Every spring, Florida's lakes and marshes get noisy. Big male alligators bellow across the water, gators turn up in places they normally are not, and the local news starts running "watch out for gators" stories. That is alligator mating season. Here is when it happens, what is going on, and how to enjoy it safely.
In Florida, alligator courtship begins in early April and mating happens in May and June. Females lay eggs in late June or early July, and babies hatch from about mid-August through early September. Gators are more active and more visible in spring, so give them extra space near the water.
The Alligator Year, Month By Month
| When | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Early April | Courtship begins. Males bellow, and gators move around more as the water warms. |
| May and June | Mating season. |
| Late June to early July | Females build mound nests of plants and mud and lay eggs, about 38 on average. |
| July to August | Eggs incubate for about 63 to 68 days while the mother guards the nest. |
| Mid-August to early September | Hatching. Tiny striped babies stay close to mom for a while. |
| November to March | Cooler weather slows gators down. They stop feeding below about 70°F and go dormant below about 55°F. |
What Does Alligator Mating Season Sound Like?
Loud. Male alligators bellow, a deep, rumbling roar that carries a long way over the water, to attract females and warn off rivals. A bellowing male lifts his head and tail, and the vibrations can make the water on his back dance and splash. If you are near a lake on a spring morning in Central Florida, you may hear a chorus of them.
Are Alligators More Aggressive During Mating Season?
They are more active, which is not quite the same thing. In spring, alligators travel more, looking for mates and new territory, so you are more likely to see one crossing a road, sitting in a retention pond or showing up on a golf course. More gators on the move means more chances for close encounters, so it pays to be extra careful. Mother alligators also become very protective once eggs are laid and babies hatch, so stay well away from nests and young gators in summer.
Does Alligator Mating Season Happen In Central Florida Too?
Yes. The timing is about the same across the state, and Central Florida, with its many lakes, marshes and canals, is prime alligator country. Florida wildlife officials estimate about 1.3 million alligators statewide, living in all 67 counties.
How To Stay Safe Around Gators In Spring And Summer
- Keep your distance. If a gator hisses or moves toward you, you are too close.
- Swim only in designated areas during daylight, and never at dusk or after dark, when gators are most active.
- Keep pets leashed and away from the water's edge.
- Never feed alligators. It is illegal in Florida, and it teaches them to connect people with food.
- Leave nests and babies alone. Mom is almost always nearby.
- Report a problem gator to the FWC nuisance alligator hotline at 866-392-4286 (866-FWC-GATOR).
Is Spring A Good Time For An Airboat Tour?
It is one of the best. Warm days get alligators moving, birds are nesting, and you may hear bellowing out on the marsh. Alligators are most active at about 82 to 92°F, so in the warmer months, morning and late afternoon tours are a smart pick. Want a sure thing any time of year? Boggy Creek's night tour guarantees alligators, because that is when they come out to feed. Night tours do not run when it is colder than 55°F.
Late summer brings its own treat: hatchlings. Captains know the waterways well and can point out wildlife from a safe distance.
What About Fall And Winter?
Alligators are still out there, just slower. On sunny winter days, look for them basking on the banks in the late morning and afternoon. Boggy Creek's tip: in the cold months, skip the early morning, and in the warm months, avoid the middle of the day.
Make It A Boggy Creek Day
Gator spotting is just one part of a day at Boggy Creek, where Mini Moo Land and our Highland cows are a few steps from the dock:
- Ride an airboat through the headwaters of the Everglades and look for wild alligators, bald eagles and wading birds. Choose a 30-minute or one-hour tour, a sunset tour, or a night tour that guarantees gators.
- Dig for gems at the 70-foot Prospector Gem Mine, where kids sift for semi-precious stones, fossils and crystals.
- Walk through Lily's Butterfly Garden and its native butterflies and plants.
- Visit the Gator Pond.
- Eat lakeside at Boggy Bottom BBQ.
The easiest way to do it all is the 1-hour airboat ride and Mini Moo Land combo, which costs $10 less than booking both separately.
Sources
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, American alligator facts (courtship, nesting, hatching, temperatures)
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, alligator population and safety tips (March 2025)
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, living with alligators
- Florida Statutes 379.412, feeding of alligators prohibited
- Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, FAQ
