alligators

Environment

Study shows humans may be similarly impacted from 'forever chemicals' that researchers are finding in animals

4:40pm June 06, 2024

WFDD’s Paul Garber spoke with NC State endocrine toxicologist Scott Belcher about his work studying PFAS chemicals in wildlife. He begins by explaining why alligators in the Cape Fear River basin are important indicators of the potential health impacts of PFAS on humans.

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This photo provided by Tony Cavallaro shows his alligator, Albert, inside the custom enclosure he built for the reptile in his house in Hamburg, N.Y. The alligator was seized by the Department of Environmental Conservation in mid-March.

National

A New York man's pet alligator was seized after 30 years. Now, he wants Albert back

4:02pm March 20, 2024

by The Associated Press

The owner of a 12-foot alligator recently seized by conservation officers is fighting for its return, saying the reptile he has shared a home with is a gentle giant that's no danger to anyone.

A stunned iguana lies on the sidewalk after having fallen from a tree on Jan. 6, 2010, in Surfside, Fla. Very cold temperatures can stun the invasive reptiles into a state called brumation. But the iguanas won't necessarily die.

Brumation and torpor: How animals survive cold snaps by playing dead-ish

5:00am February 14, 2024

by Vanessa Romo

Social media was recently taken aback watching as alligators in freezing weather appeared to go into a deep sleep to stay alive. They're not alone. Iguanas and hummingbirds do it too.

During the winter months, American alligators go into a state of brumation, the cold-blooded version of hibernation.

Science

Texas cold leaves alligators frozen underwater, but still alive. Here's how

5:00am January 25, 2024

by Diba Mohtasham

Alligators rely on external sources to regulate their body temperatures — so during winter, they will go into brumation. A viral video captured the phenomenon during the Texas winter freeze.

Joie Henney and his emotional support alligator, Wally, were denied entry to a Phillies' game at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday — but hope to be invited back soon.

Health & Safety

Wally the emotional support alligator went to see the Phillies. Then he went viral

11:01am September 29, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Wally doesn't bite, loves hugs and has a sizeable social media following. He made headlines (again) for being denied entry to a baseball stadium — but his owner tells NPR that's not the full story.

An alligator floats in a pond during the second round of the Honda Classic golf tournament, on Feb. 24 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

An unprovoked alligator attack is extremely rare — but the reptile is unpredictable

2:52pm March 07, 2023

by Kaity Kline

After a Florida man was bitten by an alligator on his doorstep, an expert weighs in on the risk and offers tips on escaping an alligator attack.

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An alligator that eluded capture for a week in a Chicago park is now in custody, officials announced Tuesday. The gator is seen here in an image provided by Chicago Animal Care and Control.

National

Chance The Snapper Is Snared: Alligator Caught After A Wild Week In Chicago Park

4:49pm July 16, 2019

by Bill Chappell

It took some 36 hours of looking in Humboldt Park's lagoon, but a Florida alligator specialist finally brought in an animal that had become something of a celebrity in Chicago.

Frank Mazzotti, a professor of wildlife biology and researcher with the Everglades environmental restoration team, has been studying alligators in the national park for more than a decade.

Honey, Who Shrank The Alligators?

8:32pm February 19, 2016

by Amy Green

For many, the alligator is the face of the Florida Everglades. But the reptiles are shrinking in size and population, a signal that the watershed might not be doing as well as it should.

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