Alligators – Lizards
Venomous Lizards
Of all the lizards in the world that can be harmful, the only venomous lizards found native to north America are the Gila Monster, and the Mexican Beaded Lizard.
These lizards are classified in the family Helodermatidae. This family consists of 1 genus and only 2 species, the Gila Monster and the Mexican Beaded Lizard.
The Gila Monster and the Mexican Beaded Lizard are found in North America, specifically in south-western United States and Mexico. They have a stout body with a broad head, well developed limbs, a short fat tail. They are carnivorous (meat eaters).
The Gila Monster and the Beaded lizard have long been thought of as being the only venomous lizards, but today authorities do not rule out the possibility that others may be found. However as of yet, they are the only two lizards that are known as venomous.
Non-Native Species
In the world of today, we are seeing more and more imported “exotic” or “non-native” species brought to America, especially through the “black market” trade. With these, come inherent dangers that were not seen before in our native species … both to humans, and to the environment. Of these “non-native” species being introduced to North America are species such as Dragons, Monitors, and Goannas. Some of these are also venomous, and most all are carnivorous.
Crocodilian Species
Even though we offer services for the removal of the non-native or exotic species of lizards, we do not encounter them very often or on a regular basis in Oklahoma. We do however, encounter more frequently, a native and a non-native crocodilian species in Oklahoma … the American Alligator, and the South American Caiman.
Identification
The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the most common of two crocodilians native to the United States and is one of 22 crocodilian species worldwide. The other native crocodilian is the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Caimans (Caiman spp.), imported from Central and South America, are occasionally released in the United States and can survive and reproduce in Florida. The American alligator is distinguished from the American crocodile and caiman by its more rounded snout and black and yellow-white coloration. American crocodiles and caimans are olive-brown in color and have more pointed snouts. American alligators and crocodiles are similar in physical size, whereas caimans are 40% smaller.
** Note: Misidentification of an American Alligator and subspecies occurs often, and mostly where beaver are present. When a beaver want to warn an intruder, it will dive, and while doing so, slap it’s tail on the surface of the water as a warning. This creates an audible noise that draws attention to it, but the tail is whats observed, and mistaken as an alligator. However, if you suspect an alligator in your waters or on your property, stay away from the area and contact us immediately. Thank you:
Food Habits
Alligators are exclusively carnivorous and prey upon whatever creatures are most available. Juvenile alligators (less than 4 feet [1.2 m]) eat crustaceans, snails, and small fish; sub-adults (4 to 6 feet [1.2 to 1.8 m]) eat mostly fish, crustaceans, small mammals, and birds; and adults (greater than 6 feet [1.8 m]) eat fish, mammals, turtles, birds, and other alligators. Diets are range-dependent; in Louisiana coastal marshes, adult alligators feed primarily on nutria (Myocastor coypus), whereas in Florida and northern Louisiana, rough fish and turtles comprise most of the diet. Recent studies in Florida and Louisiana indicate that cannibalism is common among alligators. Alligators readily take domestic dogs and cats. In rural areas, larger alligators take calves, foals, goats, hogs, domestic waterfowl, and occasionally, full grown cattle and horses.
Damage and Damage Identification
Damage by alligators is usually limited to injuries or death to humans or domestic animals. Most alligator bites occur in Florida, which has documented approximately 140 unprovoked attacks from 1972 to 1991, or about 7 per year. Since 1972, 5 deaths have been positively attributed to alligators. Historically, nonfatal attacks have also been documented in South Carolina (8), Louisiana (2), Texas (1), Georgia (1), and Alabama (1). Alligators inflict damage with their sharp, cone-shaped teeth and powerful jaws. Bites are characterized by puncture wounds and/or torn flesh. Alligators, like other crocodilians that take large prey, prefer to seize an appendage and twist it off by spinning. Many serious injuries have involved badly damaged and broken arms on humans and legs on animals. Sometimes alligators bite or eat previously drowned persons. Coroners can usually determine whether a person drowned before or after being bitten. Stories of alligators breaking the legs of full grown men with their tails are unfounded. Alligators sometimes excavate extensive burrows or dens for refuges from cold temperatures, drought, and predators (other alligators and humans). Burrowing by alligators can damage dikes in impoundments.
Legal Status
The American alligator is federally classified as “threatened due to similarity of appearance” to other endangered and threatened crocodilians. This provides federal protection for alligators but allows state approved management and control programs. Alligators can be legally taken only by individuals with proper licenses or permits. Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas have problem or nuisance alligator control programs that allow permitted hunters to kill or facilitate the removal of nuisance alligators. Other states use state wildlife officials to remove problem animals.