Largest Alligator Ever Recorded

The Alligators are reptiles that belong to the sub family of Alligatoridae. These reptiles are known for their bone crunching bites and also their huge size. The term 'Alligator' has been derived from the Spanish word el lagarto which means 'the lizard' in English. People often confuse alligators with crocodiles, whereas they are two different things. True they are both reptiles, and they belong to the same family, the Crocodilians, but the crocodiles belongs to the sub family of Crocodylidae. Besides this, there are several other difference between alligators and crocodiles. You can also learn about the biggest crocodile in the world. The alligators are generally found in the areas of south eastern parts of United States, parts of Georgia, Alabama and the Mississippi. They are also found in the coastal areas of North and South Carolina, the eastern part of Texas and near the southern part of Arkansas, the Louisiana and Florida. These alligators, mainly the American alligators, can be found mostly in the freshwater ponds, marshes, rivers, swamps, the wetlands and lakes. They usually grow up to a size of 13 feet, but some can even grow larger than that. Want to know which is the largest alligator ever recorded? Here are some information.

Alligator Claiming to Be the Largest

This alligator was found in 1890 in Marsh Islands in Louisiana. The whole length of the alligator was around 19 feet and 2 inches. It was an American alligator which are also sometimes referred to as the 'gator'. These types of alligators are mainly found in the Southern part of United States. These alligators are also known as Mississippi alligators and they are nearly more than 150 million years old. The males usually grows up to a length of around 14 to 17 feet while the female grows up to a length of 9 to 11 feet. They are carnivorous and they feed on the fish, the birds, mammals, etc. However, since this 19 feet, 2 inches long alligator was found in the late 19th century, it is a bit difficult to verify this claim.

Another alligator which was found in Florida and which some claim to be the largest alligator on record, is of a length of 17 feet and 5 inches. Now although this was the biggest alligator ever recorded, there is nothing to fear, because, alligators, unlike crocodiles, are not that aggressive and when they come face to face with a human, they move in the opposite direction. But that does not mean that if you go and stand in front of it, it won't attack you.

200 Feet Alligator?!

17 feet alligator or maybe even a 19 feet alligator, is expected, but a whooping 200 feet alligator, is unbelievable. But believe it or not, there is an alligator which is actually 200 feet and 1 inch and it can be found in Florida. Some say that when it rains, people actually take shelter in its open mouth. Surprised? Shocked? Well, let me tell you, this is not a real alligator at all. This long and boxy alligator is placed just outside the town of Titusville, Florida, welcoming visitors and also attracting the pedestrians. This alligator has been in this place since the year 1992. Once you go beyond the 200 feet alligator, you can tour the Indian villages and also enjoy the various animals shows or buy the frozen alligator meat that you can barbecue later. The name of this largest 'alligator' ever recorded in the world is Swampy.

Who knows maybe there is another creature waiting to claim the title of largest alligator even recorded, waiting to be caught or some which has never been recorded.