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Let’s talk about the unofficial mascot of the Louisiana swamps: the alligator. Not the cartoon kind wearing a vest and playing the banjo—but the real-deal, prehistoric, sunbathing-on-a-log type that has been cruising our bayous long before GPS or gumbo.

Now, thanks to movies, TV, and the occasional tall tale at a crawfish boil, there’s a whole pile of myths about these animals floating around—many of which have as much bite as a boiled marshmallow. As someone who spends a good portion of the year watching these reptiles do their thing out in the wild, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Because the truth? Alligators are fascinating creatures, and most of them have better manners than your neighbor’s cat.

Myth #1: Alligators Love Chasing People

Let’s start with the classic. Some folks seem to believe alligators wake up every morning with one thing on their mind: chasing joggers. In reality, alligators are lazy—efficient, sure—but mostly lazy. If it’s not food or mating season, they’re probably lying in the sun like retirees in Florida. They’ll put up with a lot before they move an inch. If chased by an alligator, congratulations—you are either really unlucky or holding a bucket of raw chicken.

Myth #2: Alligators Can Leap Ten Feet Out of the Water to Grab Tourists

It’s true they can jump—especially the young ones—but they’re not launching into midair like swamp rockets. If someone tells a story about a gator leaping into a boat and snatching a camera, either the boat was floating in its food dish, or someone’s been exaggerating again at the fishing camp. Adults may lift part of their body out of the water to grab low-hanging prey, but they’re not auditioning for Cirque du Soleil.

Myth #3: Bigger Gator Means Bigger Trouble

Now sure, a 12-footer commands respect. But size doesn’t always equal temperament. In fact, some of the most chill gators I’ve seen are the giants—like old porch dogs that just want to nap in peace. The smaller ones, especially teenagers full of tail-thrashing energy, are often the ones poking around where they shouldn’t be. Think of them like teenagers: always hungry, always curious, and occasionally doing something dumb.

Myth #4: Alligators Are Practically Blind

If alligators had a Yelp review for their night vision, it would be glowing. Their eyes are designed for low light, thanks to a special structure in the back that reflects light (which also explains the creepy glowing eyes you see in the dark). They’re excellent hunters when the sun goes down. They also know when someone is pointing a phone at them from 20 yards away—which explains why they often look unimpressed in tourist photos.

Myth #5: Alligators Bite Everything with Equal Enthusiasm

They’ve got powerful jaws, no doubt. But those jaws are made for clamping down—not opening up quickly. In fact, the muscles that close the jaw are incredibly strong, but the ones that open them are relatively weak. That’s why wildlife handlers (who know what they’re doing—do not try this at home) can keep their mouths shut with a bit of duct tape or a firm grip. But again, this isn’t an invitation to find out personally.

Myth #6: They’re Everywhere

Tourists sometimes ask if gators are lurking in every puddle. No, the one behind your hotel is probably just a drainage canal with delusions of grandeur. While alligators do live in plenty of places around southern Louisiana, they don’t love loud, busy areas filled with cars, music, and gumbo fumes. They prefer quiet, natural waterways—swamps, marshes, and lakes. Although… if you toss fried chicken in a retention pond often enough, you might get a curious visitor.

Myth #7: Alligators Are Endangered

Actually, no. The American alligator was once on the endangered species list, but after years of conservation and management programs, the population bounced back like a bungee cord. Now they’re considered a success story. That said, just because they’re not rare doesn’t mean they’re not protected. Messing with one outside of legal hunting seasons or without a permit is a fast ticket to explaining your decisions to someone wearing a badge.

A Little Gator Wisdom

Alligators have been around for millions of years, and they’re not going anywhere. They’re not out to get people, they’re not plotting in the bayou, and they don’t particularly want to be bothered. Give them space, respect their territory, and don’t throw marshmallows (yes, it happens), and they’ll keep doing what they’ve always done—floating, hunting, and sunbathing like scaly Zen masters.

When folks join our swamp tours, they’re usually surprised by how calm and unbothered these animals really are. No chase scenes, no high drama—just nature doing its thing. And maybe, just maybe, learning a thing or two about what’s real, what’s rumor, and why Hollywood really ought to leave the swamp stories to the professionals.

Because if there’s one thing alligators and seasoned tour guides both know—it’s that the real story is always better than the myth.