Alligators are dangerous reptiles.
Some can easily grow to be eight feet long and even longer.
And they have known to attack and even kill humans.
Knowing whether alligators live in a particular area is critical.
If you’re going to swim in Seneca Lake or the Long Island Sound of New York, you have to know what to expect.
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So… Are There Alligators in New York?
Yes, but they shouldn’t be in the state at all.
When you look, alligators aren’t native to New York and that’s because of the weather.
It’s often too cold for cold-blooded animals to survive.
That being said, there are reports of alligators being spotted in New York from time to time.
Many officials identify that alligators found in New York are likely a result of someone keeping one as a pet and releasing it into the wild.
Then, the alligators breed, leading to even more being found within a particular area.
It is illegal to have a pet alligator in the state of New York, but that doesn’t stop some people.
And the fines can be hefty for anyone found keeping a gator in a cage, crate, or aquarium.
When alligators are found, they are typically brought to zoos and parks where they can live in captivity.
Some of the alligator sightings in New York include:
Animal conservationists and big game specialists will be quick to spot an alligator in New York because they know what to look for, including scat along the shorelines.
In most instances, alligators are caught using nets and barriers so that they are unable to move out of a particular area.
In upstate New York, there have been a few gators caught near Binghamton.
One was only 39 inches and the other was 45 inches, so they are hardly considered big alligators.
The gators that have been caught in this area are typically brought to the Animal Adventure Park.
So, if you are in New York and actually WANT to see a gator, this would be one of the best opportunities – in captivity rather than in the wild.
Alligator Species in New York
There’s only one species of an alligator that has been found in New York – the American alligator.
It is part of the Alligatoridae family, with the species being a mississippiensis.
There are actually only two species within the genus of Alligator, with the other being the Chinese alligator – and there have been no sightings of that species in New York.
The American Alligator can actually measure to be quite large.
The males can weigh up to 2200 pounds and have a full length of up to 16 feet.
Females are a bit smaller, with their length only reaching about 10 feet.
This species of gator will typically spend its time in subtropical and tropical waters, including swamps, marshes, and wetlands.
In some instances, it will also be found in brackish water.
Since the alligator species is not native to anywhere in New York, there’s no rhyme or reason to where it will be spotted – though it will typically be in freshwater sources.
Is It Safe to Swim in New York?
Typically, it is very safe to swim in New York because there are no alligators native to the waters.
You will rarely see a sign that reads “caution: alligators” like you would in Florida.
However, is it safe to swim in all of the lakes and rivers and beaches?
It depends.
There are a lot of bodies of water where you can swim in New York.
It will depend on the water quality standards in place, the time of the year, and even the municipality to determine if it’s safe for you to swim.
For example, you are not allowed to swim in the Inner Harbor of New York City.
This includes the East River, the Hudson River, Harlem River, and the Upper New York Bay.
The reason for not being able to swim is because of the water quality standards, not because of alligators.
The Department of Environmental Protection within NYC even has warnings around the water to remind you that it is not permitted for you to swim in the water and, therefore, not safe for you to swim there.
There are plenty of places where it is absolutely safe for you to swim. For example, the Long Island Sound features plenty of beaches where you can go for a swim.
They are tested frequently, and they don’t have anything in there that you have to be afraid of.
You’ll find a number of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean that you can swim in, too.
This includes:
- Jones Beach
- Orchard Beach
- Fort Tilden Beach
- Brighton Beach
- Main Beach
- Rockaway Beach
These beaches are fed by the Atlantic Ocean, which is saltwater.
It allows you to go in without fear of alligators.
The only things you may have to be cautious of are sharks and other sea life.
Check with the local regulations to find out if there’s anything you need to be cautious of before going into any water.
Interesting Alligator Facts in New York
Alligators have a long history of being found in New York.
One of the reasons is that there are so many different bodies of water across the state.
Perhaps the most interesting fact is that alligators have been found in the sewer systems of New York City.
Thought it was a myth?
Think again.
There have been sightings dating all the way back to 1932.
Here’s the good news…it’s not particularly common to find a gator in the sewers.
And plenty of people have gone looking only to find nothing but smelly water and old trash.
The myth is that deep down in the bowels of the New York City sewers and subways are monster alligators that are longer and heavier than your typical alligator.
Why would they be so large?
Because they eat rats and raw sewage.
It’s like a version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…but with alligators.
Most experts agree that alligators wouldn’t be able to survive down there too long because of the toxicity levels as well as the colder winter months.
Still, you’ll see some bronze alligators in various parts of NYC as a way to pay tribute to some of the myths.
In fact, there’s an 8th Ave. subway statue that you can see as a way to bring the underground alligator to life.
It was created by a local artist by the name of Tom Otterness – and they’re popping up all over the city.
Want another fun fact?
If you hear about a “Hudson River Alligator,” it’s not the reptilian that you typically think of.
The Hudson River does not have any alligators.
Instead, it’s the nickname that the Coast Guard has given to the wooden planks that often float through the river.
Due to demolished piers and storms, these boards are found quite often.
They look like a gator floating on the surface of the water, hence the nickname.
Alligators vs. Crocodiles
While both alligators and crocodiles are four-legged reptiles that are dangerous, it’s important to note the differences.
Alligators have a rounded snout with an overbite.
Crocodiles have a V-shaped snout with its bottom row of jaws visible with a closed mouth.
You’ll find alligators AND crocodiles in New York, and that’s because of where the two animals enjoy living.
Crocodiles like saltier water while alligators try to stick to freshwater.
If you see one of these reptiles from the side or back, there are a few other differences.
Alligators have shorter legs. Alligators also tend to be black or gray on the top while crocodiles have more green or brown in their coloring.
Oh, and crocodiles tend to be a lot more aggressive by nature.
It’s also important to know that there is a Lake Placid in New York as well as a Lake Placid in Queensland, Australia.
If you hear reports about crocodiles in Lake Placid, it’s most likely referring to the area near Cairns, Australia.
It’s got the reputation of being Croc Country.
If there’s any kind of reptile in Lake Placid, New York, it would be an alligator because the water isn’t salty enough for a crocodile.
3 Safety Tips for Swimming in Alligator-Infested Waters
Plenty of places around New York allow for swimming but have signs that there have been gator sightings.
As such, it’s important to follow a few safety tips.
- Don’t swim near dense vegetation: Gators often lurk in the lush, vegetated shoreline. If you swim near there, it will be harder to spot a gator until it’s too late.
- Don’t swim alone: Be sure that you swim in designated areas and in plain sight of others.
- Don’t approach the gators: Most gators will leave you alone if you don’t attempt to approach them.
Summary
You’ll hear more about the rumors of alligators in New York than there actually being alligators in any of the bodies of water.
There are over 7600 freshwater ponds, reservoirs, and lakes across the state of New York.
This means that there is always going to be the likelihood of finding an alligator, though it won’t be very common.
Since alligators are not native to New York, you won’t have to worry about finding any infested waters.
And most of the alligators are reported and removed before they ever get too big.
That means that if you ever do come across a 1,000-pound, 12-foot-long gator, it is incredibly rare – at least if you’re in New York.
As with any body of water, exercise caution.
Pay attention to signage so that you know if it’s safe to swim in the water.
Even if there aren’t gators, there could be other prey.
Have fun but be cautious.
New York Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: New York Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people die of alligator attacks in the U.S.?
The Florida Conservation Commission estimates that there were 442 unprovoked attacks in Florida from 1948 to 2021 – and only 26 were fatal.
That means that there is less than one fatal attack a year.
Are alligators native to New York?
No.
Typically, due to weather patterns, alligators are native to southern states such as Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.
They only migrate as far north as North Carolina.
Where are the most alligator-infested lakes?
Florida has more alligator-infested lakes out of all of the states.
Alligators are not native to New York, but there have been occasional sightings due to people illegally keeping them as pets and releasing them into the wild.