Alright... I've been researching into the American gators now, and can't find anyone who'll agree on a max, or average size. Can anyone give me a pretty solid answer?
-=Dave
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Max size for American Gator
onitora
Aug 29, 2003 04:39 PM
Replies (3)
kcaiman
Aug 29, 2003 05:45 PM
12ft is average for adult is what i've heard
Michael.L
Aug 29, 2003 08:29 PM
Can become 19ft long, usually 9ft - 13ft !!
BrianSmith
Aug 31, 2003 04:06 PM
Not to ruffle anyone's feathers or start any arguments, but saying alligators can reach 19 feet would be like telling someone their son can reach 8'11" because one human once did (Robert Wadlow). Genetics play the most integral part in the eventual overall length of a crocodilian. If the father was only 10 feet, then junior is likely to get somewhere around 10 feet as an adult. At best, maybe a little longer. I would say that 9 to 11 would be the average size of males. 12 and 13 are rare, but are still around in fair numbers (like 7 foot tall men) 14 and 15 are VERY rare, but do exist. But because they stick out and are showcased frequently it probably seems like this is an average large size. It isn't. The odds that any herper in any of these forums will ever raise a male gator to 15 feet are incredibly remote. Now, if one of us ever is fortunate enough to get a male baby that is the offspring of such a giant male,.. then we'd be in the zone. But it would still be 20 years before he reached those lengths.
>>Can become 19ft long, usually 9ft - 13ft !!
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