Have you seen a skinny alligator in south Florida?
, Michiko Squires, Laura Brandt, andFrank Mazzotti
Other Contacts: Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Eric Suarez, andAaron Chimelis
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

