Alligator nest update! Out of the 8 nests we located, 3 successfully hatched—though one of those was abandoned. Raccoons were the primary nest predators this season. Now that the hatchlings are out of their eggs, their challenges are just beginning. These young gators face many threats, including birds, otters, other alligators, and even large fish. If they make it through these early dangers, their next big test will be surviving their first winter. We’ll keep you posted as we continue followin

We went alligator nest hunting today! We found quite a few nests! #alligators #nestingseason #farmlife #swamppuppy | Nikki - The Farm Wife The Farm Life

Time waits for no one, and after two months of incubation, these baby alligators aren’t wasting a second to break free and explore, even without help from Mum, who’s inconveniently on a snack break. Fortunately, they’re built for this moment: each hatchling is equipped with a special egg tooth that helps pierce the rubbery inner layer of the egg. Perhaps most fascinating of all, the temperature of the nest determines the gender of the clutch. At 30°C, all the hatchlings will be female; at 33°C a