Fall Foods of Adult Alligators from Cypress Lake Habitat, Lousiana

Stomachs from 111 adult-size (~1.83 m) alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) were collected during September 1981 and 1982. Alligators were harvested from cypress (Taxodium distichum) lake habitat. Reptiles and amphibians ranked highest in frequency of occurrence, but mammals were the most important food items in percent weight and percent volume. Reptiles and amphibians, primarily turtles, were second in importance, followed closely by fish, primarily non-game species. Non-food items comprised almost 25% of stomach contents by weight and volume.