March 30, 2022
Alligator Mating Season Approaching
Alligators are common on Kiawah, basking on pond edges or lazily swimming in the numerous ponds. The warmer weather of spring triggers breeding activity in alligators. Read the timeline below on what you can expect.
April – Alligator courtship beings
May – Mating season begins and continues through June. During this time, alligators are more active and mobile and, therefore, more visible around the island. Male alligators participate in mating rituals that announce their presence with a low bellowing sound to attract their mates and slap the water with their jaws and lift their tails high, causing vibrations through the water.
June and July – Females begin building nests from mud, plants, and sticks to lay eggs. They often choose the edges of ponds that have healthy vegetation for protection.
Kiawah was intentionally developed to integrate closely with nature, and with that, precautions must be taken. Living with alligators requires constant awareness, respect, and caution. Read more