Last Updated on September 14, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Two species have never been confused for each other as much as alligators and crocodiles. Thankfully most of the time, they don’t coexist in the same place. Although there are exceptions, Mexico is one of the few countries falsely believed to be inhabiting alligators as well as crocodiles.
Let us confirm once and for all the presence of alligators in the country.
Are There Alligators in Mexico?
Unfortunately, there are no alligators in Mexico. Currently, there are only two types of alligator species found in the world. One is the American alligator that as its name suggests is present in the United States of America and the other one is the Chinese alligator currently only present in China. None of these species inhabit Mexico and never have in the past too.
But we understand where the confusion might have come up. Mexico while not inhabiting alligators, the country does have a stable population of crocodiles called Morelet’s crocodile, these are sometimes also referred to as Mexican alligators.
But just know that these are not alligators, and the name probably came up in the past due to the similarities between the two reptiles.
How Many Alligators in Mexico?
Earth is a big place and we humans haven’t even discovered all the types of species currently inhabiting the various landscapes she has. But we can tell a rough estimate about the alligators.
There are currently more than 4 million alligators found living in the world mostly in the United States and China. Sadly, there are currently no alligators found in Mexico. Although the country does share its borders with Texas which does have American alligators, there haven’t been any reports of their migration into Mexico to date.
Where To See Alligators In Mexico?
So, you recently saw an alligator in Mexico? No, it is likely that they were crocodiles as alligators are not native to Mexico and aren’t therefore found in the country. But if you want you could find crocodiles here. You could find them in the southeast parts including the states of Tabasco, Campeche, Chiapas, and Quintana Roo.
Also Check Our Guide On Alligators In US
How Common Are Alligators In Mexico?
For alligators to be rare or common, there should be some population of these creatures in a country. But Mexico doesn’t inhabit any population of alligators. Given their preference to temperate and warmer climates, it is understandable and possible for alligators to live and even thrive in an environment such as Mexico. But the case isn’t so. Moreover, the state also has a lower presence of freshwater lakes, which is one of the favorite spots of alligators.
How Big Do Alligators Get In Mexico?
Alligators especially the American alligators are quite big and in fact, are one of the largest animals to live on earth. Typically, you can find them weighing anywhere between 300 pounds to 800 pounds with adult male being bigger than adult female. They also measure just 7 ft in length which can sometimes even reach double times to 15 ft in the remaining lifespan of 35 to 50 years which is quite rare among animals.
These dimensions do signify how dangerous these creatures can be when encountered. But don’t worry, there are no alligators in Mexico and hence you wouldn’t be attacked by one. Just make sure to stay vigilant when near water sources as the country does inhabit crocodiles which are as if not more dangerous than alligators.
Do all lakes in Mexico have alligators?
No, All lakes in Mexico don’t have alligators. Mexico in fact doesn’t host alligators in the country. But it is quite common for people to confuse crocodiles with alligators. Crocodiles are reptiles and have similar features and traits like alligators but are mostly threatened in many parts of the world. Therefore, if you do happen to spot an alligator like creature, know that it is in fact a crocodile.
Can you hunt alligators in Mexico?
No, You cannot hunt alligators in Mexico as there are no alligators in the state to hunt. Typically, animals that need to be conserved are regulated through hunting seasons in each state.
In cases where their population is quite low, then the hunting seasons are conducted only for a few days in a year, and the hunting tags are very small. This is opposite for animals thriving in the areas and affecting nearby life.
Although, there are no alligators in Mexico, they may relocate from regions in USA that share their border with the country. And maybe that time, they may conduct alligator hunting seasons.
Also Check our Guide On Alligators In Wisconsin
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the Alligators in Mexico. I hope this article answered all your queries.
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