A Comparison of Native and Introduced Immature Alligators in Northeast Louisiana

A telemetric study was conducted on immature alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in two north Louisiana lakes, Black Bayou Lake and Wham Brake Reservoir, from 10 April, 1975, through 4 December, 1975. Twenty-three alligators, 11 native and 12 introduced from a coastal marsh habitat were fitted with color-coded neck-collar radio transmitters and their daily movements followed with a directional receiver. Minimum home range sizes varied from 0.8 to 321 hectares for all animals with no significant difference being found between range sizes oflocal and introduced alligators.