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Can Alligators Be 20 Feet Long? Breaking Down the Myth

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Swamp Fever
Can Alligators Be 20 Feet Long? Breaking Down the Myth

Alligators are among the most formidable reptiles in the world. People know they have powerful jaws and tails. Their dinosaurian appearance only adds to their mystery.

These apex predators can grow to impressive sizes. Some alligators grow 15 feet in length, others reach an amazing 20 feet in length. But can alligators be 20 feet long? This post will look into the science of alligator growth and try to answer that question.

Understanding How Alligators Grow 

The first main species of alligators is the American alligator, or Alligator mississippiensis. The second one is the Chinese alligator, or Alligator sinensis.

Alligators are among the largest reptiles in the world. Of the two main species, the American alligator is more enormous and has a larger population.

How big do alligators get? The average male American alligator can grow 10 to 15 feet long. Female American gators are smaller. They have an average length of 8 to 10 feet. The Chinese alligator is much smaller than their American counterpart. These reptiles have an average length of around 7 feet. 

There are many stories of humongous wild alligators. The largest confirmed sizes of these reptiles don’t go beyond 15 to 16 feet.

Several things influence alligator size. They are genetics, diet, and habitat. Some alligators are just predisposed to growing big. You can say that it’s in their genes.

Diet also plays a major factor in alligator growth. Well-fed gators grow faster and larger than those with limited food sources.  Habitat also affects the size of these reptiles. They need warm climates and large bodies of water. The perfect combination of the two provides ideal conditions for growth. 

Age also determines alligator size. These creatures keep growing throughout their lives. Hatchlings and juveniles grow one foot a year. The growth rate slows down with age.

Can Alligators Be 20 Feet Long?

Countless people believe alligators can grow over 20 feet long. Is this possible? There’s no verified record of an alligator reaching that size in modern times. But there are some historical accounts and local legends that claim otherwise. 

There are several large alligators in history. The most famous one is the Stokes Alligator. This alligator measures 15 feet and 9 inches. A hunting team caught it in Alabama in 2014. It’s the world’s longest alligator on record. You can see its body displayed at Alabama’s Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.

Another massive alligator is Louisiana’s Giant Alligator. Reports say people harvested this 15 feet and 10 inches long alligator in Louisiana. But there are a lot of questions about its official measurements. A viral photograph from 2016 has the same issue. The photo showed a large gator that people said was 17 feet long. That claim is still unverified. Regardless, none of these alligators ever reached the 20-foot mark. 

So why does the myth of the 20-foot alligator persist? There are a few reasons. Exaggerated reports are the main reasons. Hunters and fishermen sometimes overestimate the size of the alligators they see. There’s a reason why “fisherman’s tales” mean improbable stories.

What about those viral photos of giant alligators? It could be the camera angle. Some angles will make the subject appear much larger than they are.  People might have also confused alligators with crocodiles, as they look similar. Saltwater crocodiles can grow more than 20 feet.

Could a 20-Foot Alligator Ever Exist? 

No modern alligator has reached 20 feet. It doesn’t mean that a 20-foot alligator will never exist. An alligator this size is possible, in theory. There are certain conditions required for this to become possible.

An alligator would need a long lifespan. Gators that live more than 100 years can grow more than 20 feet. They should also have a steady and bountiful food supply. Minimal threats from humans or predators will help gators grow larger than usual.


The sad fact is that alligators face many dangers in the wild. They’re still hunted, although not as much as before. They’re competing with many animals for food. The loss of habitat is also taking its toll on the alligator population.

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