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Have you seen a skinny alligator in south Florida?

, Michiko Squires, Laura Brandt, andFrank Mazzotti
Other Contacts: Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Eric Suarez, andAaron Chimelis


Release Date: 12/19/2019

Reviewed At: 9/9/2026

DOI: 10.32473/EDIS-uw460-2019

Natural Resources

Abstract

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is an effective indicator for restoration of more natural patterns of water levels and flows through the Everglades. The Florida Everglades is a highly modified system, so monitoring health of alligators can inform how different areas of this large ecosystem are doing. Based on an increase in reports of very skinny alligators, biologists and natural resource managers are seeking help from the public to better understand where and when this problem occurs. This fact sheet serves as a guide for citizen scientists on how to score alligator body condition and report sightings of very skinny or unhealthy alligators.

About this Publication

This document is WEC415, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 2019. Visit the Ask IFAS website at https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/ for the currently supported version of this publication.

How to Cite

Squires, M., Godahewa, A., Dalaba, J. R., Brandt, L. A., & Mazzotti, F. J. (2019). Have you seen a skinny alligator in South Florida? EDIS, 2019(6), 3. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-uw460-2019

Authors

Justin Dalaba
Justin Dalaba

former science writer and outreach coordinator, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Michiko Squires
Michiko Squires
staff
University of Florida

former wildlife biologist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Laura Brandt
Laura Brandt
staff
University of Florida

Wildlife biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Frank Mazzotti
Frank Mazzotti
Specialist
University of Florida

professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Contacts

Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez
Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez
staff
University of Florida

senior research wildlife ecologist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and director Lamanai Field Research Center, UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Eric  Suarez
Eric Suarez
staff
University of Florida

biological scientist III, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL

Aaron Chimelis
Aaron Chimelis
student
University of Florida

wildlife intern, UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie FL

Publication #WEC415

Peer Reviewed