Here’s Where Gators Are Striking in North Carolina This Summer

We often think of alligators as prehistoric-looking reptiles that lurk only in the swamps of Florida and Louisiana. However, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) can be found in 11 southeastern states. Gators also inhabit Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Although biologists at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have only uncovered a handful of cases of alligator bites in the state in over 50 years, conflicts between humans and gators are on the rise. Keep reading to find out where gators are striking in North Carolina this summer.

The American Alligator

Alligators will inhabit any body of water within their range, whether it is freshwater or brackish. They are most active at temperatures between 82°F to 92°F and do not even feed once temperatures drop below around 70°F. As alligators prefer warmer weather, North Carolina and extreme southeastern Virginia are currently believed to be the northernmost points of an alligator’s range.

NCWRC scientists explain that gators living farther north do not grow as rapidly or as large as those inhabiting warmer areas like Florida and Louisiana. Florida gators can reach up to 15 feet and weigh more than 1,000 pounds. In contrast, North Carolina gators grow to a maximum of around 13 feet and can weigh over 500 pounds. Biologists estimate that it takes over 16 years for a North Carolina alligator to exceed 6 feet in length, but even smaller gators can still be dangerous.

When and Where Are Alligators Found in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, alligator mating season takes place from late April to July. This is when most sightings occur. Residents can expect to see increased activity and territorial behavior from adult male alligators searching for a mate. Younger gators may venture out in search of food, or they may have been driven from the area by an older male. Female alligators fiercely defend their nests and offspring.

Warmer weather may also bring alligators migrating from smaller bodies of water to larger water sources where they can submerge and hunt. Alligators may cross roads or cut through backyards as they travel to another body of water. Because alligators are ectothermic, they also leave the water to bask in the sun, which raises their metabolism.

In 2024, the NCWRC Wildlife Helpline received 448 calls about alligators, with most of those calls coming from the coastal counties of New Hanover and Brunswick. Larger concentrations of gators can also be found in Columbus, Craven, Onslow, and Pender counties. Officials estimate there are thousands of alligators living in the coastal plain, with the highest population density around Wilmington. Orton Pond in Brunswick County is a well-known gator hotspot. However, officials warn that alligators can also be found in the Sandhills farther inland. They believe that continued development in the area will result in more sightings, as developers expand into more remote areas inhabited by alligators.

A Gator Incident Resulting in Injuries

On June 13th, a 12-year-old girl was injured by a 12-foot alligator while swimming with friends in Lake Waccamaw. The children were playing in shallow water when the girl yelled that something had bitten her. The encounter resulted in scratches and lacerations to her legs, which required half a dozen stitches. Officials are unsure if the wounds were caused by a bite or the alligator’s claws. A spokesperson for the Lake Waccamaw Police reported that, although the injuries were serious, they were fortunately not life-threatening. The young girl is expected to make a full recovery.

The NCWRC explained that their protocol is to evaluate alligators that have made contact with people, and euthanasia is often considered for those that have attacked or bitten humans. Unprovoked alligator attacks are rare, but officials emphasized that the girl was not to blame. In this incident, the alligator demonstrated unusual behavior, consistent with actions typically associated with being fed. Officials have designated the encounter as an “incident” rather than an “attack,” since the gator did not exhibit predatory behavior. Since 2019, only one other gator has been euthanized, and its aggressive behavior is also likely the result of being fed.

Timeline of Alligator Sightings

Fortunately, there has only been one encounter, but there have been a record number of gator sightings in coastal areas this year. Gators were observed at the following locations and were successfully relocated with no injuries reported:

• May 11-17: Southport police caught and relocated nine alligators in the area in just one week.

• May 14: Sheriff’s deputies relocated an alligator from Highway 17S entering Brunswick County.

• May 28: Onslow County sheriff’s deputies removed a 10-foot alligator from Old 30 Road.

• May 31: A gator was found in the River Hotel swimming pool in Southport.

• June 10: A small alligator was fished out of a Southport family’s pool.

• June 11: The City of Southport reported that they had captured and relocated a total of 20 alligators.

• June 13: A young girl was injured by a 12-foot alligator while swimming in Lake Waccamaw.

• June 18: A five-foot alligator was spotted resting against a door of the Mattamuskeet School in Swan Quarter.

• June 19: An eight-foot alligator was found swimming in the ocean at Sunset Beach.

• June 23: Southport police removed a 7.5-foot alligator from the backyard of a private residence.

At the time of writing, no additional sightings or incidents have been reported. However, in April of this year, Southport Police removed alligators from two residents’ yards, while Sunset Beach Police caught a young gator that snuck into a garage and hid under a car. Southport Animal Protective Service, in collaboration with Southport police, also captured and relocated a gator that had climbed a fence and was headed toward traffic.

What to Do If You See an Alligator

If you see an alligator that could endanger humans, call 911. If the gator is in distress or could injure itself, call the 24/7 wildlife emergency number at 1-800-662-7137 for assistance. You can also reach out to experts at the Wildlife Helpline for information. Additionally, NCWRC officials have launched a new website called GatorWise, aimed at educating the public and minimizing conflicts between humans and alligators. Visitors are reminded to:

• Assume gators are present in any body of water and maintain a safe distance.

• Refrain from feeding gators, as it is not only irresponsible, it is also illegal.

• Properly dispose of fish scraps and food, and do not throw anything in the water.

• Never try to capture, handle, or approach a gator.

• Be responsible for children and pets.

• Remain aware when you are near or in the water.

Alligators typically avoid people and are more likely to retreat than attack, but they must still be respected as potential threats. Most alligator-human conflicts are believed to be caused by human interference. As alligators are native apex predators in wetlands throughout the Southeast, we must do our part to ensure their populations remain stable for the health of the entire ecosystem.

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