What is the Largest Alligator on Record: Facts and History

 

The animal kingdom is full of fascinating creatures. One such critter is the alligator. This reptile is famous for its prehistoric appearance and powerful build. It’s also amazing that some alligators grow to staggering sizes. Some of these large beasts have even left a mark in history.

How big do alligators get? It will depend on factors like age, habitat, and diet. A male American alligator reaches an average size of 10 to 15 feet. Its female counterpart averages 8 to 10 feet. The Chinese alligator is smaller. It has an average size of 5 to 7 feet. So what is the largest alligator on record?

The largest alligator ever recorded is a subject of great interest. It's a distinction held by the Stokes alligator. The Stokes alligator was a massive American gator. It measured 15 feet 9 inches or 4.8 meters long. It weighed an astounding 1,011.5 pounds or 458.8 kg.

A group of gator hunters led by Mandy Stokes caught this record-breaking reptile. They captured it in Mill Creek, Alabama in August 2014. The group stumbled on this giant during the state’s regulated hunting season. It took Stokes’ team several hours to subdue the gator and bring it to shore. The alligator put up quite the resistance due to its immense strength. The sheer size of the Stokes alligator stunned wildlife experts. It was larger than other recorded specimens.

How did Stokes and her team measure their catch? They did this after they brought the alligator to shore.

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