Look at Our New Green Cay Babies! Just How Does Mama Gator Have 24 Babies?......Very Slowly.
A few weeks ago many of us were treated to something that not many get to see.... Mama Gator and her just new to the world babies!
On August 23 we arrived at the "Gator Hole" in Green Cay. We'd been watching this Mama Gator build her nest since early June.
When we arrived about 7 a.m. you could already see the egg shells in the water. Towards the bank were little baby alligators. The nest was now open... and you could see a gaping hole where the eggs had been. Mom must have been working all night.
We stood on the boardwalk for over 2 hours watching the Mama Gator as she kept an eye on the newborns and then climb back up the nest... very slowly to listen to see if there might be more eggs ready to hatch.
There were times when she looked so tired... resting her head as she went up the nest. She must have been doing this most of the night. Try lying on your stomach and using your hands as if moving back dirt!
Mother alligators build their nests using mud, sticks and vegetation and as this decays it provides warmth for the eggs. She can lay up to 50 eggs and mother gator waits patiently nearby for the 65 day incubation period. During mating season you can usually tell where the nests are when you see mama alligator hanging out in one spot near the bank.
When the eggs are ready to hatch, mama listens for the high pitch croaking noise and begins digging them out, often carrying them down to the water in her mouth. She is careful to watch for those waiting to prey on these newborns... larger birds, snakes, raccoons, otters, large bass and other alligators.
Had I a chair and more camera batteries I would have stayed all day!
This one's for you Barbara T!!
