American Alligator Food Habits in Northcentral Florida

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Abstract
Stomachs from 350 American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) collected in conjunction with 1981-83 experimental harvests in 3 lakes in northcentral Florida were examined for food habits. Common invertebrate foods of subadult alligators were giant water bugs (Belostoma spp.), apple snails (Pomacea paludosa), and crayfish (Procambarus penninsulatus); common terrestrial foods were round-tailed muskrats (Neofiber alleni) and marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris). Larger size classes primarily consumed Florida red-bellied turtles (Pseudemys nelsoni), peninsular cooters (P. floridana), stinkpots (Sternotherus odoratus), gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), and Florida gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus). When compared by sex female alligators consumed significantly (P = 0.004) more mammals. Reptiles (turtles) were more important (P = 0.04) in the diet of male alligators. No differences (P > 0.05) were apparent in diets beween study area lakes. Alligators in Florida consumed more fish and turtles but fewer mammals than in other parts of their range. Alligator marking tags recovered from 5% of the sample suggest some juvenile morality may be attributable to cannabalism. Fish and amphibians are probably under-represented in the sample, and turtles, snails, crayfish, birds, and mammals may be overemphasized because of differential digestion rates. Diverse wetland habitat may benefit alligators by providing a variety of foods for different size classes.