Waco’s Unexpected Visitors: Alligators Return to the Brazos River

I am currently terrified at the thought of going into a natural body of water in Waco despite being told that the presence of alligators shouldn't cause concern. I'm afraid of spiders, so I apologize if I'm unable to shrug off the fact that alligators are in the Brazos River.

Hibernation Over: Alligators Return ☀️

Last year, six American Alligators were spotted in the river where it flows through the city of Waco. Many people were surprised that the alligators would be located here, but wildlife experts assured people that event though their presence is rare it's not necessarily abnormal.

Expert Opinions: Calm or Caution?

Throughout the winter months there were no sightings of the cold-blooded creatures, so most people assumed that they had relocated or died due to the extreme winter conditions. However, on March 12, they alligators were spotted in the Brazos River once again. Brian Henley, who works at the Cameron Park Zoo, told KWTX 10 that the alligators were most likely hibernating. They have now come out of hibernation since it has warmed up, and they are most likely looking for food and mates.

The Mystery: How Did They Get Here? ️

Even though the Waco does provide an ecosystem that the alligators can survive in there haven't been any known to live in the area since the 1940's. It is believed that the reappearance of alligators in the area is more than likely a result of someone bringing them in from another location.

Safety Tips: Avoid Feeding and Approach ⚠️

While the experts all agree that the presence of these sharp toothed nightmare lizards isn't anything to be concerned about, they do offer some caution. They stress that you should not try to approach the alpha predators, and you should never feed them. Feeding the alligators will cause them to view humans as a source of food, and that is when trouble will begin to occur.

Also, be aware that if you are caught feeding an alligator you can receive a $500 fine.