ISLAND WILDLIFE
Living With Kiawah’s Prehistoric Predator
You should never approach an alligator. On the
golf course, the USGA’s rules of golf allow for
relief under the Dangerous Animal Condition (16.2).
are near pond edges, interpreting them as prey.
Imagine the world 150 million years ago and you’re
probably going to think of one thing: dinosaurs.
Some recognizable names from that epoch are
the 80-ton Brachiosaurus and the earliest known
bird ancestor, Archaeopteryx. Another name from
that period is even more familiar to residents and
visitors to the American southeast: alligator.
Look around the Lowcountry today and you’ll
see American alligators haven’t changed all that
much from their ancient ancestors. Alligators are
ectothermic: they depend on an outside source for
their body heat. As a result, an alligator’s activity
level varies with the outside temperature. The
spring, summer and late fall are when alligators are
the most active, as their bodies are warm enough
for more movement. People often see them lying
in sunny spots, immobile. This can make people
assume they are lazy or slow, but they are neither.
Alligators are efficient predators, and these
carnivores prey on any animal that is available.
According to the South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources (SC DNR), juvenile alligators
(less than 4 feet) eat crustaceans, snails, and small
fish. Sub-adults (4 to 6 feet) eat fish, crustaceans,
small mammals, and birds. Adults (greater than 6
feet) eat fish, mammals (including deer, cats and
dogs), turtles, birds, and other alligators. Due to
strength and speed, alligators can attack pets that
Alligators generally begin courting in April, followed
by mating in late May and early June. During this
time, you may hear the males bellowing in ponds,
signaling to the females that they are ready to mate.
In June and July, female alligators are laying eggs
and creating nests in secluded areas. All of these
behaviors can lead to increased alligator activity,
such as crossing roads and leisure trails. While it’s
always important to put distance between you and
an alligator, please be especially mindful in April
through July.
The American alligator is a protected species and, in
South Carolina, it is illegal to harass, feed or relocate
an alligator. Limited hunting and euthanasia of
nuisance individuals is allowed with the oversight
of SC DNR.
KIAWAH AND ALLIGATORS
Living with alligators requires vigilant awareness,
respect and caution. Kiawah was intentionally
developed to integrate closely with our incredible
natural surroundings and wildlife, and with that,
precautions must be taken. Alligators are naturally
fearful of humans and will retreat in close proximity,
unless they have been fed or harassed. Alligator
attacks are rare, with only three known fatalities
ever reported in South Carolina, but these animals
must be treated with caution. Never approach an
alligator, whether on a path or on a golf course.
Keep children and pets away from pond edges.
The town and community association share the
responsibilities of alligator management in a
coordinated effort. Over the last decade, Kiawah’s
alligator population has remained relatively stable,
which indicates a healthy ecosystem with balanced
6 | KIAWAH ISLAND DIGEST