safe side of that equation.
If you do see an alligator in the area, especially one that is getting too close for comfort, notify authorities immediately.
How do you get away from an alligator?
If you just see one coming after you, take off as fast as you can in the opposite direction.
Don’t stop to check how far back he is.
Alligators weren’t built for endurance, so use speed to your advantage.
If the gator actually bit into you, it’s not too late to get away!
The last thing you want to do is waste time screaming or jerking your body part away.
Keep calm and punch, the eyes that are.
Poke, punch, or stab the eyes with your hands or anything you can grab.
It was probably an accident that they grabbed you in the first place, so if you’re fighting, they will move on.
Yes, alligators can run, but they are pretty slow on land.
So, if you see an alligator coming towards you, get to a safe place as quickly as you can.
It’s easy to outrun an alligator on land if you have a head start.