Baby GAtors!

Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message

Young American Alligator hiding in the Spatterdock yellow lily pads in the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia.

The larger alligators are usually easier to spot, so my daughter and I are always on the lookout for the cute juvenile and baby alligators hiding among the spatterdock lily pads and floating peat mats of the Okefenokee Swamp. And it is always a true joy to hear a baby gator chirp! 

Baby American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, on floating Spatterdock peat bed, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

​Generally, the young alligators stay with the mother for one year, but they can remain in the pod for up to three years. Staying in pods helps protect the young alligators from predators such as raccoons, large fish, birds of prey, and even other alligators. Large male alligators have been known to predate the young. Baby alligators will chirp to alert their mother for protection when threatened. 

Baby American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, on floating Spatterdock peat bed, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

Baby American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, on floating Spatterdock lily pad peat bed, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

Baby American Alligator sleeping with eyes closed, Alligator mississippiensis, on floating Spatterdock peat bed, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

​A group of juvenile alligators with a mother is called a pod. Sometimes a pod will consist of a mixed group of juveniles from several alligator nests. These baby gators stay within their pod for up to three years, close to their adult mother who ferociously protects them from predators such as raccoons and raptors… even paddlers in a canoe nearing for a closer look! Even adult male alligators will snatch up a baby gator. 

Baby American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, on Spatterdock peat bed, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

Young American Alligator basking in swamp, Canoe Kayak Trail in Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

Juvenile American Alligator swimming submerged, Spatterdock lily pad, duckweed, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA

Juvenile American Alligator swimming submerged, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA

Juvenile American Alligator swimming, Spatterdock lily pad, duckweed, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA

Baby American Alligator, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Young American Alligator basking in sun, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

American Alligator, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

Juvenile American Allgator sunning on Spatterdock Lily pads, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

Young American Alligator basking in sun, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

Young American Alligator basking in sun, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia